November 6X6

Hi Kristine,

I've put your name down for the Nov. 6x6. It will probaby be close to the first before I put up the partner list so you should be fine by then or I pray you are. Gee, I don't know if I could get use to not wearing my glasses, had them since I was 16.

Hugs,

Nora

Nora, I had the surgery, and it was the greatest thing I ever did! I had worn glasses since I was 14, and it is sooo wonderful NOT to need glasses.

Hugs, Katherine

My brother-in-law also had this surgery and was amazed at how clear everything was when they removed the bandages.

I think I would tend to freak though, at seeing the lazer machine getting closer to my eyes. I am told that you are awake when the surgery is done, just sedated. They would have to almost knock me out to sedate me enough not to freak or at least blink with something coming toward my eyes. Although I *would* love the outcome afterwards. :o)

So, you don't need glasses for reading, computer work, driving, or anything at all anymore, Katherine? That would be so cool to have good strong eyesight like I used to have. Even with glasses on, I have to strain to see when threading a needle, and I used to do it all the time for my Mom with no problem at all.

Gem>> Hi Kristine,

I had RK 10 years ago, and just had a Lasik touch up. Don't know why you won't be able to drive? I had no problem knitting, watching TV, reading or driving. My vision went from 2400 to 20/25 immediately after the RK surgery. You will love it. DA

Seriously? Well my neice was the one who told me about her Dad's surgery... that's likely where I got the mixup from.

Weren't you afraid that you might inadvertantly move your eyeball? I have this thing about my eyes and my fingers. If I hear about someone else having something done to their eyes or fingers (like a cut, or whatever) my stomach churns and I swear I can feel it happening to me too. That is the main thing that would hold me back from going for the eye surgery... I would be afraid that I would freak out on the table.

Like when I had to have a tube (tiny as it was) put down my throat for the gastrointestinal specialist to check out what was going on in my stomach. They sprayed my throat and told me that I wouldn't feel a thing... guess what?... I felt it and almost hurled on the doctor even though I hadn't eaten and my stomach was empty. I have a low gag reflux, and the slightest touch of that tube set me right off... it felt HUGE to me.

Gemini

They say I can't drive for at least a week after the surgery. I decided to have the PRK as opposed to the LASIK because from what I understand with the LASIK you have a flap and although rare it can come un loose from your eye. I decided not to take that chance. I am so exicted. I have one more day to wait. I feel like it is Christmas Eve and I am waiting for Santa to come. Kristine

Hi Gem, The other day for my pre-op they had me lay on the table and shown the laser in my eyes to "map my eyes" so the laser would know what to do. It was kinda of freaky. The doctor did not do that it was two eye techs and one did the laser thing and the other held my eye open and I covered my other eye. I don't think they give you any thing to relax just something to numb your eyes. I guess for the surgery they have some type of insturment to keep your eye open. I did a lot of research because I am worried they will make a mistake but everyone I talked to would do it over again. I figure I am safe having the Army do it--if they screw up they will have to pay me disability and I figure I am worth more to them being able to see. Kristine

You are told to stare at the light. It only takes just a few seconds for each eye. I don't know about Canada, but in the US, Lasix and RK are considered cosmetic, and not covered by most insurance companies.

Lucky you,they crammed it up my nose and told me to swallow when I felt it (NG tube) hit my throat. Guess when they have time they try to make it easy for the patient. DA

I was awake for the surgery, and it was a bit freaky. I spent the next 24 hours doped up on Valium and Demerol. Then the next day, I couldn't even read the headlines in the newspaper, and I just about panicked! I figured that I had ruined what was left of my vision. Not so! I can read, knit, cross stitch, drive, and do whatever I want to with no corrective lenses. It was outrageously expensive, but worth every penny.

Katherine

I had no bandages, Gem, and my eyes were held open with a speculum - think of the thing that they use when you are having a pap smear. They were anesthetized so that I couldn't move them.

I can't do the tube down the throat thing without being asleep.

Katherine

Well I had my surgery today. I guess everything went well--I can still see so that is a good sign. They gave us some Tylenor #3 and the military's wonder drug--motrin or the generic form thereof. I wonder if it would be a conflict of interest to find out who supplies the Army their motrin and start buying stock in the company. Well anyway I have only had to take two Tylenol #3 and one motrin. That was about 4 hours ago. Things are pretty blurry but I can still knit (I worked on a few rows of the sweater I am making my niece). My eyes are still dilated so I think that is why things are blurry becasue the last time they dilated my eyes everything was blurry for the rest of the day. I plan on getting in a lot of craft work this week as I am behind on my Christmas presents. Kristine

Wonderful. Take a nap and when you wake up things will be a lot clearer. DA

Hi Kristine,

That's great news and just rest like DA said and the pupils will come down to normal size that much faster.

Hugs,

Nora

Kristine, I am glad to hear that the surgery went well.

Janise

Great news, Kristine. Your surgery was definitely easier than mine - I wasn't knitting the first day, or using the computer either!

Katherine

Katherine, I don't think I am supposed to be doing that. But I was really bored so I decided to try it. It was stockinette stitch and since I am used to knitting and watching tv I really did not have to look at it that much. Kristine

But at least you were able to. I certainly wasn't that first day or so!

Katherine