It Takes Time To Be A Patient Patient - Cataract Surgery
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
Canada
May 26, 2017 8:05am CST
I live in a “Wonderful World” and take too much for granted. I tend to be a positive person and look ahead with anticipation of all the best there is in life.
I have talked to and heard so many people's comments about cataract surgery I just assumed it would be a piece of cake...
I don't like that kind of cake.
Prep for surgery was easy and fast, the wait for my turn seemed to be hours but it wasn't, the surgery was fast (maybe five to ten minutes) and then it started to be hell on earth..
My eye was in pain. Not fainting pain but more than I expected from this piece of cake surgery. That and the fact I couldn't see out of the eye and light hurt it, didn't help. I wondered if I would be walking forever with my new eye closed.
When I got home and looked out the window all I could see with my new eye was fog. There had been fog early in the morning but there was no fog out there now. But that is all I saw.
I had some lunch, put the drops in my eyes that I was told to do and took a nap. I slept like a log and awoke with a more positive attitude but still seeing a lot of fog in the eye and a Lot Less Pain...
I had a same day appointment with my surgeon and she and her staff looked at my eye and she told me that was normal and by tomorrow you will be feeling 100% better.
It takes time and to be a patient patient
She was right. Today is a new day, the pain and fog is gone and life is beautiful again.
My mistake was not doing the research to see what I was getting into. I have so many friends who said its so worth it and its easy... and in the long run it was. I was expecting instant gratification.. (lesson learned)
Would I do it again? YES but now I know from experience it is not a piece of cake, its surgery and with surgery comes pain and stress.
There will be drops three times a day for many weeks, I wear a hard plastic cover over my new eye while I sleep and will do that for two weeks. I can't shower or wash my hair for two weeks. My hair dresser may see me more than usual for the next two weeks.
I'm guessing since I can't drive, or go to the Y (no chlorine allowed) for a couple of weeks you might get tired of seeing me here on myLot and I know I will be painting a lot too...
22 people like this
25 responses
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
26 May 17
I'm pleased I am seeing as well as I am. I know now its harder than people say but often with time we forget the bad and just remember the good. I'm in good shape now.
3 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
26 May 17
Didn't paint today but I think tomorrow I will be doing just that! 
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 17
@DianneN didn't paint today either but for sure...tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@Nawsheen (28644)
• Mauritius
28 May 17
@PainsOnSlate thats good to hear. So you started painting
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
27 May 17
its good to hear your dad is doing well. I have had one done and the other will be done soon - about two weeks between. I am feeling fine now and love the new eye....so clear and bright.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
28 May 17
@PainsOnSlate I am thinking of seing another Ophthalmologist and hear what he has to say.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
31 May 17
@marlina I would be doing that too. Good luck.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 17
I can understand your frustration and I an hoping that doesn't happen to me. Fingers crossed... So far, so good, its improving daily.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
28 May 17
@PainsOnSlate I am glad it worked, I had no restrictions after the laser surgery.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
1 Jun 17
@LadyDuck I am driving now and back into water aerobics, Laser was not an option for me... will be using drops for up to 8 weeks..
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 17
Interesting to hear that even in laser you had fog and pain. I am happy to be feeling good. I actually had a shower this morning, my hair was looking ugly. My husband made me water proof over and around the eye and it worked.
1 person likes this
@Jdaw1985 (3967)
• Harrells, North Carolina
26 May 17
My dad had that done on both of his eyes at different times of course. He ended up having to go back not to long ago (not sure when he had it done) to have something else done to it because he got that fog back over the top of his eye and they had to go in and remove it but they told him that only like 1 our of every 10 people get that again that it is very unusual but it does happen.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
27 May 17
I hope that doesn't happens to me but at least I have a great doctor that I trust and who will make it right. it is awesome to see clearly out of the eye with the new lens - I am pleased so far...
@Jdaw1985 (3967)
• Harrells, North Carolina
28 May 17
@PainsOnSlate yeah if you do have to have it done i thunk it is a quick thing and you will not hurt i can not remember for sure.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62132)
• United States
26 May 17
I think it's part of our "instant" society: we want it fixed and we want it now. It's also probably because most of us don't like to feel bad. Healing is definitely "hurry up and wait," and I've found that one of the most difficult things in life is being patient enough to let the body heal. It will in its own good time (that's how God made it), but most of the time the body's schedule and my schedule aren't adhering to the same time clock!!
Hope you're back to normal very quickly.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
27 May 17
i actually feel normal and its just day two home. And I agree we often push ourselves and healing does take time.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
26 May 17
Both of my parents had both eyes done without too much incident. They were told exactly what would happen step by step. You can't base what will happen to you on what others say LOL! But I think the one day of pain and fog will be forgotten quickly. Do you have to have the other eye done also?
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
29 May 17
@PainsOnSlate I remember my parents after their surgery - don't bend over...
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
1 Jun 17
@AbbyGreenhill ,my surgeon said I could bend over just can't handle heavy stuff for a few weeks - (8 weeks)
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 17
In mid June I am set to have the other done. It truly was scary the first day but life is great now, I just need to keep calm and let the eye heal before doing something crazy.
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
27 May 17
My Dad had his op a few years ago, I remember the eye patch and the eye drops and Yes, it wasn't a piece of cake. But, I am so happy the op was a success for you @PainsOnSlate , and enjoy seeing clearly again. :)
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
27 May 17
@PainsOnSlate , Yes, my Dad had to have both his eyes done. It was also odd for him to have one clear strong eye and one still weak. After both were done he couldn't get over how clear everything was. But first take time to recover from this op and enjoy the results :)
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
27 May 17
@bluesa It will be at least two weeks before I decide when it will be done but it will be done at some point.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
27 May 17
On day two I got to see how life looked with the surgery. It was beautiful and bright. I closed my new eye and look at the same scene and instead of clear and sharp it has a yellow tone and still sharp - but that yellow must be the cataract in the other eye. Very interesting daily...
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79731)
• United States
26 May 17
I'm glad you're feeling better after your surgery and it was a success. I guess I didn't realize the pain involved once the surgery was over and the recovery process. I've read so many things about cataract surgery that I thought it was a piece of cake too. Glad you're here for awhile and can at least see well enough to myLot. Happy painting in your free time 
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
26 May 17
Thanks, i didn't do too much today, I did a lot of laying around, My eyes are still not up to par but so much better that the first day. They just feel tired so i let them be lazy...
@JudyEv (325758)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 May 17
At least you are on top of it all now. I took my friend to have her cataract surgery done and we expected to be playing Scrabble that same night. Didn't happen. But now the worst is over and I hope it continues to just get better and better over the new few days and weeks.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
26 May 17
Thanks, I am feeling much better moment by moment. I know how she flet, no game playing for me either - not even on line Scrabble....
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
26 May 17
I'm glad its doing better. I've had two surgeries in the last four months. They were simple same day surgeries, but when they cut into your body, there's no avoiding some pain. Compared to some surgeries, mine was easy, but I would never tell someone that there was no pain.
Will you be getting the other one done as well?
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 17
Yes I am planning to and have a date already, but I will first see how long I can't drive and how long it takes to heal. My next date is June 15th and I intend to camp and drive by July 2, I will address this with my surgeon, I see her this week again and will find out how she feel about it. I will not give up my camping so I might change my next surgery to after camping....
1 person likes this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
28 May 17
@PainsOnSlate Your camping trips are a tradition. I understand not wanting to miss that.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
31 May 17
@BettyB saw my surgeon and all is well the surgery will be done and I will be camping...
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (58137)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
26 May 17
They have those little no water needed shower caps that they use at hospitals for patients that cant get out of bed. I had to use one when i had meningitis and was in the hospital for two weeks, those might come in handy for you for the next couple of weeks.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 17
My husband made a waterproof patch for the eye and I took a quick shower and washed my hair. I feel like a new woman and it worked. Thanks for the suggestion but I think I've got an answer.
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
27 May 17
I knew that but never though about it, I will be aware the next time.
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
26 May 17
Wow Marilyn--this sounds like it is painful! So glad it is short-lived! I hope you feel and see better soon!!
1 person likes this
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
26 May 17
@PainsOnSlate My husband will need this surgery in a couple of years--so I am glad to hear that it is quick, if not painless
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
26 May 17
@divalounger The first day is hell and then it calms down and life is good. So worth the discomfort for a day or two... Being able to see is a beautiful thing.
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
26 May 17
I feel like a new woman. I was looking at my TV around the news time looking for my favorite channel and WOW, I realized I could see the words on the TV channel page and thought....I haven't been able to see the words without standing right in front of the TV.... for a long long time....I am feeling GREAT!
All is good in my life at the moment. So glad I had the surgery and will have the other eye done too...
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
30 May 17
Just for one day, then all was good and it is amazing how well that one eye sees after the surgery. The other eye, when I close my new eye and look outside there there a yellow sky. I never realized i was seeing yellow instead of bright white. So glad I had it done and will do the next one in June.
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
26 May 17
Hope you heal quickly and get back to painting soon @PainsOnSlate
It can't be easy for someone as active as you are to just wait.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
27 May 17
I'm taking a vacation and pampering myself, I feel better every day and tomorrow I might try painting. No Y for me and no driving so I need to do something...
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
12 Jun 17
@PainsOnSlate Good luck for the next one
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
12 Jun 17
Yes I learned that the hard way, my next is in a few days and I will be comfortable in my pain this time...
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
30 May 17
i'm so glad that thingies're lookin' clearer 'n the pain's subsided 's well. mamaw'd lots 'f troubles with hers 'n ne'er recovered from such. momma, 'n the otherhand, jest'd minor discomfort the first day'n then all was well. take care 'f yerself, k? big hugs!
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
3 Jun 17
@PainsOnSlate that's wonderful news! jest think, by july yer gonna've bionic matchin' eyes, lol. 't least ya know what to 'xpect with the next'un, eh? big hugs!!
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
31 May 17
I saw my surgeon for another check up on the eye and I can now drive, take showers and bathes without covering the eye and all is almost normal. I still have lots of drops daily and I still sleep with the eye protected (just for two weeks) Next one is being done on the 15th Thanks you for your h
ugs and right back at you.
ugs and right back at you.1 person likes this
@manasamanu (3746)
• Bangalore, India
31 May 17
Its really hard getting operated and along with it comes the pain as an unwanted guest. But if we bare with that our long time suffer will be over. Happy to know your surgery went well and you are doing good. Have a nice time painting.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
31 May 17
Thank you. I am doing well and talked with my surgeon about the next eye being done in two weeks. I will be prepared for the pain this time....mentally.
1 person likes this
@manasamanu (3746)
• Bangalore, India
31 May 17
@PainsOnSlate So this time only one eye ha, well then good luck with the next surgery. Hope you bare with the pain.
