I'm the Surgery Buddy
By Ali Canary
@AliCanary (4658)
July 7, 2026 10:06am CST
Hey All, tomorrow morning, I am getting up bright and early to take my friend to get eye surgery. He is having a cataract removed and will be under light anaesthesia, so he needs someone to help drive him there and back. I am an old hand at this, now, as he had the other eye done last month, so I know it will involve sitting in the waiting room of the surgery center for a few hours.
Fortunately, I have several things I can take to work on while I am waiting. Last time, I was able to get some work done in my sketchbook. I will probably take it again but may also take my journal and a book to read, because I don't necessarily always feel like drawing (it's difficult to produce good work when I don't feel like it, which is why I never took an art job after graduating).
After he is finished, we will grab some breakfast, and then I will take him home and make sure he is recovering well from the anaesthesia and has all of his eye drops organized before I leave.
9 people like this
9 responses
@Ineeddentures (37865)
•
8 Jul
Will be better able to put the eye drops in by himself?
I can't do that for some reason I know not.
My hand shakes
2 people like this
@AliCanary (4658)
•
10 Jul
@Ineeddentures I hate dropping from above, too - I always blink. So what I do now is put the drop in at the corner of my eye and just turn my head so it washes across the eyeball. Maybe that would work for you, too!
2 people like this
@Ineeddentures (37865)
•
9 Jul
@AliCanary
I miss the target and it usually lands on my cheek
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (175436)
• United States
7 Jul
I was told I have the beginnings of cataracts but won't need surgery for years yet.
I hope things go well for your friend.
2 people like this
@AliCanary (4658)
•
7 Jul
My eye doctor said that eventually everyone gets them, but yes, I think it does progress pretty slowly. My buddy has had them for a while.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (175436)
• United States
7 Jul
@AliCanary I'm sure it also depends on your age, too. I'm only 62 so hope I won't need surgery on my eyes for a LONG time.
2 people like this
@AliCanary (4658)
•
9 Jul
@DaddyEvil I hope you don't, either! My friend is only 63, but he has a lot of complicating health factors, including diabetes, which definitely affects the eyes.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (87579)
• United States
7 Jul
I’ve been there! My brother may have to have cataract surgery in the next year or so. When our dear uncle of blessed memory had cataract surgery in the early 70s he was in the hospital for a couple of days. When my dear mother of blessed memory had hers, she had it done in the doctor’s office, and we went out to lunch afterward. Prayers for your friend’s successful surgery!
2 people like this
@AliCanary (4658)
•
7 Jul
Wow, technology has really made things a lot easier. Thanks very much!
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@LindaOHio (223644)
• United States
8 Jul
That's unusual to have anesthesia for cataract surgery. All I had was numbing drops. I hope it all goes well.
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@AliCanary (4658)
•
9 Jul
They called it "twilight" anesthesia - he was conscious, but, um, mellow, I guess? It was enough that he shouldn't be driving and may be forgetful or fuzzy on the details.
@AliCanary (4658)
•
7 Jul
At least it's been very convenient that I'm not currently working full time, so it hasn't been too hard to do.
2 people like this
This last time I went to the eye doctor I was told I had the beginnings of cataracts. I’m 45! My dad is 71 and not even the beginnings of them!@AliCanary (4658)
•
9 Jul
Oh goodness, that must be very alarming. I hope they progress VERY slowly and aren't an issue for many years. That said, the surgery seems pretty simple and doesn't take too long - you just need to take a lottttt of eye drops for a couple of weeks afterward. My friend is 63, which I thought was actually pretty young for it, so I guess it's hard to say.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (122659)
• United States
9 Jul
@AliCanary I’m just nervous about the cost. My insurance doesn’t cover cataracts. I’m hoping by the time I need surgery Medicaid will pay for at least some of it.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4658)
•
10 Jul
@AmbiePam I hope you don't have to worry about it. That's not cool that they won't pay for it - it's not like it's self-inflicted!
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@JudyEv (384442)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jul
@AliCanary I try to take a book with me if I think I might have to wait for someone.
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@AliCanary (4658)
•
9 Jul
@JudyEv I took a book with me to the follow-up exam this morning, but he wasn't in there long. I only read a few pages!
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@AliCanary (4658)
•
9 Jul
I was actually able to get some artwork done, but after a while I had to switch over to writing, instead.
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@Deepizzaguy (123137)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
10 Jul
I wish your friend a successful surgery on his eye tomorrow morning.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (123137)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
10 Jul
@AliCanary You are welcome.
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