Tomorrow, Tuesday, it will be two weeks since my first operation and another two before the second one. I feel fine; sticking to my schedule of administering eye drops and NOT doing anything very strenuous has served me well.
My next appointment with my doctor is next week Tuesday. I guess she will confirm the good progress. The only problem now is that my glasses only fit the right eye, and I find it both difficult and exhausting to make sense of what my eyes see. Although it is nice to see TWO glasses of wine in front of me, or have TWO big sisters sitting at the table opposite of me, I know it is not true, and I find it rather tiring to focus on the real picture.
All this will change once I have had my second operation and, after a certain time, I can have new glasses measured and made.
Last week, my sister and I went for a meal at the farm shop / restaurant out on the fields at the edge of town. It is a popular spot and even more so now that everything was closed for so long. We were out in the open and felt quite safe. Every time someone leaves their seat (for instance to go to the toilet), they are required to wear a mask. The staff wear masks, too, and there are dispensers of hand disinfectant at the entrance and in the toilets.
We enjoyed our meal very much, but then hurried home because the sky looked rather ominous. We made it before any rain reached us, and it was a lovely evening; the first time I've been eating out in I don't know how many months!
O.K. was here for the weekend. We had not seen each other last weekend, as I was still too freshly operated to be either a good hostess or good for traveling. The weather was warm and sunny most of the time. We visited the palace grounds; the roses are so abundant that underneath the rose arches it was like a carpet of red and white petals - so beautiful!
This morning at 8:15, I had my first jab. Everything at the vaccination centre is well organised, and everyone who works there was kind and friendly. I was in and out in about half an hour altogether. Right now, about 2 hours later, I do not feel any negative side effects. While I was in the observation area for 15 minutes after the jab, I felt my arm prickle a bit, but even that has as good as disappeared. Let's hope it stays that way.
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| Sunset last night (Sunday). |
It sounds difficult with, in effect, mismatched eyes. I think I would be going round with one covered up, which would the "aaarrggh!" comment I made last month even more appropriate - it was a refence to the character Long John Silver and the way he was played by the actor Robert Newton with a West Country accent, which has since become almost the default way to play pirates in films e.g. in Pirates of the Caribbean. Once a year in September there is a "talk like a pirate" convention where participants great each other with phrases such as "ooo aaarrggh!" strongly rhoticising the 'r'.
ReplyDeleteI guess it is the big difference that makes it so difficult. If it were just a few dioptres, my brain would not find it so hard to make sense of the it all, but at the moment, the difference is about 7 dioptres.
DeleteThe pirately "aaaarrrrgh" is familiar, but I don't think I have ever come across Long John Silver and the actor Robert Newton. The pirate films I loved to watch as a kid were mostly with Errol Flynn, and he did not "aarrrgh", as far as I remember.
Lovely sunset. Glad you are doing well. I had no ill effects after my first jab - second jab I felt 'odd' for a couple of days but nothing much. (Pfizer}
ReplyDeleteThe left arm is now a bit heavy, not exactly painful, just a little sore as if I had been overdoing the exercising.
DeleteGood to hear that things are progressing in a positive manner. Can imagine the disorientation of different visual field in each eye. Not pleasant. As you say, once you have your second operation and get fitted with new glasses there should be a vast improvement of all things visual. Sounds like you and O.K. had a nice weekend, roaming the beautiful palace gardens.
ReplyDeleteAnd you have your first jab done! Good news. Everyone reacts differently--sometimes depending on which vaccine one receives. Hopefully, you will not be greatly bothered. But helps to think of it as short term pain, for long term gain.
Things that require perspective viewing are particularly weird, for instance filling a glass from a bottle. But it will all be good eventually, I don't doubt it!
DeleteSo far, the only side effect I can feel is a slightly sore left arm.
Glad you are being careful as you recover from your surgery and your jab. Lovely walk photos of the roses!
ReplyDeleteThat carpet of rose petals was incredible! It looked as if someone had decorated that spot for a wedding.
DeleteI'm especially drawn to your photo sporting your NASA tee shirt! I love that you are so interested in the Space Program and I would remind you that I worked as an administrator at the Palmdale California installation where the space shuttles were assembled. During that time I meet several of the astronauts; all delightful. Also, during this time I had the honor and pleasure of actually shaking the hand of Werner VonBraun when he came to visit the project. (I'm sure I told you this before, forgive my aging and spotty memory).
ReplyDeleteDear Jill, I did not know that - and I am sure I would remember if you had told me before! You are the only person I know who has met Wernher von Braun personally. I know he is being discussed controversally, but I still admire him greatly and have one board of my bookshelf full of books about (and by) him and "all things space" in general. Did you also happen to meet Jesco von Putkamer?
DeleteI just happened to be in the outer office of the director of the facility when Wernher von Braun visited and it was a quick introduction as he was escorted into the office. I, too, admire him in spite of the controversy. No, I don't remember Jesco von Putkamer accompanying him on this visit.
DeleteIt must be frustrating with your vision not equal on each side now. It is wonderful that you were able to eat out again with your sister. The mask rules you described are the same as what we had for restaurants here until about a month ago. Our mask rules have been dropped except for transportation and medical offices. Many people still wear them however, especially if not vaccinated.
ReplyDeleteHow nice that you and O.K. were able to visit the palace grounds. Your pictures are beautiful. The carpet of rose petals is almost magical!
I guess that many people (myself included) will stick to wearing masks on public transport for a long time to come. All of last year, we have hardly had any colds and "normal" flus, thanks to people keeping their distance, wearing masks and frequently disinfecting their hands. If it could stay that way, I'd be glad!
DeleteThat carpet of rose petals was indeed almost magical, Bonnie!
I'm sure you'll be glad to have the next eye surgery over and done with, Meike. I love the carpet of rose petals under the arches! So romantic!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for it, Jennifer! I want proper specs and see properly again - not this strange, weird kind of half-vision/double vision I am experiencing now.
DeleteYes, it was wonderful to just sit on a bench there for a while, roses above us and under our feet!
So glad all went well with your 1st shot! And I love the photo of you. You look well and happy. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kay! It was a happy occasion, and I generally feel fine; woke up with a headache this morning which could still be the aftermath of the vaccination on Monday but also simply the rapid change in the weather or me having twisted my spine too much over night.
DeleteIt really sounds so difficult for you seeing. We take for granted our vision, and to have it not work right is just awful. Hoping all gets much better after the second op.
ReplyDeleteI've been to my optician yesterday to have one of my glasses provisorially adapted. Hopefully, I can pick it up today; it should be an improvement even if I'll have to patiently wait until after the 2nd OP for the proper new glasses.
DeleteGlad you didn't experience any major side-effects from the vaccine - the eyesight coordination problem seems quite enough to deal with!
ReplyDeleteIt is a little frustrating, Monica, especially as I thought it would be much better today with an adapted glass for the left eye. Turns out I can hardly see properly this morning. It takes time and patience... not my forte!
DeleteYou have been so strong throughout this ordeal. Keep positive thoughts for the next operation. I'm wishing you the best of outcomes.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jill! Only another few days until the next one, and then I hope I won't need any more operations for the next 30 years or so :-)
DeleteI'm a bit late to the party yet again. I'm glad the jab went well. It was good to read the update on your eyes. As always the photos make me happy.
ReplyDeleteSame here, Graham - more often than not, I become aware of a new post on your blog days after everyone else has commented.
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