I was reminded yesterday that good things don't necessarily last. I don't mean to be bleak.
Since getting my new lenses, I've been on top of the world. Having spent time at the bottom of the world, I not only recognize the top, I savor it.
Yesterday, one of my contacts was irritating me so I popped it out, cleaned it and popped it back in. About 2 pm, I decided to take it out again. I'm used to perfection. This time though, my eye really hurt, a 4 out of a scale of 1 to 10. I looked in the mirror and it was also red. I immediately called the Boston Foundation for Sight who recommended I call my primary care ophthalmologist. My call was returned and appointment set up for today.
I woke up this morning with my eye feeling normal. I went to see my doctor who pronounced my eye fine, except for a tiny lash sticking into my eye. She plucked it out and said I could put my lenses back in whenever I wanted. I did as soon as I got home.
Take nothing for granted. That old latin cliche is true. Carpe diem.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Lens Update
I now wear my new lenses from about 7:30 am to 10 pm. My life has dramatically changed. I am once again exercising 6 days a week, yoga 3 times a week and jogging 3. Yes, I'm determined to build up my strength, not to mention courage, to run the Manhattan Half Marathon in April.
My new eyes allow me to entertain with ease. Last night we hosted guests and tonight we will, too. As Mariel would say: woot.
My new eyes allow me to entertain with ease. Last night we hosted guests and tonight we will, too. As Mariel would say: woot.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Graduated with Honors
After 4 days at the Boston Foundation for Sight, I have graduated. I haven't felt successful in a long time so I'm basking in the glow of accomplishment.
The Foundation is an amazing place. It's no wonder my insurance company covered me there and not somewhere else. This is where the PROSE device was invented. They make the lenses on-site, so you get them within hours of your fitting. If you need a different lens, no problem. They made about 15 different ones for me, not giving up until they felt the comfort and corrected vision were perfect.
You have to be trained to remove, insert and care for these pricey babies, which are made of hard plastic and shaped like stemless margarita glasses. I got the hang of it pretty quickly and so was dismissed after Day 4. They want to profile me in their next newsletter, so they took photos and will interview me via email to get my story. There's always a story.
The margarita simile made me want to have one. No, not a simile. My friend Sue and former library colleague drove up from Rhode Island and we went to a Mexican restaurant. I had a chance to show off my Spanish to the waiter. The food was delicious--I had chicken in mole sauce, something I will never cook--and the margaritas were on special. Catching up with Sue on library gossip was fun, too.
Today, I pack up and take a train to New Hampshire to visit Patty and Jeff. I look forward to a nice quiet weekend among friends.
The Foundation is an amazing place. It's no wonder my insurance company covered me there and not somewhere else. This is where the PROSE device was invented. They make the lenses on-site, so you get them within hours of your fitting. If you need a different lens, no problem. They made about 15 different ones for me, not giving up until they felt the comfort and corrected vision were perfect.
You have to be trained to remove, insert and care for these pricey babies, which are made of hard plastic and shaped like stemless margarita glasses. I got the hang of it pretty quickly and so was dismissed after Day 4. They want to profile me in their next newsletter, so they took photos and will interview me via email to get my story. There's always a story.
The margarita simile made me want to have one. No, not a simile. My friend Sue and former library colleague drove up from Rhode Island and we went to a Mexican restaurant. I had a chance to show off my Spanish to the waiter. The food was delicious--I had chicken in mole sauce, something I will never cook--and the margaritas were on special. Catching up with Sue on library gossip was fun, too.
Today, I pack up and take a train to New Hampshire to visit Patty and Jeff. I look forward to a nice quiet weekend among friends.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Day 2 in Boston
Yesterday, I arrived at the Boston Foundation for Sight and had my first consultation. After much measuring of my vision, the doctor inserted the PROSE lenses for the first fitting. They were not my prescription--that would take a day to make--but they had me wear them for 3 hours to assess the comfort level.
The right lens fit perfectly; the left irritated my eye. They inserted another lens in my left eye and that was better. I wore them for another hour, was evaluated by the doctor, and told to return tomorrow morning at 9.
I waited and waited for the hotel shuttle. I called and told them I was still waiting. Finally, an hour and a half later, the bus showed up. I was angry, but when I got back to the hotel, the receptionist apologized profusely and said she took $20 off my rate for the night. I used the money to pay for dinner at the Asian restaurant connected to the hotel. I was too exhausted to go any further. The food was surprisingly good.
This morning I had my first training session on insertion and removal of my new prescription lenses. It is not easy. So far I've been wearing them for an hour and I can see better than I've seen in years. The left lens is somewhat irritating. Once the doctor examines me, an adjustment can be made and I'll have the new lens tomorrow.
The computer gives me no vision problems; to read a book, however, I have to wear reading glasses. I'm not complaining. I've been wearing them for years.
The right lens fit perfectly; the left irritated my eye. They inserted another lens in my left eye and that was better. I wore them for another hour, was evaluated by the doctor, and told to return tomorrow morning at 9.
I waited and waited for the hotel shuttle. I called and told them I was still waiting. Finally, an hour and a half later, the bus showed up. I was angry, but when I got back to the hotel, the receptionist apologized profusely and said she took $20 off my rate for the night. I used the money to pay for dinner at the Asian restaurant connected to the hotel. I was too exhausted to go any further. The food was surprisingly good.
This morning I had my first training session on insertion and removal of my new prescription lenses. It is not easy. So far I've been wearing them for an hour and I can see better than I've seen in years. The left lens is somewhat irritating. Once the doctor examines me, an adjustment can be made and I'll have the new lens tomorrow.
The computer gives me no vision problems; to read a book, however, I have to wear reading glasses. I'm not complaining. I've been wearing them for years.
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