So I've seen the doctor twice since the surgery, Friday and Monday. On Monday, Dr. Yoo says he's pleased with the progress and healing that's going on. The swelling is starting to go down and so is the pain. He has told me to stop icing but continue with putting the antibiotic 6x/day. I still take tylenol but not as often as before. On both visits, I could not see out of the the left eye. He assured me that I should be able to see out of it soon enough. Apparently the bottom eyelashes are still poking straight into my eyes causing some redness and discomfort. It hurts to even blink but I know it's starting to heal because it sometimes gets itchy. I can't wait to b e able to see I haven't been able to walk out for exercise because I'm afraid I'm going to trip on something. i hope I'll be able to wear contacts soon :-)
The last several days have brought so many friends to come and visit. They brought food, flowers, cards, gifts and lots of love and prayers. Mahal and I are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that have been sent our way. God has blessed us so much and I am humbly reminded that He is taking care of us and our needs. Last night, a very special family friend came over and during our visit she reminded us the God is with us every step of the way, even though we may not 'feel' He is around, He is there and He understands how we're feeling. I am so thankful for healing and for the great care I have been getting, from so many people.
And even as I am getting better, I received a call from a dear friend who told me she just got diagnosed with breast cancer herself. I felt so bad and wished I knew how to comfort her during this devastating time. It is never easy to receive such bad news. She is very hopeful as the doctors have told her the cancer is at the very early stages. I hope for her sake that she does not have to have such invasive procedures done. I keep her and her family in my prayers and I ask that you remember her in your prayers as well. I hope I can be as good a friend to her as she faces her own journey through cancer as she has been for me through mine. Facing cancer is never easy and i am so glad that I can be there for her as she and so many others had been there for me. Truly, no man is an island, no man stands alone.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Post-op
So yesterday was the surgery to repair my retracted eyelid. It never ceases to amaze me how nice everyone is at this hospital. They try to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. I was not looking forward to having the IV put in and as it turned out, at the first attempt, I 'kicked out the needle'. The nurse had to get the anesthesiologist. He was very nice and was teasing me the whole time. He asked me 4 times if I wanted to get a local anesthetic first before he put the IV in and I didn't reply, but Frendell kept answering for me, "yes doctor, she needs it". He knows me too well. I think I nearly broke his hand when I gripped it so hard when the needle went it.
I really thought I would be mostly asleep during this surgery. I was wrong, although the nurse said I was probably asleep the first hour or so and then they woke me up quite easily. I could hear the surgeon talking to the assistant and the anesthesiologist. I was hoping I would not feel a thing, but apparently I flinched enough times coz I heard him say "local please"; and I know 2 or 3 times I actually said, "ouch that hurts, I can feel that". I'm sure he was not happy that I was awake because i asked questions and talked to him during the surgery. He probably wished he had knocked me out completely :-) He said his main concern during surgery was bleeding. He also said he is not certain that the lid will not retract anymore. He said my eye has not reached a stable point yet, instead it has gotten progressively worse in the past 4 months. He is hoping it will not retract anymore but there is no way to tell. He does not think the medication I started will affect it in anyway. All I know is that I hope I don't have to have another surgery like this. Its pretty painful.. and I look like I've been in a barroom brawl, not that I would know what that's like, but I have seen some movies with fighting in it. It was uncomfortable to sleep last night. Poor Frendell. I know I asked for tylenol every 2 - 3 hrs; he was a very good murse and told me I can only have it every 4. He has really come through for me in many ways. All the discharge instructions were given to him and he followed them to the T, even to the bag of peas for cold compress. Poor guy did not get any sleep either coz he woke up when I needed my meds. Today we have to go back to the hospital to see the doctor for a follow-up. They want to make sure I do not get infection in the surgical site. I feel tired and kinda queasy. The nurse said they didn't want to give me heavier narcotics so I don't get nausea and vomiting.
I sure hope this worked coz I don't want to repeat it anytime soon. I am so thankful for a caring medical team; for a loving and supportive family; for our church family who came and brought food and flowers and comfort; for friends who prayed for me and cheered me up and most of all I am so blessed to have a husband who not only held my hand but continues to take gentle care of me, making sure that all my needs are taken cared of. Thank you everyone... I am blessed indeed. I would not survive this journey without you. No man is an island, no man stands alone....
I really thought I would be mostly asleep during this surgery. I was wrong, although the nurse said I was probably asleep the first hour or so and then they woke me up quite easily. I could hear the surgeon talking to the assistant and the anesthesiologist. I was hoping I would not feel a thing, but apparently I flinched enough times coz I heard him say "local please"; and I know 2 or 3 times I actually said, "ouch that hurts, I can feel that". I'm sure he was not happy that I was awake because i asked questions and talked to him during the surgery. He probably wished he had knocked me out completely :-) He said his main concern during surgery was bleeding. He also said he is not certain that the lid will not retract anymore. He said my eye has not reached a stable point yet, instead it has gotten progressively worse in the past 4 months. He is hoping it will not retract anymore but there is no way to tell. He does not think the medication I started will affect it in anyway. All I know is that I hope I don't have to have another surgery like this. Its pretty painful.. and I look like I've been in a barroom brawl, not that I would know what that's like, but I have seen some movies with fighting in it. It was uncomfortable to sleep last night. Poor Frendell. I know I asked for tylenol every 2 - 3 hrs; he was a very good murse and told me I can only have it every 4. He has really come through for me in many ways. All the discharge instructions were given to him and he followed them to the T, even to the bag of peas for cold compress. Poor guy did not get any sleep either coz he woke up when I needed my meds. Today we have to go back to the hospital to see the doctor for a follow-up. They want to make sure I do not get infection in the surgical site. I feel tired and kinda queasy. The nurse said they didn't want to give me heavier narcotics so I don't get nausea and vomiting.
I sure hope this worked coz I don't want to repeat it anytime soon. I am so thankful for a caring medical team; for a loving and supportive family; for our church family who came and brought food and flowers and comfort; for friends who prayed for me and cheered me up and most of all I am so blessed to have a husband who not only held my hand but continues to take gentle care of me, making sure that all my needs are taken cared of. Thank you everyone... I am blessed indeed. I would not survive this journey without you. No man is an island, no man stands alone....
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Happy birthday Mahal
I just wanted to take the time out and wish my darling a very happy birthday. He has been been my rock and my strength and when I don't feel like having more treatments, he is my voice of reason and encouragement. I am humbled by his commitment and dedication to my recovery and even though my medical appointments take up so much of his time, he never complains or make me feel like it's a bother for him. He deserves a wonderful birthday celebration and I hope we will be able to do that today. Unfortunately, I have some appointments, but hopefully, it won't take up the whole morning.
Thanks for all that you've done and continue to do for me, Mahal. I love you and am so thankful that you're my husband. So many others would have already bailed out with all the things we have gone through. Thanks for staying and taking care of me and keeping your promise "in sickness and in health". You keep making me feel beautiful and loved, even though I know I look hideous right now. Even kids can't help it and say I look "creepy"... thanks for never making me feel that... thanks for helping me think things through and helping me make decisions about my health. Sometimes I'm so tired of it... shots, daily medications, blood work, scans, MRIs, etc., etc., but you give me the reason to fight and you hold my hand and you take me to these appointments and you make me smile and laugh and live....
I wish for you a year of happiness, contentment and peace... and hopefully less medical appointments to take me to :-) I love you with all my heart and I am so blessed to be your wife. Happy birthday, darling... all my love...
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