The last time I posted something from my real life I was told I was getting to personal on the forum by another member... at the risk of that happening again...

I am being prepared for an operation that is scheduled to happen on Thursday at 10:30EST.

Let me start by saying I had an eye/nose injury way back when I was about 14,,, maybe 15 years old. And since that time (30 years) I have been completely blind in my left eye. The doctors said there was a 50/50 chance of getting my eye sight back with an operation. But until now I never had medical insurance. Because of this I never was able to get my driver's license... the DMV told me that since it is possible to be fixed with an operation it had to be before I could get my license.

Well now I have some medical insurance I am finally looking into it. As it turns out when the injury occurred a very dense, hard cataract formed over my eye, one that none of the doctors... not even specialists could see behind to see if there is any more damage to the eye then that. So I still only have a 50/50 chance of getting my eyesight back after the surgery. They also told me it is so extreme that they can't even us laser surgery for me.... they need to go in the old fashion way... cutting into my eyeball with a knife. Which increases my recovery time immensely. They said there is really 3 possibilities depending on what they find....

1. I will have vision back on Thursday
2. There is an injury to the eye that needs additional surgery
3. There is scar tissue on the eye... meaning I will be blind in it the rest of my life.

I never had surgery of any type before... so needless to say at this point I am a nervous wreck. I know this is considered minor surgery and they won't even put me to sleep for it. But that don't change the fact that I am almost freaking here (LOL). Besides... I get the willies at the thought of them coming at my eyeball of all things with a knife.

Wow, Pete - that is some story! I can imagine how you must be feeling right now, never having experienced surgery in your life. And indeed, just the thought of a knife coming to your eye would give me the creeps as well. The only advantage you may have is that you have ample experience with horror movies... 

More seriously, while this does sound like a gamble, you've got nothing to lose. Now that you got your insurance, I'd say: go for it! Two out of the three options you mentioned will give you improvement over time, and those odds are better than in many other operations. And Thursday is not that far away, fortunately. Just organize ample distraction for yourself until then.

Oh, and if you're getting nasty reactions here again, just realize that those are telling a whole lot more about the person that posts them than they do about you!

Take care and the best of luck this Thursday!

DJ

Thank you both. I appreciate it.

Let me say that while yes I am a nervous wreck... I am also very excited at the possibility of seeing again.

If the operation is a success, and I can see again, we plan to celebrate by seeing a 3D movie. With only one eye I am unable to see movies in 3D. 

Quoting Addicted2DVD:

Quote:
needless to say at this point I am a nervous wreck. I know this is considered minor surgery and they won't even put me to sleep for it.

Good luck.  I'm barely willing to stay conscious when I visit the dentist.

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Best of luck Pete! I hope the surgeons have great news for you. You have a lot of 3D movies to catch up on 

Thanks Guys

You'll be OK and you won't feel any pain while they operate on your eye since they'll numb the eye.  Just make sure you take an pain medication like clock work after the operation.  Worst case you'll have the same vision as today but your vision can only improve from here on out.  The reward outweighs the risk.  Your vision can only get better from here on out.

I've never had any sort of surgery either. The worst I had were some stitches on my lip.

I have very sensitive eyeballs. I can't even touch mine or even get water on them. So I can't even fathom having a knife cut into one. Just the thought gives me the willies.

Good luck and hopefully it'll have the desired outcome that you're hoping for.