Eye Update:
So I had the Avastin injections on Tuesday 11 October 2011. First injection was not sore, but the 2nd one I could feel. While the doctor stuck it in my eye, I let out a little gasp sound. Couldn’t help myself. The doctor said I am his best patient. So, all in all, it wasn’t too bad.
Then on Thursday 13 October 2011, it was time for my Vitrectomy, ugh!
Sugar: 6.2 - Went in and got anesthetic, woke up 5 hours later, feeling very very nauseas and eeuw. Wanted to throw up the whole time, ugh! Then the doctor came around and said that I must immediately lie on my stomach face down. My retina had detached and shrivelled up. It was floating around in my eye when they went in. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! And there was still a sheeth of blood in my eye - that should clear on its own.
1 whole week 24 hours of the day, I had to be face down. My back was in such a spasm. Got loads of eyedrops to throw in every few hours. Then on Tuesday 18 October (my anniversary), I got this intense eye ache, and my hubby rushed me to the doc. The pressure in my eye had gone up to quickly - 27. So he gave me a tablet and some drops for that. And a cataract has already grown - No! I have 3 stitches in my eye, and he trimmed them down, because I could feel them in my eye - Not sore at all!
Needless to say, my boss ain’t very happy that I have been off work for this, so I am back at work from 24 October. It’s not black anymore, there is deffinitely some light I can see, but everything is still blury and patchy. My doctor says it can take 1 1/2 years for eye recovery, and only then we will know what my final vision will be.
I am trying to be patient, but it feels like my life has been placed on hold, and I am so scared of losing my job.
All I can do is hold on to Christ for strength.
So sorry that you have had to endure so much Vikki. I can’t believe that you must go back to work so soon. Hopefully, once you have healed, you will be able to find a better job with a more understanding boss!! I admire your courage. Stay strong! Joanne
Wow, today is World Diabetes Day! And today it has been almost 4 weeks since I have had my vitrectomy in my left eye. Today I am doing 3 things, first I am going to my cancer doctor to discuss if I have to have more radiation, 2nd I am having more laser done in my good eye, and 3rd I am having more laser in my bad eye. Not looking forward to today, but what can I do? Can only see light in my bad eye. was hoping that the sight would come back quicker. my hope is fading fast... oh well, will just have to move forward, step by step each day :-(
So far, so good! Cancer doctor is very happy with my blood resuts, now I just have to go for a sonar :-) As for my eye, there is still a little sheet of blood, so they couldn't laser my "bad" eye, but he managed to laser my "good" eye with about 600 zaps! Shoe, I was feeling nauseous and sick afterwards, but ok. Will see the doctor again in 2 weeks to laser the "bad" eye. Everyday, step by step.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep working at it and let us know how it goes. I am just about to the one year mark and can almost read a page of normal type without a magnifier. Almost. So happy to have what I do, but hoping for more. Best wishes Vikki.
Had my cancer check-up yesterday. It seems there is a lymph node that wasn’t there before. The doctor says we will check again in 6 months to see what it does. As for my eye, I went for more laser, and the doctor now thinks I have a macular hole He says there is still alot of scar tissue and it looks like its pulling on my optic nerve Going to have another vitrectomy and macular hole repair in January 2012, and he might remove the cataract as well. It seems like my life is a never ending story of crap! It started like this last year, and now its just repeating, feel like giving up!
I'm so sorry Vikki. Keep fighting. It's all we can do.I had injections again last week and do laser in both eyes again tomorrow. I was so excited a couple weeks ago because I was beginning to see better. Then it got worse again, so here I am. This disease is a pain in the ■■■, no doubt. I know it is not much help, but hang in there Vikki. I don't know what else to say, but do hang in there. Don't give up. You are always in our thoughts and your fight means more to many of us than you may realize.
Eye Update 17 January 2012 My bad eye has not gotten worse, although they need to operate on it again on Thursday 19 January due to some more scar tissue that needs to be removed, and a new lens to be inserted and cataract removed. As for my good eye, there are a few more blood vessels since December, which is not good, but they will do some more lasering once I am asleep. Not looking forward to all of this! Hopefully he does not have to put the silicone oil back into my bad eye, because I really don't want to be face down for 2 weeks. That was worse than the operation itself! But I will trust that Christ will get me through this, and with the power He raised Jesus, He will give me back my sight, Amen!
So I had my 2nd operation on my eye. They removed the silicone oil that was holding my retina in place. It seems like my retina has attached, so they didn't have to put a new silicone bag into my eye. They removed some more scar tissue, and took away the cataract and replaced my lens with a brand new one! Doctor sayd my retina is still badly damaged. They gave me loads of stuff to eliminate my nausea from the anesthetic. Was a bit nauseous, but not too bad. They also did another 2500 laser burns on my good eye, which seems to have gotten worse. Had my stitch taken out yesterday. Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, just burnt a little. Now its the healing process. Keeping faith that miracles happen, through God's grace.
Praying you have a good recovery Vikki. Your struggle is a sobering reminder and an inspiration for all of us. The very best wishes for you and your family.
Update on the eyes: My bad eye is still pretty much the same.
As for my good eye, it started to bleed on my birthday (25 Feb). Went to the doc and he said it has blead between my gel and retina, which means it will not drain by itself, so an operation on the good eye was sceduled for 1 March 2012.
The operation went off very well, thanks to all the prayers and for Jesus working miracles through my doctors. The doctor scraped off the cartilage and sucked out all the blood, and did another 2000 laser burns. My vision is slowly coming back. I am however sitting about 10cm away from the computer, while I am typing this - LOL! It was pretty scary though, because I have no vision in my left eye (bad eye) and I had a shield over my good eye (right eye) I was completely blind for 4 days. Got a few panick attacks, but managed to calm myself :-)
My fur baby Zorro lead me around the house, much to my surprise! I just held onto him wherever I wanted to go. Strange how they just know when you need them.
I just love my fur babies!! Other than that I am just holding on to Christ, knowing that HE will get me through anything!
I'm so glad this operation went well for you Vikki. You are so brave and an inspiration to all of us. I also agree that dogs and even cats can be a great comfort and help. It is amazing how in tune they are to their people. They are truly blessing.
You take care and keep up the good fight. Best wishes and prayers.
New update on the eyes: My right eye (good eye) is still very good. No new vessel growth or bleeds. Vision is better than 20/20 - Yay!!! As for my left eye (the bad one), the cartlidge is pulling on the retina again, and there is now a macular hole! 4th operation scheduled for Thursday 26 April 2012. And again I will have to be face down for 1-2 weeks, as they probably will be placing the silicone oil back into my eye! I managed to find a massage bed with a hole where you put your face in, perhaps this time it will be a bit better.
Left eye is doing good, only seeing some light. But at least everything is stable. No new vessels growing. Went for more laser yesterday and had 2500 laser shots. All in all a good day! :-)
