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Wednesday 10 February 2016

I can see clearly now......

......if I take my specs off. My new eye is as good, or perhaps better, without specs as my other eye is with them. But things wont be entirely right until both eyes have been operated on and I've new prescription lenses in my spectacles.
My only fear before last Thursday's operation was that my blood pressure would be sky high, though I'd taken a ton of medication, Lercanidipine and Indoramin, in an attempt to lower it. It worked before - but not this time. I'd been told they wouldn't operate if the diastolic bit was above 90. It was 106. "Don't worry, it will come down" the nurse said. In the two hour interval before plodding off to the theatre Nightwish - a Finnish symphonic metal band - kept me relaxed and entertained with their 'End of an Era' album.
I hope it wasn't a portent!
From my window - the Hospital where I'm spending too much time. (Click pictures to enlarge)






   I was first on the afternoon theatre list, scheduled for 2 o'clock but running a few minutes late, as they do. Karen, the anaesthetist, was instantly reassuring and I'd every faith in the surgeon, Mr Musa, so no fears as I shuffled my head into a comfortable position on the operating table. Until nurse said "I'll just wrap this round your arm to monitor your blood pressure". But it was OK, Nightwind had done their job. Nurse later told me it was down to 85 which was quite acceptable. The last thing I remember was chatting to Karen about running....
Then a voice said "You've had your operation Mr Booth".
 "What time is it?" I asked. 
"Quarter to five" the voice answered. 
Gosh, had I been out all that time? 15 minutes later I was wheeled back to the ward where my wonderful partner came to join me, somewhat agitated and wondering why things had taken so long. I'd a sore throat. "Perhaps you're starting with a cold" some dumb male nurse had opined in Recovery. Sorry, but he should have known about cuffed tubes...
Looking across the valley to the wilds of West Nab
"Get dressed when you're ready, but we can't let you out until you've been to the bathroom" nurse said.  I'd had nothing to drink since 7.30 in the morning, so nothing to go to the bathroom for. What's more, my legs felt to be buckling whenever I tried to stand, let alone walk. I eventually managed to shuffle across the ward and back singing a chorus of Summer Wine (honestly) but not quite as elegantly as Lana del Rey dancing on that beach. By 6.15 I was on my way home - but far from rejoicing. I felt absolutely terrible.
I can see clearly now, the rain has gone
 My sore throat wouldn't let me eat anything so I'd three glasses of chocolate milk, then off to bed. I'd to be up at 7am next morning for another appointment with Mr Musa who was dumbstruck to learn I'd been discharged from Hospital with no drops or medication. He shot out of the consulting room like Usain Bolt starting a 100m race and hurtled up to the ward to give Sister a severe reprimand. Due to lack of medication, pressure had built up overnight in my eye and had to be released.

Alright for some - my physio out for a run
  Anyway, things are looking up, so to speak, and I've managed to type all this without wearing specs, which would have been impossible before. I met my physio, Ian Sinicki, while out for a walk today. "Where's your glasses?" he asked. I told him I could see more clearly without them, albeit a little disorientated, "The ground seems to be in a different place" I said, "and my feet have difficulty finding it". It was frosty too and I went crashing to the ground in one spot, going back down the hill. For the life in me, I daren't run....
But I will, one of these fine days!

15 comments:

  1. I'm delighted to 'see' that things are improving, it won't be too long before you're pulling your Walshes on again :-)

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    1. It's going to be longer than I thought JJ, but the rest might do me good and it will give our sodden landscape time to dry up. Thanks for dropping by....

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  2. Well things can only improve ... but perhaps a little patience may be needed!
    I'm so pleased the operation went ahead, and you were able to type up this post to share with us all.

    Take Care and please do as the Doctor orders,

    Wishing you a speedy recovery

    All the best Jan

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    1. I'm afraid patience can turn to frustration when I can't run Jan. Feel I need some sun on my body, but no time to jet off between appointments and 4 hourly drops. Grrrrr.
      ....but all the best to you.

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  3. Not knowing where the ground is can make running difficult, so best you stick to a couple of walks first.

    So here's to some great weather so when you do head out the views will go on forever!

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    1. It's hard to explain Coach. Whereas the ground seems 4'6" away to the Lt eye, it's only 4' away to the Rt one which is a bit disorienting. I'm OK on the flat when looking straight ahead but all over the place in the rough stuff - which is where I usually am!
      Wishing you many happy runs.....

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  4. Ah, what fantastic news! You'll be bounding over the hills again in no time!

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  5. Thanks Karien, but there'll be no bounding over the hills until I get the other eye done and some prescription spectacles made up, though I was hoping to be able to run without them. In the rain, even! On the positive side, I've a lot to look forwards to. Cheers!

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  6. Great to have you back. Hopefully your eyes will be good now for another 80 years.

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  7. Just one eye so far Gordon, but we're half way there. Hopefully the Lt eye will cause less problems. Cheers!

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  8. Glad the first eye is on the mend now Gordon. How long until you can have the other one done? Take care of yourself and try to be good and not run (as if!) for a while to let it heal, Susie x

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    1. Hopefully less than 6 weeks before the operation on my Lt eye Susie. I've told the surgeon I want everything to be over and done with, and new specs, before a holiday in May. You'll probably have run another three marathons before then! Carry on knitting...Cheers x

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    2. I'll have completed more than 3 marathons by then Gordon (fingers crossed, touch wood and all that!!!). Good idea to get everything out of the way asap so you can get on with your life. x

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  9. Wishing you a steady recovery! I understand the frustration of not being able to run.

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    1. Thanks Barbara, but as I said to JJ above, the rest will probably do me good. I'm banking on it......
      Cheers!

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