Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
"Real life can be scary." - HistoryDiva
I went to see my eye doctor for a routine exam in late December. During the exam I mentioned that the vision in my left eye had become noticeably cloudy and distorted over the last six to eight months. Upon a closer examination my eye doctor noticed a dark "patch" on my retina. Unable to determine anything further he referred me to Georgia Retina, a specialist group.
My appointment with Georgia Retina took place on Monday, January 16. During the examination the doctor determined that the retina in my left eye is partial detached, allowing fluid to seep underneath and create scar tissue. This scar tissue has damaged my field of vision, causing the cloudy distortion I had noticed. Upon further examination the doctor determined that the retina in my right eye was beginning to detach as well.
The only way to correct these issues is through surgery.
The prognosis for my right eye is very good. There is a 98% chance (or better) that the procedure will completely correct this issue and prevent any further damage from occurring, effectively stopping the process in its tracks.
The prognosis for my left eye is not as good. There is a 50% chance that the procedure will correct this issue on the first try. It is very likely that I will need a second surgery on the eye at a later date. Additionally, the procedure to remove the existing scar tissue will be invasive. I am guaranteed to develop a cataract in my left eye due to this surgery.
However, we have essentially caught this issue 'in time' and they will be able to preserve my sight.
The doctor has advised that surgery be performed on my right eye first in order to "save your good eye while it's still good."
This surgery is scheduled for 7:30 AM on January 20…which is tomorrow morning.
The surgery for my left eye has been scheduled for February 17.
As it is unlikely that I will be in a position to blog until I have recovered from both procedures, this may be the last post for some time to come.
I feel certain that everything will be fine. My surgery will take place at the most highly rated hospital in the state and my doctor is both highly educated and extremely proficient. I have been assured by the nursing staff that they have this procedure 'down to a science.'
I would like to take a moment to extend my heartfelt thanks to my family and friends who have rallied around me since I received this news on Monday. Your support and love is so appreciated. Thank you for your prayers, your concern, and your encouragement.
- Kristine, the HistoryDiva
My appointment with Georgia Retina took place on Monday, January 16. During the examination the doctor determined that the retina in my left eye is partial detached, allowing fluid to seep underneath and create scar tissue. This scar tissue has damaged my field of vision, causing the cloudy distortion I had noticed. Upon further examination the doctor determined that the retina in my right eye was beginning to detach as well.
The only way to correct these issues is through surgery.
The prognosis for my right eye is very good. There is a 98% chance (or better) that the procedure will completely correct this issue and prevent any further damage from occurring, effectively stopping the process in its tracks.
The prognosis for my left eye is not as good. There is a 50% chance that the procedure will correct this issue on the first try. It is very likely that I will need a second surgery on the eye at a later date. Additionally, the procedure to remove the existing scar tissue will be invasive. I am guaranteed to develop a cataract in my left eye due to this surgery.
However, we have essentially caught this issue 'in time' and they will be able to preserve my sight.
The doctor has advised that surgery be performed on my right eye first in order to "save your good eye while it's still good."
This surgery is scheduled for 7:30 AM on January 20…which is tomorrow morning.
The surgery for my left eye has been scheduled for February 17.
As it is unlikely that I will be in a position to blog until I have recovered from both procedures, this may be the last post for some time to come.
I feel certain that everything will be fine. My surgery will take place at the most highly rated hospital in the state and my doctor is both highly educated and extremely proficient. I have been assured by the nursing staff that they have this procedure 'down to a science.'
I would like to take a moment to extend my heartfelt thanks to my family and friends who have rallied around me since I received this news on Monday. Your support and love is so appreciated. Thank you for your prayers, your concern, and your encouragement.
- Kristine, the HistoryDiva
Monday, January 9, 2012
50 Books - An Update
Currently Reading
5. Shining Darkness - a Doctor Who new series adventure by Mark Michalowski
6. I Know Where I'm Going: Katherine Hepburn, a personal biography - by Charlotte Chandler
7. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: a Flavia de Luce Mystery - by Alan Bradley
Finished
1. And Furthermore - an autobiography by Judi Dench
2. Ghosts of India - a Doctor Who new series adventure by Mark Harris
3. The Doctor Trap - a Doctor Who new series adventure by Simon Messingham
4. Girl Singer - an autobiography by the late Rosemary Clooney
Purchased this weekend
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman - by Robert Massie
Cleopatra: A Life - by Stacy Schiff
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - by John le Carre
5. Shining Darkness - a Doctor Who new series adventure by Mark Michalowski
6. I Know Where I'm Going: Katherine Hepburn, a personal biography - by Charlotte Chandler
7. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: a Flavia de Luce Mystery - by Alan Bradley
Finished
1. And Furthermore - an autobiography by Judi Dench
2. Ghosts of India - a Doctor Who new series adventure by Mark Harris
3. The Doctor Trap - a Doctor Who new series adventure by Simon Messingham
4. Girl Singer - an autobiography by the late Rosemary Clooney
Purchased this weekend
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman - by Robert Massie
Cleopatra: A Life - by Stacy Schiff
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - by John le Carre
Dude! I thought we'd worked this out!
So…Monday is trying to kill me.
No, don't attempt to tell me otherwise. At this point, I'm pretty much convinced.
Today started about as badly as any Monday can. My alarm didn't go off. Now, thank goodness I've finally gotten smart enough (no comments, Carl) to set redundant alarms for weekday mornings. It was actually the back up alarm on the iPod that I heard…which is amazing because it is incredibly faint. I scrambled around looking for my phone and grumbling about the whole 'pre-dawn bull**t' thing. Turns out, my cellphone - which has been giving me problems for almost a year - had turned itself off overnight…AGAIN.
Which means no alarm…just silence.
Way to be a POS there, little Samsung Evergreen.
So I pulled myself out of bed and promptly tripped over the cat.
I picked myself up off the floor, threw the cat out of my room, and managed to somehow roll my ridculously heavy full sized bed across my toes THREE times while attempting to make it. Yeah…those 'locking wheels' have proved 'really' effective on our wood floors.
As I was limping down the hall to the shower I tripped over the cat again. Fortunatly for me, I managed to avoid both the glass door and all the pointy corners of the hallway.
I picked myself up off the floor again and promptly kicked the cat in the butt, sending him scampering across the living room.
The shower helped, at least the water was hot.
The toilet seat fell off. I have no idea how the hell that actually happened, but it did.
I burned myself on the flat iron twice.
I almost ran over two of the neighbor kids who thought it was might be a 'great' idea to stand in the middle of the foggy street wearing grey hoodies and backpacks this morning rather than at the corner where its nice and safe.
I got honked at no less than a dozen times on the drive to work because I was going the speed limit.
I dropped my large sweet tea on the way into work and so I'm wearing more of it than I got to drink. (But at least I didn't spill it in the car because OMFG!!!)
And I've managed to jam not one, not two, but all THREE of the shredders in my department this morning! I've gotten them all moving again but I'm bleeding…yeah, don't ask.
And it isn't even lunchtime.
No, don't attempt to tell me otherwise. At this point, I'm pretty much convinced.
Today started about as badly as any Monday can. My alarm didn't go off. Now, thank goodness I've finally gotten smart enough (no comments, Carl) to set redundant alarms for weekday mornings. It was actually the back up alarm on the iPod that I heard…which is amazing because it is incredibly faint. I scrambled around looking for my phone and grumbling about the whole 'pre-dawn bull**t' thing. Turns out, my cellphone - which has been giving me problems for almost a year - had turned itself off overnight…AGAIN.
Which means no alarm…just silence.
Way to be a POS there, little Samsung Evergreen.
So I pulled myself out of bed and promptly tripped over the cat.
I picked myself up off the floor, threw the cat out of my room, and managed to somehow roll my ridculously heavy full sized bed across my toes THREE times while attempting to make it. Yeah…those 'locking wheels' have proved 'really' effective on our wood floors.
As I was limping down the hall to the shower I tripped over the cat again. Fortunatly for me, I managed to avoid both the glass door and all the pointy corners of the hallway.
I picked myself up off the floor again and promptly kicked the cat in the butt, sending him scampering across the living room.
The shower helped, at least the water was hot.
The toilet seat fell off. I have no idea how the hell that actually happened, but it did.
I burned myself on the flat iron twice.
I almost ran over two of the neighbor kids who thought it was might be a 'great' idea to stand in the middle of the foggy street wearing grey hoodies and backpacks this morning rather than at the corner where its nice and safe.
I got honked at no less than a dozen times on the drive to work because I was going the speed limit.
I dropped my large sweet tea on the way into work and so I'm wearing more of it than I got to drink. (But at least I didn't spill it in the car because OMFG!!!)
And I've managed to jam not one, not two, but all THREE of the shredders in my department this morning! I've gotten them all moving again but I'm bleeding…yeah, don't ask.
And it isn't even lunchtime.
Friday, January 6, 2012
"Well, I found it funny."
This evening I stopped in for a quick visit with my friend and former roommate, the H.O.P.S.F. I was taking her some tea cause she's a fan and I'm a good friend. While there, she offered me some of the loose leaf tea she'd gotten for Christmas from MarriedSister (as opposed to NotMarriedSister - btw, you should really be taking notes, cause there will be a test later). So I was handed four teaspoons of black tea in a little zip lock bag.
Which made me giggle and comment that I hoped I wouldn't be stopped by a cop on the way home, as I would hate to have it mistaken for something illicit. Several sophomoric jokes later I headed out to pick up some dinner at our nearest "Why the hell did I eat that taco?" before going home.
I came to a stop at the shinny new traffic lights outside our local "Gigantic Chain Store." A large SUV came to a stop in my peripheral vision and, with nothing better to do at the stop light, I glanced casually to my left. And exploded into a fit of laughter.
The local police K9 Unit had pulled up beside me.
Which made me giggle and comment that I hoped I wouldn't be stopped by a cop on the way home, as I would hate to have it mistaken for something illicit. Several sophomoric jokes later I headed out to pick up some dinner at our nearest "Why the hell did I eat that taco?" before going home.
I came to a stop at the shinny new traffic lights outside our local "Gigantic Chain Store." A large SUV came to a stop in my peripheral vision and, with nothing better to do at the stop light, I glanced casually to my left. And exploded into a fit of laughter.
The local police K9 Unit had pulled up beside me.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
50 Books
TiaDiva has invited me to participate in the 50 Book Challenge this year, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Basically, it's easy - just pick out and read 50 new books in one year...which breaks down to about one book a week, which doesn't seem like a serious challenge really. Of course if you factor in that whole "I have to go to work" thing and then add in the "I have a life" thing...well, it becomes a bit more difficult. But hey, a challenge is a challenge, and I'm game to try.
Now, of course, I have to pick out 50 books that I haven't read and then get to work. The sad part is that I can actually 'shop' my own bookshelves and find more than enough titles to do the job. (And yes, if you compare this picture of my bookshelves to a previously posted one you will notice a lot more 'empty' space...we moved and I used it as an excuse to thin down the collection.) Well, not sad really, it just means that I shop faster than I read!
So, to get a jump on things - and what with that whole "the world is supposed to end this year" thing - I went ahead and started the challenge about two weeks ago...even though TiaDiva says that this is cheating. I disagree. I think that if the world is going to end, I still want to have time to blog about all 50 books!
So far I've finished the following.
1. And Furthermore - an autobiography by Judi Dench
2. Ghosts of India - a Doctor Who new series adventure by Mark Harris
3. The Doctor Trap - a Doctor Who new series adventure by Simon Messingham
And I'm currently reading the following.
4. Girl Singer - an autobiography by the late Rosemary Clooney
- I actually bought this book when it was released in 1999...I'm a little ashamed to admit that I've owned it all this time and haven't even opened it.
5. Shining Darkness - a Doctor Who new series adventure by Mark Michalowski
True, they won't all be great works of literature, but that's not the point! I'm hopeful that I will actually read well more than 50 books this year, and the plan is to read only what I already own...effectively attempting to catch up to myself.
So, to get a jump on things - and what with that whole "the world is supposed to end this year" thing - I went ahead and started the challenge about two weeks ago...even though TiaDiva says that this is cheating. I disagree. I think that if the world is going to end, I still want to have time to blog about all 50 books!
So far I've finished the following.
1. And Furthermore - an autobiography by Judi Dench
2. Ghosts of India - a Doctor Who new series adventure by Mark Harris
3. The Doctor Trap - a Doctor Who new series adventure by Simon Messingham
And I'm currently reading the following.
4. Girl Singer - an autobiography by the late Rosemary Clooney
- I actually bought this book when it was released in 1999...I'm a little ashamed to admit that I've owned it all this time and haven't even opened it.
5. Shining Darkness - a Doctor Who new series adventure by Mark Michalowski
True, they won't all be great works of literature, but that's not the point! I'm hopeful that I will actually read well more than 50 books this year, and the plan is to read only what I already own...effectively attempting to catch up to myself.
A Random Thought
I think someone needs to create a super tasty spreadable cheese (or something similar) and label their awesome product "Christ."
Why?
Because "Christ on a cracker" has become my go-to expletive lately.
"Blasphemy, Blasphe-you, Blasphe-everybody-in-the-room."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)