Had another post-op appointment to follow up on my third eye surgery. I knew it was bad news by the look on the doctor's face after he examined me. He looked so heartbroken, as if it was he who was being told he'll never see again.
OK, well, it wasn't THAT bad...
As usual, when he first walked in and we had our greetings, he asked if my vision had improved since two weeks ago. I told him it hadn't, that it was like trying to look through frosted glass, just all gray. He examined my eye both with the biomicrocope and then with the hand held bio tools. He informed me that I still have some gas as well as some blood in my eye, but they both are clearing up well.
Next he did an ultrasound on my eye and spent some time at this procedure which is what gave me the first inkling that something was wrong. Usually when he does the ultrasound it only takes a couple minutes and he says things like, "Looks good", etc. and "all is good". Today he was at it for several minutes, and very quiet.
"OK, let's go back to the other room and we'll talk." He said. That's when my heart sped up. That kind of thing is what you hear when bad news is coming.
Back in the exam room he informed me that my retina is still detaching itself in the same area we've been trying to fix all this time. "I'm sorry we couldn't get it to stay, it was a 50/50 chance with this last surgery and, well..." He informed me that I have very little blood flow in my right eye and that makes for a very bad scenario for my poor retina.
"We can try another surgery but I highly suggest waiting for your eye to completely heal first. You still have the hyphema, gas bubble, and the cataract is becoming more dense, these all interfere with your vision. You need time to heal."
I just got a call from my doctors office. He wants to see me this Thursday. He discussed my case with another retina specialist and she will examine my eye and then they will talk it over and see if there is anything more they can do for me. A second opinion is better than one, right? :)
Don't give up. You have been through so much. The second opinion sounds great. Keep up the good attitude. I know it is hard to do but you seem like a super strong and good person.
The fact that you walked home after that news is amazing, Tiki. Heroic and awe-inspiring. I can easily imagine lying down on the lobby floor after an appointment like that. Or climbing under a chair. You're tough and it sounds like right now you don't really have a choice about it. I hope you're getting plenty of love and hugs to help keep you strong. I'm sending you big virtual hugs now.
Thanks for the support, guys. I appreciate it and it helps a lot. I still have one good eye and am doing all I can to keep it healthy. I get a second opinion tomorrow on my bad eye, and hopefully it will be a helpful one. Both my retina specialist and the one that is going to examine me tomorrow are very good doctors. I know I am in very good hands. I have had three surgeries on my right eye since February. They have done so much to try to save what sight I had in my right eye, I guess, maybe, I just didn't get help soon enough. We'll see what happens now.
Well I didn't get to get the second opinion today. The doctor's office called and canceled at the last minute. I was told to expect a personal phone call later today from my doctor to talk with me and reschedule the second opinion.
