I am so frustrated about my upcoming eye surgery

For what it's worth, we get the run-around here too with repeated tests etc - staff shortages and those who are working battling exhaustion, people being kept on trolleys in corridors for hours as wards unable to discharge patients because they need help/support/care package but no family or neighbours or services avilable to provide, therefore the beds remain in use and no beds free to admit patients who need urgent care. A terrible status quo that's been in play here (UK) for months without respite. Our mighty and much-loved NHS is on its knees at the moment, but we are so grateful to all the doctors, nurses and other frontline staff who worked so hard throughout the pandemic to treat and care for our loved ones who were in hospital, and all the care workers in the nursing and residential homes who also tended to our loved ones during that awful time, many of whom voluntarily separated themselves from their own homes and families and chose to live-in at their places of work in order to provide that care. This country will be forever indebted to them all.

I've had cataract surgery (both eyes) and fortunately (and thankfully) healed well within the time they said I would. It made such a difference to my vision and general quality of life afterward.

I've added you to my prayer list, for swift healing without complication, and I've also added your friend and her sister. Sorry no one else from your local church was available at the time or since, and will pray that someone can step in and provide a helping hand.
 
Bad news - my retina is detached AGAIN! I will need another surgery, but the doctor doesn't want to do it until my eye recovers from the last procedure. I have another office visit scheduled for September 8th where I'll probably get re-evaluated. The doctor is talking about a retinal "patch", whatever that is.
 

A google search.
What is a retinal patch?


A treatment in development since 2013, the California Project to Cure Blindness -- Retinal Pigment Epithelium 1 (CPCB-RPE1) patch consists of a monolayer of human stem cell-derived RPE cells cultured on an ultrathin membrane of biologically inert parylene.
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Wow. That is really advanced. I have never heard of anyone here getting that. I hope you‘re a candidate.
 
Jules said:
Do you have any vision? Was it gas the second time too?
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I have some vision, but it is very blurry and distorted. They used silicone oil the second time, I guess they wanted to see if it made any difference. The doctor said my eye "goes wild" forming scar tissue with makes the retina pucker, then it detaches. It's only been 9 days since the last surgery.
 
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Having had both the oil and the gas, your vision will definitely be blurry until they remove the oil. I have no factual medical knowledge, just support for your fears and frustration.
 
I also want to add that I may have misunderstood what the surgeon told me before about stem cell therapy. Today she said it's amniotic membrane transplantation. Maybe it's almost the same thing?
 
The woman that's been taking me to my medical appointments wasn't as cheerful today. There was a definite change in her attitude. She must have mentioned 5 or 6 times that her lawn needed mowing. I mean she seemed obsessed with doing that chore. If this was going to be a hardship for her, she should have said something beforehand and I could have made other arrangements.
 
Can't you make different arrangements for future appointments, surgery, etc? You don't want her to think she got in over her head. She may even feel she is being taken advantage of. After all, your case has turned out to be very difficult I'm sorry to say.
 
I sure hope the next surgery will sort out your eye problem. This must be so frustrating and disheartening.

On another front, although you're averse to the idea of getting a credit card and setting up online accounts like Uber, it really is quite safe. That's especially true for people who are security minded (like you). I strongly recommend you press through your fears, spend a couple of days or longer researching the safety of credit cards, which are far safer than debit cards or checks, and take the plunge.

You demonstrated so much gumption by moving out of the house your parents left you and ditching many of the possessions they left behind so you could have a fresh start in a home that suited you better. Uber or Lyft can likewise set you free, Deb.

Nobody wants to beg rides from people who feel obligated because they agreed at one time, but as it drags on beyond what was expected, they've become resentful. Uber and Lyft rides are available 24 hours a day and can also be prearranged.
debodun said:
The woman that's been taking me to my medical appointments wasn't as cheerful today. There was a definite change in her attitude. She must have mentioned 5 or 6 times that her lawn needed mowing. I mean she seemed obsessed with doing that chore. If this was going to be a hardship for her, she should have said something beforehand and I could have made other arrangements.
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Have you given this woman a generous $50 - $100 in compensation for her gasoline and inconvenience - or so she can pay someone to mow her lawn? If she declines, tell her you are so grateful for her help that you absolutely insist and will be leaving the money in her car to do with as she likes.

Your driver may only live 4 miles away, but she's waking up in the middle of the night, getting herself and her sister with Alzheimer's ready to go, picking you up, taking you to the doctor, then bringing you home. Of course it's a hardship for her, but she obviously takes her commitments seriously and she committed to you before either of you realized the depth of the obligation.

I wouldn't ask one of my kids to do that for me without throwing money or a sizeable gift card their way, never mind a casual acquaintance from church.
 
I've offered her money, to pay for gasoline, and treat for restaurant meals, but she's refused all. I made a donation to the church building fund in the names of people that have helped me during my indisposition and have told them that in thank you cards.
 
I, too, am nervous about any more eye surgery. The first one made it worse and the second one left me with a dead spot in the middle of my retina, which means I have no central vision in the middle of my right eye. I do have peripheral vision but it's not good. It's impossible to read with the right eye.

They're talking about a third surgery, which I'm leery of. Maybe I should quit while I still have some vision in that eye.
 
StarSong said:
On another front, although you're averse to the idea of getting a credit card and setting up online accounts like Uber, it really is quite safe. That's especially true for people who are security minded (like you). I strongly recommend you press through your fears, spend a couple of days or longer researching the safety of credit cards, which are far safer than debit cards or checks, and take the plunge.
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Great practical advice by StarSong.
If you’re worried about a credit card being associated with your main bank, consider setting up an account in another bank and getting a credit card there. Credit cards are insured for theft. You can arrange to have the monthly balance be paid automatically. Every transaction I make sends an automatic alert to my cell phone, and in my case that also means my watch.
 
debodun said:
I've offered her money, to pay for gasoline, and treat for restaurant meals, but she's refused all. I made a donation to the church building fund in the names of people that have helped me during my indisposition and have told them that in thank you cards.
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From what you've said she's becoming resentful about shuttling you to these appointments.

If it were me I'd tell her I was leaving money in her car and would make it a generous amount. She's done you a huge favor. Imagine what it would have cost if you'd needed to arrange taxis...

If she doesn't want the money she can donate it wherever she chooses.
 
Next surgery date - October 18th. I am looking for a new driver since the woman that's been taking me to my procedures and follow-ups was very cool the last time we went, I am still wondering about that since she could have begged off. I have sent out emails to the church members, friends and relatives I felt would have the time and ability to do it. Haven't heard anything back yet.
 
Received a call from the retina office saying they still haven't been able to contact my PCP and asked if there was another doctor I could see for my pre-op clearance exam. Yeahhhhh...try to get an appointment with a doctor with whom you're not an established patient.
 
The woman that's been taking me to my medical appointmenst sent a message through the church secretary that she and her sister both have contracted COVID. She had to take her sister to the ER because of dehydration. This almost assures me that I will have to look to someone else for transportation. I did the other woman I contacted about it in church yestdrday and asked her if she had received my email. She said she hadn't, so either it got sent to her spam folder or she is ignoring me.
 

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