An Eye For An Eye
Nothing is ever simple. I’ve been experiencing diminished sight in my right eye for several months. At my last eye appointment, the doctor confirmed that I do indeed have cataracts. It is my understanding that these were probably caused by taking Prednisone. So I can add cataracts (on both eyes) to all the other wonderful things this drug has added to my life - hump back, hair-loss, facial hair, big belly, ugly red marks all over my arms, and also a bad attitude. Or so Tom says. Can you tell I’m pissed and a little discouraged. Monday I went for a pre-surgery cataract evaluation. The young girl who was doing most of the tests kept doing one test over and over. I kept asking if there was a problem and she kept assuring me that there was no problem. She finally announced that she couldn’t put dilation drops in my eyes until the doctor had checked something. I started to get a real strange feeling, so I went to the waiting room and asked Tom to join me in the examination room.
The doctor came in and the following are exact quotes - from his lips to my keyboard. “The cataract on your right eye has become dangerously large.” As my heart started beating dangerously fast, he added, “If I dilated your eyes right now you could go into a glaucoma attack and be blind in less than 24 hours.” Tom and I sat there open-mouthed - simply stunned. He asked the receptionist to get me an appointment with a glaucoma specialist a.s.a.p. We came home and I spent two days trying to process this information. I just kept picturing myself feeling the faces of my grandchildren as they grow because I will be blind. I know it sounds like I’m having a pity party, but keep in mind that I’m the lady who went under the knife for “simple” bypass surgery and came out of said surgery having lost 65% of my healthy heart tissue. So - my track record ain’t the greatest.
My appointment was at 9:30 a.m. this morning and at 11:00 a.m. I was still seated in the waiting room. Pissed doesn’t even begin to describe my anger. The good news is that I really liked the doctor. He will be doing laser surgery on both my eyes. The laser will burn a small hole in each eyeball to create a new drain and thus relieve the pressure behind my eyes. We will attack the cataracts when the laser surgeries are over. He said that after surgery, I will no longer have Glaucoma and will be as good as new. I’ve heard that old song and dance before, but I do have confidence in this guy.
When I checked out I was told that my copay was $60.00. I promptly wrote a check for $35.00. Then the money taker lady said that I had misunderstood the amount I owed. I quietly explained that I charge $25.00 for waiting, and that I had waited for over an hour-and-a-half. I told her she should be happy that I gave her a half-hour freebie. She didn’t say one word. I also wrote “Paid in full” on my check. As I was gathering my things to leave, it did dawn on me that I had just refused to pay the guy who would soon be cutting holes in my eyeball with a laser.
He must have over heard the whole exchange, because as I opened the door to leave he approached me, gave me a small hug, and said, “Don’t worry about a thing. I appreciate a woman with attitude.” Phewwwwww.
Anonymous says:
Hang in there AZW. You’ll have beautiful working eyes to match your beautiful working heart.
Anonymous says:
The AZW is certainly a woman with attitude; this doctor is in for a treat! You are going to be good as new in no time; we’ve been through this stuff before. Besides, I am pretty sure Weezy has peaked. She couldn’t possibly get much cuter. See you soon! XOXO
Anonymous says:
Glaucoma, huh? Sounds like time for a visit to your local MaryJane clinic…
Good luck with this new crisis, though.