LASIK

The last time I had clear sight, without the aid of corrective lenses, I was 12.

For the next few years my sight got progressively worse while I staunchly refused that I had a problem, refused glasses & my world grew dimmer & fuzzier.

At 15 I got contacts. The doctor wanted to know how I had avoided walking into a bus, my vision was so bad  ;)

I wore contacts of one type or another for the next 30 years  :P

The last year or 2 I finally had to give in a wear my glasses more & more as my contacts became almost unbearable after just a few hours.

As I aged, I also got to the point where I really needed bifocals of some kind, but again, refused to admit it.

Yes, I know. I have issues :)

Anyway...

We finally reached a point where our insurance & our pocketbook allowed for us to look into LASIK.

My husband & I are both candidates for the surgery.

We (& by we I mean he) decided that since my vision is the worst & it would truly be life changing for me, that I should have it done first.

So...last Friday I was scheduled to have surgery at 12:15.

Now, there are 2 types of surgery LASIK & PRK. They do essentially the same thing ~ correct your vision ~ but LASIK has a much faster ,easier recovery time than PRK.

Because of my ridiculously high prescription & my relatively thin corneas there was a possibility that PRK would be better suited for me LASIK but they really wouldn't know for sure until I was under the laser so to speak.

So Friday we showed up for my appointment at noon.

They were having some delays & suggested we come back in a few hours.

We did some errands & had some lunch & went back.

They took me in the back, did some measurements & were ready to give my a mild sedative when they came in to say...

...there were issues with the laser.

??????

NOT what I wanted to hear.

The laser was not calibrating as well as they would like.

Now technically they could still perform the surgery but the doctor was not comfortable using it at less than 100% (good GOOD doctor)

They had another laser in a different city an hour or so away & they were sending for it. It would take about 2 hours to get it there & set it up & there was one person ahead of me so we were looking at 3 hours or 6 pm until I could get my surgery.

Hmmmmmmmm.

Now here's where I can't figure out is this just the Enemy messing with my mind? Or is this the Lord saying "DON'T DO THIS"...

Shoot.

Well. After a pep talk from husband we went back at 6.

They took me back. Fixed me up with some Valium. Gave me some Super Fly surgical booties & hair net & took away my glasses!

They led me down the halls into the recesses of the dark empty office & then they open up the door to the surgery.

Here's where it gets weird.

The door opens into this little room SUPER brightly lit & full of sci-fi laser machines & guys in full surgical scrubs.

You lay down on the bed, they get you all squared away, show you the lasers & where you are supposed to look & then the doctor shows up.

They stick this thing in your eyeball, put you under the laser, the lights start blinking & all of the sudden the doctor says "Cutting your flaps now!"  GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!

Then you switch to the other laser, they stick a different thing in your eye & then you stare at the red light & all of the sudden you can smell it lasering your eye!

It smells like burning hair <<shudder>>

The freaky deaky weirdest part of the whole deal?

You are awake & your eyes are open & you can SEE what is happening to your eyes.

Oh. My.

After only like 10 minutes you are all. done.

Wow.

They help you up. You go back to a little room. The doctor checks that everything is all good. You get these lovely plastic shields to protect your eyes. Some government issues wrap around dark glasses, a little Valium for the road & you are on your way.

None of it actually hurts. It is just really, really uncomfortable.

That night my eyes were very irritated. Much more uncomfortable then I was expected. And they teared constantly. I ended up taking the Valium & after that I was able to fall asleep.

I slept thru the night & when I woke up my eyes didn't hurt & I COULD SEE!!!! (cue the Hallelujah chorus)

At my check up the next morning my vision ~ while not crisp & clear yet~ was 20/20!!!! With NO corrective lenses~ just me & my eyeballs :)

It's been 3 days now. My vision is still not super crisp (think hazy) but that should clear up in a few days.

I have to be careful not rub my eyes. I sleep with the plastic shields on. And I take about 3 million eye drops a day. But  I CAN SEE!!!

Did I mention that I can see?

I am so thrilled. And thankful. And excited. And thrilled. And happy. And thankful. (do you sense a theme here?)

Each morning I wake up & automatically reach for my glasses & I don't need them anymore. :)

They are locked away in a drawer :)

My husband is super jealous ;) & he will be getting his done in a few months as soon as we pay off mine.

I can't even begin to truly convey to you how amazing it is to be given the gift of sight after such a long time.
To not be dependent on glasses or contacts. To not be vulnerable.

It is amazing.

Praise the Lord.

I am so thankful that we found such a super doctor & staff to help us through all of this.

We used Dr. Reeve at the Reeve-Woods Eye Center in Chico.

Valerie is the coordinator & she walked us thru the whole process. I cannot recommend them enough.

They were awesome.

Oh! I almost forgot! Because of having to send for the new, upgraded laser, they were able to cut a thinner flap & do the LASIK on me!

So you see? It was the Lord looking out for me all along!

Blessings.