Don't know what to do. :-(

[trachet]

Hi, I had a pre-op at my hospital yesterday. In January I found out I was suffering from a particular form of glaucoma and since then I have had numerous injections, laser treatment eye drops and surgery. At the moment I have no sight in my right eye. I have suffered depression for a long time. This, and the lack of communication from the Drs have caused me to plummet even lower.

3 weeks ago I received a letter saying that I have a pre-op on the 27 October. This was a shock as no one had told me I had to have another op. Also no one, when I phoned up was able to tell me what the op was for. This may sound odd, but it what I have come to expect of the eye dept.

They had lost my file so I found myself having to tell them things like the reason my eyes are blood-shot was that I had injections in both my eyes last week. (£1000 each - thank goodness for the NHS!) For the first time the consultant, who I'd never met before talked to me like a human being. He told me that I will be sedated so I will not know what's going on. The problem is he is operating on my good eye. After the surgery he explained that the eyelid will droop. This means that I will have very little vision. I will be kept in for a few hours and then they want me to go and be looked after with someone. I live alone.

He said that he wants to do the op on Friday. He said that the hospital would contact me to confirm, but I've not heard a thing. If it is Friday no one at the moment can look after me. A friend that said she would always look after me is having emergency surgery next week and is not up to it. My brother and sister-in-law who looked after me after my last op can't because I do not know the exact times of the op and when I will be released. They need to go to the crem as it's the anniversary of her Mum's death. (The crem is halfway between their house and the hospital).

I hate being dependant on people. All my other friends live in single bedroom flats, they are at work, have families or they are not the type of people you want to be around when you are not well. I am so tired of all this treatment. The numerous drops I have to take everyday, the not being able to see and feeling so lonely. Just tired of coping.

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Hi I can totally understand how you feel and it is an awful thing to go through. Our eyes are so precious aren't they?

On the plus side you are getting treatment to stop you losing your sight completely and you are not lumbering yourself with debt thanks to the NHS. It will soon be over so try and look forward to being able to see properly again. If there is no one to look after you tell the hospital and they might be able to arrange something like a distict nurse popping in to make sure you are ok.

I wore glasses full time for short sight from the age of 11 until 10 years ago when I opted to pay for laser treatment. It was a tricky few days afterwards as I too live on my own and I had to have lenses in for 3 days and had no vision at all. My sister popped in before and after work but the rest of the time I was on my own - but I managed. I became quite inventive. I managed to get bathed, get dressed and undressed and find my way to bed at night. I must have looked very funny

I could make myself a sandwich carefully and slowly but the main thing I couldn't manage was to make a hot drink as I kept spilling the hot water anywhere. I did try though and my sister laughed at the mess I left.

Make sure you have everything you need to hand and think ahead to what you might need to buy to help you eg dark glasses to keep the light out. You will come through this and hopefully it will be the last operation you need. Bev x

[Photogeek]

Hi Trachet I'm sorry that your going through the wars, with your eyes, isn't it

Amazing how vulnerable we feel when our health is compromised, living alone like

I do too brings extra problems at times like this.

Bev has written a lovely reply to you Nd I couldn't add much to her sentiments,

Except to wish you a very speedy recovery. Also we are here for you and you

Do sound like a string person . You will get through it as we do.

Please take care of yourself and stay in touch and let us know how you are.

Hannah🎃🎃😇🎀🎀🎀