The Cataract Is Gone!

After a quick shower early in the morning I got Jack up, gave him a cup of coffee (no coffee for me) and we left the house at 8:00 A.M. -- no food or drink for me after midnight. We got to the out-patient check in and I was heading for pre-op procedures by 8:40.

Lots of different RNs and Techs poking me with sharp things and squrting stuff in my right eye. And all of them asking me the same questions over and over -- hospital rules -- and for very good reasons I bet.

Just before 10:00 they wheeled me into the OR and got me settled in. A nice touch, although the surgeon needs the patient somewhat conscious during the event, when there are particularly ugly things about to happen they turn up the sedation and you conk out momentarily. So I have no memory of needles in uncomfortable places or eyelid clamps etc. What I remember most were the wild, vivid colors during the entire operation. By 10:40 I was done and they were getting me ready for the recovery room and some water to drink at last.

I knew I needed to see the doctor at 7:30 tomorrow morning. I thought it was to get the bandages removed. But when I was awake and ready to leave they tell me I have a 1:00 P.M. appointment today at the doctor's office. And I still need to see the doctor at 7:30 tomorrow morning.

Today's appointment was to remove the bandages, check my eye pressure and instruct me about eye drops and what not to do today. Also, how and when to use the eye patch/shield they gave me.

At home the rest of the day was spent mostly lying down in a darkened room, listening to the iPod and eating the chicken soup I made yesterday. That was a good idea.

There is very little discomfort. The eye itself has no pain. The eyelids are sore and feel scratchy. And one of the eye drops stings them, a lot. I have two eye drops and take them every hour -- five minutes apart. I have made a chart so I know if and when I took them last.

Pre-medication for the eye surgery

Today I began taking anti-bacterial eye drops four times daily in my cataract eye -- three days before the operation.

The Cardiologist's Opinion

The doctor had all my medical records on his computer. And after looking them over and typing in lots of notes he told me there are no scars on my heart. There was no reason for me to come in. I was reminded of the late Gilda Radner's character, Emily Litella, who always said, "Never mind."

He saw nothing alarming except my usual high cholesterol score, as always. His only advice was -- lose some weight.

There were no signs of an earlier "silent" heart attack either.

Why did the two previous docs send me for extra consideration? He didn't have an answer for that one.

Eye Appointment Change

Got a call from the eye doctor. There have been more cancellations. Now I need to be at the hospital's out patient check in at 8:30. Fine with me. Earlier in: earlier out.

Pre-Op Interview for the Cataract Removal

The good part is I don't have to go into the hospital for the interview. The nurse will call me. At 2:00 P.M. I am to be by the phone with all my insurance cards and prescription drugs.

At 2:55 I get the call and the nurse was good and quick and it was over in about 45 minutes. It turned out going to the hospital for an in-person interview would have been faster. Oh well.

I have a new, earlier, time for the operation. And that's fine with me. I need to be at the hospital by 9:45 -- not 10:00. No food or drink for 12 hours prior. I should be released by 1:30.

The Cardiologist's Office Calls

The cardiologist can see me next Thursday at 1:45. Bring all my insurance cards, a photo ID and all my prescription drugs. Come to the office a few minutes early to fill out the usual paperwork.

I love the doctors who have all the medical history and release forms online. Then you can either fill them out online or at least print then and fill them out by hand. At home. At one's leisure.

Test Results

Got a call at 8:00 A.M. from my MD's office. There seem to be no significant blockages of the arteries. This was my biggest concern. However there are some scars on the heart muscle and doctor wants me to see a cardiologist for an exam. Somebody will call in the next few days to make an appointment.