A few months ago I got the bright idea to get Lasik. After years of contacts and glasses I was getting sick of them frankly. Well a few weeks ago that idea became a reality. After asking around and doing a little research I found a doctor to do this. Dr. Lohner has been great. On October 1st, after starting my crazy eye drops, showering, telling myself it was good to do this, and getting a ride I walked into the Excel Eye Center. Turns out I have a thin cornea, which basically means I had to go the PRK route to avoid damage to my cornea. Little longer recovery, little more painful, cheaper, same results in the end. To me not a big deal. After taking a Valium--yes I knew I couldn't have lasers in my eyes without it--they did the attractive prepping. Good thing Halloween is this month right! Soon enough I was hugging a giant fish looking up at the white ceiling. Lots of activity above me, voices getting things ready, double and triple checks being done, and finally my eye being prepped. I remember white times, black times, and red times during the procedure. I also remember the smell of burning flesh a little bit. Dr. Lohner placed the protective contact lense and moved onto the next eye. In an hour I was released a new/semi-blind, really dizzy, and seriously loopy girl. Like all good dads, mine was there to take me home and get me settled. Well in case you didn't know I'm a lightweight when it comes to medications. Needless to say for the 6 hours after my procedure I was out of it. Complete with plastic lids over my eyes for 24 hours. I know I looked hot. Its amazing Jace didn't run away screaming that first day. He must love me.
The next few days were a blur as I listened to--not watched--conference, slept, walked around, slept, sat on the couch, slept, and talked to people. My family and Jace love me and put up with me as a patient. I don't make the best one. Sunday I was starting to get worried because the pain--sharp stabbing needles digging into my eyeballs--was only getting worse with really no improvement in my vision. Only the aching headaches, unforgiving nausea, and pure exhaustion kept causing problems. Which was quite sad because of the amount of sleep I was doing. As Jace pointed out. I was a lot like a newborn. Up for an hour; down for two. On Tuesday I had my appointment. Evil lenses came out. Thought that would fix the problem. Boy was I wrong. my body hates me in a number of ways. To prove this to me once again it pulled out an infection in my eyeballs. I work enough with doctors to recognize "the oh crap that;s not suppose to be there" look. Dr. Lohner had that facial expression after looking at my eyes. So he added another eye drop--to recall at this point I was on 2 antibiotic drops, an anti-inflammatory drop, a tear creating drop, and artificial tears. Every 4 hours! To get on top of this current problem he recommend I do the antibiotic drops every hour for 24 hours straight. All that beautiful ambien induced sleep wasted just like that. Oh well. After hearing this fantastic news--of course my brain took off in the worst case scenarios--hello ER nurse here. I asked for a priesthood blessing and was promised the return of my eye sight in a quick manner. Deep breath everything was going to be okay.
Wednesday was not a good day. I got my shift covered at work but I was getting stir crazy. I couldn't go outside--extremely sensitive to the light still. Couldn't read--hurt too much to focus my eyeballs that hard. Couldn't do much actually. Couldn't go on a walk--big rainstorm. As you can tell I went into big self pity mode. I gave up. I kept busy by watching --listening to -- Beauty and the Beast--which had just come in the mail--still one of my favorite movies. I watched BONES and Gilmore Girls while cutting out pieces to my quilt. No big outside communication. The stress and worry about losing my eyesight and being completely unsure of what was going to happen hit me. I lost it. A hot shower, a good chunk of time in my scriptures and on my knees later, I felt better. An amazing peace settled over me. My faith deeply strengthen, I feel everything will be okay. The Savior does work miracles in this world. Sometimes not quite as we expect but He still does. For me it was the reminder to simply trust in His time. He does have a timing that works out for some reason. A big part of it I think is to help me learn patience. He will never leave me. Gentle but needed tender mercy.
So this morning I woke up, still not clear with the vision, but no pain. I have no light sensitivity anymore. I can see things up close, which means reading and typing more clearly on my computer. Small but amazing steps in being able to see again. The infection is going away--a development from the contact lense being in too long for my eyes. I still can't see very well, but I'm okay. I know I will. Its just figuring out life in the mean time. Having amazing people in my life has helped in many ways. Thank you for putting up with my quiet crying, endless chauffeuring, and continued hugging. As I was reminded in conference, I have a great amount to be grateful for.
How bad my vision was before the Lasik
Saying a happy goodbye to contacts and glasses!
Dani dropping me off! Thanks DANI!!
Halloween came early this month
Dr Lohner & I after zapping my eyes.
High fashion glasses--I thought I was through with them.
Valium knocking me out.
My selection of never ending eye drops.
The next few days were a blur as I listened to--not watched--conference, slept, walked around, slept, sat on the couch, slept, and talked to people. My family and Jace love me and put up with me as a patient. I don't make the best one. Sunday I was starting to get worried because the pain--sharp stabbing needles digging into my eyeballs--was only getting worse with really no improvement in my vision. Only the aching headaches, unforgiving nausea, and pure exhaustion kept causing problems. Which was quite sad because of the amount of sleep I was doing. As Jace pointed out. I was a lot like a newborn. Up for an hour; down for two. On Tuesday I had my appointment. Evil lenses came out. Thought that would fix the problem. Boy was I wrong. my body hates me in a number of ways. To prove this to me once again it pulled out an infection in my eyeballs. I work enough with doctors to recognize "the oh crap that;s not suppose to be there" look. Dr. Lohner had that facial expression after looking at my eyes. So he added another eye drop--to recall at this point I was on 2 antibiotic drops, an anti-inflammatory drop, a tear creating drop, and artificial tears. Every 4 hours! To get on top of this current problem he recommend I do the antibiotic drops every hour for 24 hours straight. All that beautiful ambien induced sleep wasted just like that. Oh well. After hearing this fantastic news--of course my brain took off in the worst case scenarios--hello ER nurse here. I asked for a priesthood blessing and was promised the return of my eye sight in a quick manner. Deep breath everything was going to be okay.
Wednesday was not a good day. I got my shift covered at work but I was getting stir crazy. I couldn't go outside--extremely sensitive to the light still. Couldn't read--hurt too much to focus my eyeballs that hard. Couldn't do much actually. Couldn't go on a walk--big rainstorm. As you can tell I went into big self pity mode. I gave up. I kept busy by watching --listening to -- Beauty and the Beast--which had just come in the mail--still one of my favorite movies. I watched BONES and Gilmore Girls while cutting out pieces to my quilt. No big outside communication. The stress and worry about losing my eyesight and being completely unsure of what was going to happen hit me. I lost it. A hot shower, a good chunk of time in my scriptures and on my knees later, I felt better. An amazing peace settled over me. My faith deeply strengthen, I feel everything will be okay. The Savior does work miracles in this world. Sometimes not quite as we expect but He still does. For me it was the reminder to simply trust in His time. He does have a timing that works out for some reason. A big part of it I think is to help me learn patience. He will never leave me. Gentle but needed tender mercy.
So this morning I woke up, still not clear with the vision, but no pain. I have no light sensitivity anymore. I can see things up close, which means reading and typing more clearly on my computer. Small but amazing steps in being able to see again. The infection is going away--a development from the contact lense being in too long for my eyes. I still can't see very well, but I'm okay. I know I will. Its just figuring out life in the mean time. Having amazing people in my life has helped in many ways. Thank you for putting up with my quiet crying, endless chauffeuring, and continued hugging. As I was reminded in conference, I have a great amount to be grateful for.
How bad my vision was before the Lasik
Saying a happy goodbye to contacts and glasses!
Dani dropping me off! Thanks DANI!!
Halloween came early this month
Dr Lohner & I after zapping my eyes.
High fashion glasses--I thought I was through with them.
Valium knocking me out.
My selection of never ending eye drops.
oh, man! so sorry for the rough time. weston had lasix last summer and during the cutting of his second cornea suction was lost and they "goofed" a little. it caused a longer and more painful recovery for him. it took time but the results have been good. he definitely loves being able to wake up and look at the alarm clock and actually see it! hope you are feeling better. sounds like you have a great guy around to love you and help. good for you!! loves from france!
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