[Phsstpok]

OK, I'm back and here's the story.

My cornea in my right eye is failing, but we won't schedule the transplant quite yet.  That does mean that at least I wasn't wrong about what was going on, which is actually a relief. He wants to try and stretch out the time before we do a new transplant. He's got me on a new ointment and drops for a month to see if we can slow the progression. Basically this is over the counter stuff that attempts to get my eye to "weep" some fluid by drawing it out with osmosis, thus lowering the internal pressure and lessening one of the factors pushing the cornea to change.

So now I have to do this ointment at night and drops every 10 minutes for the first hour I'm up and then the same every 10 minutes regimen with the drops if my eye starts to get cloudy or the vision changes noticeably during the day.

The expectation is that the vision will continue to deteriorate, but hopefully we can slow that down. My surgeon wouldn't give me any projection until we see how this works, but my expectation is that we'll do the transplant sometime near the end of the year.

Again, as things go, today was a good day. If he'd told me it wasn't what I thought it was then I was worried that it would be something entirely new and, maybe, worse. I've been through a variation on this 3 times over the last 26 years, so I have a good idea of what to expect. They've also gotten lots better at all of it, so on the whole I feel better than I did before seeing him.

We'll have to see how well I can live with the reduced vision in one eye again. Hopefully I won't start getting the headaches all the time like I did around the time of the cataract surgery a few months ago.  I don't know whether it will have any impact on my participation here, thought it is probably a good idea for me to cut back on reading and writing quite so much. I know my boss is going to be just thrilled at this news, but he's been very understanding through all of this. After all, I give him one handicapped person on his roster to count against his equal opportunity goals. <g>

[rodguy911]

You can count on the strength of all 100,000 of us here on FR. Our prayers will all be with you.

[EDINVA]

You have the best attitude! I fully understand that what would seem bad news to most seems okay to you. At least you were familiar with and well educated on your corneal issues and their treatments. Good luck with your interim treatments. We're all pulling for you.

AND, thanks for your weekly work on this thread, it helps me decide whether or not to sleep in on Sunday mornings ;)

[Peach]

Phsstpok - Thank goodness this is what you expected and not something much worse. As you mentioned, the surgery for cornea transplants is better now than years past, but having gone through this and variations so often must be a greater burden than you have let on.

Anyway, I do hope you'll consider seriously cutting back on your reading. I know this means cutting back on freeping and your analysis and participation in events you enjoy so much and are clearly so good at, but to save your eyesight until the time of surgery draws near, I think you should step back a little bit around here.

I'm keeping you in my daily prayers, Phsstpok and will check in with the thread later today to see what kind of malice the MSM plans for us tomorrow!

[stopem]

You are brave and have a good attitude which is half the battle. Your participation in FR and particularly this thread is priceless! God Bless

[Txsleuth]

I should have read the whole thread before posting ...

You are a very brave man...I find your upbeat attitude under the consequences you find yourself, awe inspriring.

I have a tendency toward self pity...and I have no where near a reason to do so.

Phsstpok, I pray that you will not get back headaches and that you will get a new transplant soon...and it will be the LAST you will need.

God Bless you, Phsstpok

[bitt]

see #23

Phsstpok needs some extremely positive energy directed towards maintaining his eyesight......

I pray that you will have incredibly good results from this regimen, that the doctors will claim, "it's a miracle!"...

[trussell]

Prayer ping. Please see post 23 posted on 07/29/2006 12:25:57 PM MDT by Phsstpok {click the number}

Please post your replies to Phsstpok

Phsstpok, Prayers going up for you. God's protection and healing over your eyesight...God's grace and love keep you as positive as you are, rooted in faith...knowing he will see you through.  

Blessings,
trussell

If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

[Pegita]

Joining your FReeper family in prayer that the Lord will bless you with renewed sight, and that this time of waiting will be free from pain and anxiety.

[GreenHornet]

My prayers are with you this evening, asking the Lord to speak a word of healing on your behalf.

[Alamo-Girl]

I join in prayer for your vision!

[Humidston]

Prayers for healing, FRiend. Keep the faith and keep us posted. Now rest those eyes!