Struggling along as best I can

Makingabobor2

Good luck with the Cataracts @nannygladys.  I had never thought about not being able to drive for a while. Good job we all like walking....lol.  I have some growing, but optician says could be a couple of years, or could be 10 years or more before they need doing, depends on how quickly they grow.  I actually have an eye appointment next Friday, so will see how they are doing then.  Can I ask @joedenise, how was the op? I must admit I am a bit worried about every having to have it done. My dad had his done several years ago and when he said about having to have an injection in his eye to start with and then being told not to move at all while it was being done....well it sort of put me off a lot....lol.  I hate anything to do with eyes, couldn't even get on with contact lenses. 

joedenise

No injections for me!  They used numbing eye drops and then put in a small pellet in the lower lid (smaller than a grain of rice) which was removed shortly before the surgery.

You do have to sit still while the op is undertaken but it was all over in about 7 or 8 minutes so wasn't too long.  You are laid down in a chair which is similar to a dentist's chair with a cushion under your knees so certainly wasn't uncomfortable.

Was able to go home about half hour after the operation was done.

Have to put in drops 4 times a day for 4 weeks.  This is more than most patients who get a reducing regime - ie week 1 4 times a day; week 2 3 times a day; week 3 twice a day; week 4 once a day.  Apparently it's down to the surgeon to decide what regime they think you need - the nurse thought it may be 4 times a day for 4 weeks due to my age and where I live (I live on an unmade road which can be very dusty in the dry - what dry?) so it may be that as well.

My friend had hers done a few months ago and it was done under general anaesthetic as she was so nervous so may be an option for you if you feel it may be necessary but quite honestly it really wasn't too bad.

I've already got a date for the other eye to be done just over 4 weeks after the 1st one.

Not sure if I said but I've had to have the lens taken out of my glasses on that side as can't see through it now!  It looks really odd when I go outside as I have transition lenses so I now have one lens dark and nothing on the other side.  My vision is really good on the side that's been operated on already - 4th day after op so really pleased about that.

Makingabobor2

joedenise said:

No injections for me!  They used numbing eye drops and then put in a small pellet in the lower lid (smaller than a grain of rice) which was removed shortly before the surgery.

You do have to sit still while the op is undertaken but it was all over in about 7 or 8 minutes so wasn't too long.  You are laid down in a chair which is similar to a dentist's chair with a cushion under your knees so certainly wasn't uncomfortable.

Was able to go home about half hour after the operation was done.

Have to put in drops 4 times a day for 4 weeks.  This is more than most patients who get a reducing regime - ie week 1 4 times a day; week 2 3 times a day; week 3 twice a day; week 4 once a day.  Apparently it's down to the surgeon to decide what regime they think you need - the nurse thought it may be 4 times a day for 4 weeks due to my age and where I live (I live on an unmade road which can be very dusty in the dry - what dry?) so it may be that as well.

My friend had hers done a few months ago and it was done under general anaesthetic as she was so nervous so may be an option for you if you feel it may be necessary but quite honestly it really wasn't too bad.

I've already got a date for the other eye to be done just over 4 weeks after the 1st one.

Not sure if I said but I've had to have the lens taken out of my glasses on that side as can't see through it now!  It looks really odd when I go outside as I have transition lenses so I now have one lens dark and nothing on the other side.  My vision is really good on the side that's been operated on already - 4th day after op so really pleased about that.

Thanks for the reply and info. x  Maybe my dad an injection as it was quite a few years ago. Maybe times have (hopefully), moved on these days. Your reply has certainly made me feel better, thanks.

nannygladys

joedenise - thanks for all the info, I hadn't thought too much about the op at all, just the practical bits about food, car etc 🤣🤣 I'm not looking forwards to it but my sight is so bad (I knew it was) I'll be glad to have them done. It can't be any worse than having a tooth out can it, and that didn't hurt one bit??
I was an opthalmic nurse in the 70's and it was a big op in those days, patients were flat on their backs for a few days without pillows and stayed in hospital for about 10days !!!!! Thank goodness technology has improved 😀

nannygladys

kayannie - according to the article I read the cuttings should be taken about now, but if I can't get down the Lottie it'll be in a few weeks. I'm like you I like free plants especially if I've had a go at propagating and it works. 😀
I think I ought to encourage my DD to take me to the garden centre and as I get two free coffees a month I'll bribe her with one and then I can have a look at the nearly dead plants, to see if I could revive any of them that may be suitable. I'm planning on doing the garden next year, so I have a time to plan it out. It sounds if it's big but it isn't, but the soil is very poor and a although it's supposed to be lawn it's mainly moss because of a hedge, so some research needs doing I think 😀

joedenise

I should have said I didn't have mine done on the NHS but at a private hospital (Benenden which I've been a member of for over 35 years).  As far as I know it's done the same way on the NHS as other patients when my friend had hers done were in and out in a similar sort of time - she was just longer because of having a general.

nannygladys

Baron_Dale - i hope it made some sense to you. I'm lucky in so much I have a house and no debt. But I do feel for the oaps still paying rent etc on a state only pension. here we're quite luckily that the local rotary club runs a food hub with a pantry and some free food. I did used to go but felt a little guilty as there are lots worse off than me, especially this time of year as I get most of my veggies from the Lottie. Luckily eldest pays the Lottie rent as a Xmas present as they aren't as cheap as some people believe. So I feel very positive about my situation.

nannygladys

Makingabobor2 - I was told about three years ago (I think) that I had them so wasn't expecting them to advance quite as quickly as they have done, but I knew by my sight getting really bad (in one eye) that something was amiss, I just didn't think it was them!! I think the biggest shock was that I wasn't legal to drive I really didn't think they were that bad🙁 and also that things are happening so quickly!

nannygladys

So today I've been busy again and bottomed the hall stairs and landing! Washed all the paintwork etc and cleaned everything to within an inch of its life🤣 I just have to make sure I spring clean each room in turn, then I can just keep on top of it. I've been having a bit of a sort out through my desk as that's in the hall so I now have quite a bit of shredding to do as well🤣. I think the next room will be the kitchen and dinning room, it's the biggest one as well and it's the one I use the most, so that may take me two/three days, but it will be all worth it and to be honest as I can't drive I've got to do something!!!
I've put another coat of paint on the untiled walls in the bathroom, the next thing to do is paint the ceiling and door and then organise a Plummer to put new wash basin taps on and fix a couple of leaks, look for a new shower curtain and order blinds for the windows. Oh and have a look for tiles or vinyl for the floor and then that's done. And then I can really start on my front room. I have done a little bit of repair work above the window but I want to leave that a while to really harden off before I sand it and paper over it. I was hoping to get all this completed before Xmas but I'll have to see how I go😏
I finally got my washing outside as the rain has now stopped and the sun has come out, so hopefully that'll all dry before I get it in.
Anyway waffled enough and eldest DD came up with a curry for me (off her hubbie) all homemade, so I think I will go and heat it up.
Nannyg 

joedenise

With Wilko going into administration it might be worth having a look to see if they have any blinds which will fit your windows rather than ordering some online.  Dunelm is another place that often has reduced blinds so maybe worth looking in there if you have one nearby.

It's a real pain not being able to drive but at least my DH can take me anywhere I need/want to go.  The boot will be on the other foot in the new year as his cataracts need doing as well but we couldn't have them done at the same time as we live in the middle of nowhere!  He only needs one eye done so it made sense to get mine sorted first with needing them both done.  Will definitely appreciate driving a bit more once I can drive again - you don't really realise how much you rely on a car until you can't drive!