Saturday, October 27, 2007

I Haven't Been On the Computer Much....

because of my eyes. Yes, again..... will it never end? Yes, it will. I have to have cataracts removed as soon as I say, "Please Doc, I can't see any longer!" He told me just to call before my 6 month follow-up if it comes to that, and they're growing fast now, so my sight has been terrible. The monitor is a challenge.

Yesterday, I went in for yet another outpatient surgery. I had my tear ducts permanently closed by having them cauterized. The shots were the most painful thing. He went into the soft tissue in the inner part below the lower lid and up toward the tear ducts. Not just the needle hurt, but the solution burned like fire. He told me it would, and he was right. I had expelled my 3rd set of silicone plugs, which had been a great help to me when they were inserted by preserving moisture in my painful, dry eyes. I lost the last set when I was on a stitching retreat the weekend of Oct. 12th. I nursed my eyes as well as I could with artificial tears and ointments, and when I came home, I used a humidifier and did my hot compress oil duct message every night as the doctor had taught me to do. I even did it in the hotel room on the retreat. It was a while before I could get in, but I mostly stayed home and protected my eyes; even wore a padded patch over the driest eye (left). The cauterization went fast and took no longer than 5 minutes... tops! I got a little stiff when the nurse said, "Now you'll hear a little sizzle and maybe see some smoke up. I felt a little warmth, but no pain, heard the sizzle, and saw the smoke rise on each eye.
Today, I'm feeling wonderful. I have no pain at all, and my eyes feel like they're completely normal, but it was difficult before the procedure to fight being on the computer. I'm so glad I elected to have it done. My eyes are nearly as moist as they were when I was young and healthy. I never used to think of it till I began having problems. You've all seen me at my worst, so here is a picture of me the day after the cauterization. No makeup for awhile, so here I am with a freshly scrubbed face and only a sheer lip gloss. It ain't pretty, but I'm feeling good. I've quit worrying about pretty and seek comfort more than anything. Click on my picture if you dare, LOL!

I'm not having problems seeing my stitching, and I've been doing that all along, sometimes with one eye. I have done quite a bit on my WIPs, which I'll shoot pix of later, but I had this one on my lap today and just gave it a click

You can even see my bead containers and Lizzie Kate Autumn Scissor Case with Kelmscott's Halloween needle minder all balanced on my jeaned leg. Hey!! One good thing about all my health problems---I've lost 28 pounds and just bought new jeans 2 sizes smaller. I have a My Big Toe design ordered from the Online Needlework Show that says, "Miracles Happen. Keep the Skinny Jeans." And I have, LOL! But I like the new boot-legged jeans, and all my skinny jeans are tapered legs. Whine, whine.....

5 comments :

Sally said...

Nancy, I think you look fantastic:)

You're not having much luck with your eyes are you? I hope you get sorted out soon.

Love the Halloween piece you're stitching.It looks so cute:)

Mary Kathryn said...

So glad to hear you are still able to stitch Nancy! I'm jealous about 2 sizes smaller in jeans - if only!!

:0)

Susieq said...

It was great seeing you and your stitching buddie at the LNS. Have fun doing the doodles. Congrats on the 28 lbs, it ain't easy. I got on the scale today and think I've gained this week, but Tuesday will tell for sure.

Von said...

More healing hugs, Nancy!

Congrats on the weight loss too! :)

Dianne said...

I agree, you look good in that photo-all bright-eyed and bushy tailed. And you lost weight too! Glad things are better and you had fun at the stitching retreat.