Monday, January 29, 2007

Could anything be worse?

Maybe being trapped at a Michael Bolton concert? I dunno.

For me, this is always the WORST DAY OF THE YEAR.

Annual Eye Exam Day.

I remember back to the first time I had this done and how the Ophthalmologist put 8 drops in each eye to get my eyes to dilate. No other doctor has ever had to use that many so I am convinced that my first Ophthalmologist must not have liked me.

I feel a rant coming on…

Seriously folks, how can it help the doctor to see if Diabetes has affected my eyes when the eye drops are made of molasses? At least that is what it feels like. Or, I would describe it as drops that make your eyes 10 times their normal size and your poor little lids try their darndest to get over them. Like I need any more stretch marks. Loverly.

I hate having to sit in the waiting room watching the world blur up even worse then it already does without my glasses. Picking up magazines trying to identify what or who is on the cover of Time from 1988 since the newer issues have not made it out from the break room to the common folk.

I hate this day so much.

Deep down I know that this is for the best. I know that without this procedure there is a possibility that the “D” will wreak havoc on my eyes without me noticing it physically until it is too late.

Hell, maybe it has.

Maybe that is what I hate the most. The idea that this afternoon I may find out that becoming a B.A.D. a year ago was just too little too late. The thought of it sickens me. I am terrified of going blind, losing my toes, needing to be on dialysis. All of that stuff that is possibly in my future. At least that is what every brochure I have ever seen always said.

Tomorrow is always the best day of the year for me.

Here’s to tomorrow.

17 comments:

Scott K. Johnson said...

It is a scary day for all of us I think.

But, without it, you really might go blind! If they do find anything now, they can treat it and save your vision. Good thing you became B.A.D. if you ask me.

Keep us posted.

mel said...

Oooh, I have one coming up too.

Goodluck. I don't think it's meant to be fun, but for real, cocktails and appetizers in the waiting room wouldn't hurt. ;)

floreksa said...

Good luck! I personally hate the drops too. Feels way.too.funky. Then the reversing drops give me migraines. Great!

Here's hoping for a great tomorrow!

Shannon said...

Aww, you'll be fine. Think about it, you're taking charge of your health and checking up on things to nip any rogue vessels in the bud. Let things go and it's that much difficult to fix.

Here's to passing with flying colors on your eye exam.

There's nothing I hate more than that glaucoma test where they blow air on your eyeball....

Carey said...

That does not sound like fun at all. Good luck to you.

Sandra Miller said...

George-

I understand your anxiety-- more so after Joseph's recent exam.

Yes, here's to tomorrow.

Carol said...

I feel that way too. Going to an appointment that is specifically to test for a complication of diabetes strips away the thin layer of denial that helps us cope day to day with the fact that we are at increased risk for a whole host of horrors. But you are doing what you should be doing, and even if the opth finds something, you're on top of it early and there IS treatment that tends to be very successful.

Christine said...

Thanks George. Thanks. A. Lot. My first ophthalmologist appointment ever is next week. And I soooo wasn't nervous enough as it was. *leaves cursing under breath*

caramaena said...

Hope you pass with flying colours George.

I've worn glasses/contact lenses/had acute bilateral iritis/allergies to soft lenses/now had lasik surgery so I'm pretty blaze about the various things they do, but I have to say I'm totally with Shannon on the glaucoma test. Hate it!

Anonymous said...

Mine is tomorrrow.
'Nuff said.

Bernard said...

George

I hope it all passes quickly and uneventfully for you. I hate the long wait without the ability to read. Maybe I'll bring in an MP3 player next time.

Kerri. said...

SuperG,

I understand that anxiety. I've had a few eye appointments in the last six months and they always make me feel anxious.

But ... no matter what happens, we've got your back. Even if there's a pump site in it. ;)

Good luck and stay calm, my friend.

Lyrehca said...

Good luck--I go see the eye doc every two or three months now and after all these years, most of the time it's OK. It's hearing that you need laser that's stressful. And frankly, though laser treatment is not pleasant at all, it beats the consequences.

Chrissie in Belgium said...

Eye exams are the pits. I have on on Friday. I will hold your hand and please would you hold mine.

Minnesota Nice said...

Oh George, sitting in that waiting room is truly the longest span of short time I experience. I too hate it. But, sounds like you've been going each year, so if something shows up it can be dealth with effectively. Trust the miracles of technology.
Best of luck. I send you good wishes.

Heidi said...

I hope your eye exam went well George! I hate those too, not least the eye-stinging drops to dilate your pupils. You have to wait for them to work, and then you also have to wait forever for the effect to wane off, literally making you stuck to the facilities if you are driving yourself, bike or car.

Anyway, all the best for you and your eyes!

Keith said...

Best wishes for good results on the eye exam.

Just stopped by to see what you'd posted on YTT (You-Tube Tuesday). Take care, dude!