The eyes have it
Drink to me only with your eyes
Keepers creepers where’d you get those peepers
This little tale is dedicated to Dr. Rauen(alias Dr. Hunk) and his great team at the Wolfe Eye Clinic and Surgery.
Chapter One
“Through a glass darkly..” I Corinthians 13:12 KJV
I first noticed a troublesome change in my vision when the view through my car windshield became smokey. At first I contributed it to air pollution but when lights in the living room began to bloom halos like the headlights when driving at night , I made a visit to my optometrist. I knew that there were cataracts in my future but up to this point I had not noticed a marked difference in my vision. She confirmed that I was definitely a candidate for the cataract procedure and made me an appointment with Wolfe Eye Clinic.
As I waited for some weeks to pass before my scheduled visit, I discussed the process with close friends who encouraged me. I watched a video outline what could be expected. When my assessment appointment began I was impressed with the quality of the written materials provided about the various options for lenses. The team at the clinic were friendly, helpful and efficient. I met the doctor who would be doing the procedure and my schedule for surgery was set. The only glitch in this process was that they had the wrong phone number in their system. I did call to confirm my appointment the day before bring quite familiar with Murphy’s Law. Information regarding cost of the process was provided.
The wait for the surgery date was about four weeks giving me time to schedule the pre op exam with my doctor. The day before the surgery I was given the exact time and instructions for preparing for the process. It early morning. I arrived at 7:20 AM and was on my way to lunch by 11. I had picked up prescriptions for eye drops and started them two days before the procedure date.
The whole process from check in, to paperwork was well organized. My daughter was sitting in the waiting area and I was led back to the cubicle where I was made ready . I don’t recall much of what happened after I was taken to the operating room. I must describe this first prep and waiting process as there was considerable difference between the way I was treated with the first eye and the second eye three weeks later.
The nurse who helped get me ready was having a bad day. Maybe she did not have time for her morning coffee. She was cold, borderline rude and did not give me a chance to ask questions. Her directions about changing clothes were confusing and she offered no help. The insertion of the needle for the anesthesia was very painful. No apology there. I was told that the anesthesiologist would come and talk to me. A man came in, shuffled some papers and I don’t think he looked in my direction. Again I do not recall his offering to answer questions. I do remember Dr. Hunk coming to see me with a warm greeting. I loved teasing him about being so handsome. It was the only friendly gesture before the surgery.
The nurse who wheeled me to the operating room and those working there were kind, helpful and made every effort to make me comfortable. I was out like a light with the first drop of sleep juice. I don’t remember much about the recovery time but do know the written directions for post op behavior were given to me with a letter for my eye doctor and a follow up appointment with her had been made.The only oral directions I remember getting were from the nurse who wheeled me to be picked up. I asked her about bending over and she told me not to do it for long and not to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. Of course all the directions were provided in the instructions that were sent home.
Chapter 2
“What to my wondering eye should appear”. A Visit From St. Nicholas Clement Moore 1823
Even before the dilation of my newly restored eye wore off , a peek at the world around me showed a brilliant difference. I closed my left eye and looked through the one with cataracts immediately noticing the yellowish tint that using that eye revealed.
Yikes. Had my recent drawings and paintings been influenced by this yellow filter? This thought made me even more eager to get my other eye rescued from the yellow mist. I enjoyed watching old black and white vintage movies. It was a shock to discover I was not seeing true black and white or true color for that matter.
I had been alerted by friends about the eye drop regimen and discovered the very helpful schedule charts. While it looked like three months of drop therapy , I was not daunted.
I wanted to cover the yellow eye and just watch tv with my good eye. Checking with Dr. H , was advised to keep wearing my glasses. The problem was with my double vision which meant I need a special prism in my prescription. This meant I could avoid seeing two captions on my tv and continued sharp view of most print. As my new eye continued to heal, I learned my new eye could not read small print.
I was not a bit disappointed in the process so far. My next surgery appointment arrived. It was later in the day. The check in process went smoothly. My nurse, whose name was Jackie, was friendly, efficient and cheerfully answered my questions. Doc H stopped by and told me he would see me soon The insertion of the needle in my hand got the
IV was totally painless and I thanked Jackie for her fine touch.
The anesthesiologist was a young woman. Sorry did not catch her name. She verified my identity, my allergies and asked me about side effects from anesthesia used in first surgery. I asked her what was used as an anesthesia. She told me what the drugs were being used and I recognized fentanyl. Since they seemed to work for the first eye they would be used again,She explained the process by which they were administered. She was pleasant and professional.
Shortly after this another nurse came by and wheeled me to the operating room. I was hoisted on to the table and made comfortable.
Now I must tell you, dear reader, what happened next was one of the most
amazing experiences of my life. I was partly conscious during the procedure and could see what was happening to my eye. There no discomfort but I saw big white fuzzy blobs that looked like the knuckles of a white glove . Some of the times around this was a grey smoky color and then darker black around the edges of what was always a glowing white or yellow circle. I think I may have seen a glimpse of dark blue or green. I could hear the conversation of the staff, the doctor’s voice and his direction about something he wanted that I think he said was green. Time passed quickly and it was over. I felt the tug of tape being pulled from my face and other things being removed from around my eye. They helped me off the table and on to a chair.
Back in my cubicle I was ready to get dressed. The doctor came by to see me and I told him I remembered the experience. He gave me hug and I promised to write him about what saw and heard.
When I got home, I immediately drew a picture of what my eye saw as it was being fixed. It is included this document.
Chapter 3
I can see clearly now the rain has gone.
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun shiny day
Song my Johnny Nash / I Can See Clearly.
So I soldier forth to complete my drop medication assignment, get fitted for my new glasses and go back to truer colors in my art work . My new eyes don’t focus well on close type but I was able to find a very old pair of glasses that magnify print so I can write on my phone and read texts and email. In the next few days before I can get new glasses I will see how these work on my computer.
This story of my recovery does not really end until almost Christmas when I hopefully drop my last eye drop. You might expect to see this on my website in a blog.. and I continue the story of seeing the world through new eyes. website address.
I am grateful that Mother Nature did not reveal her glorious fall colors till just this week and doubly grateful for the care and skill that has enabled me to see them.
After living over 80 years I continue to marvel at the advances in medicine that greatly add to our quality of life and the people like those at the Wolfe Clinic that make it happen,
Leave a Reply