Saturday, January 29, 2011

Eye Surgery

I went this past Wednesday for my pre-op appointments. First at the eye doctors where I saw a video on how to prepare my eye before surgery and what to do after surgery. Then my eyes were measured and "mapped" if you will for the implants. This was all very impressive with the process and the equipment. I saw my doctor and I was given my kit. In there are samples of the drops, a shield that I will tape over the eye to sleep and a pair of dark sunglasses that are more like the safety glasses that needed to be worn in the factory. I also received prescriptions for the three drops needed twice daily per a prescribed schedule. I had previously visited the Walgreen's and found out the cost and decided I did not want generic. After all I only have these two eyes.

My next stop was the surgery center a short distance from the doctor's office. There I waited for 30 minutes to see someone for less than 5 minutes for pre-op instructions. I must bring my kit and wear a button shirt ( I have one) no food for 6 hours and no liquid for 4 hours before my appointment.

I dropped off the scrip and assumed everything would be good. The next day, I went for my drops only to find out that one (Bromday) was not filled and also not ordered because my plan would not cover any of the $170.00 cost. I told her I knew that. Why was I not contacted, these are needed for eye surgery. The whole pharmacy department looked as if they were deer in the headlights. I guess customer service at Walgreen's is severely lacking and the insurance company has more clout than the customer. I finally got the drops the next day. I am evaluating if I want to continue doing business with Walgreen's.

Tonight I start washing the eyelid and lashes on my right eye with diluted Johnson's baby shampoo. This will be done for three nights. Tomorrow morning I will start the twice daily regiment of one drop each of the three prescribed drops. One drop is for ten days, another for three weeks and the third for about two weeks. I have a chart.

Tuesday is surgery on the right eye. I will have to wear a shield over the eye for a week while the implant heals. This will stop rubbing of the eye in my sleep. Frankly I am worried about this part. I'm told you rub your eyes in your sleep. Must be very careful. I have purchased a pair of sunglasses as my prescription sunglasses can no longer be used.

I am looking forward to having the second eye done. I know my vision will be tremendously improved.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

A memorable week

We had a very nice and interesting week that just ended. It began last Saturday when my good pal from my Navy days arrived with his wife and grand daughter. They were spending the long weekend with us. The weather was sunny but not the warmth we had hoped for. Temperatures have been running about 10 degrees below normal. After lunch we went and walked out the Bay County pier. It is 1500 feel long and is a pleasant walk and the sea was a beautiful blue. We also went to St. Andrews State Park that afternoon. I had prepared a large pot of sauce, meatballs and Italian sweet sausage on Friday for our Saturday evening meal. Carol prepared wheat pasta. Carol and I started with the wheat pasta as a healthy choice and like it. Sunday the ladies went to Pier Park shopping after lunch. I took Hugh for a tour of historic old St. Andrews, the marina and other points of interest. Monday morning was spent relaxing over breakfast with my commitment that we would go to their home in Mississippi sometime in February.


Tuesday we waken to heavy fog and decided that we would see True Grit. It was an excellent movie. The young lady that portrayed Maddy stole the movie. Jeff Bridges was great (but no John Wayne) Matt Damon is a better Bourne than a Texas Ranger.
The sailing ship Peacemaker is spending the better part of January here in the Panama City Marina. They offer free tours from 10 AM until 4 PM each day. Donations are accepted but not mandatory. It is crewed by members of Twelve Tribes. Carol and I decided to tour the ship on Wednesday afternoon. I finally picked a dentist here and went for a cleaning in the morning.
The woodwork aboard the ship is just magnificent. I was really impressed with the condition of this vessel. Carol is standing in front of the bridge where all the modern equipment is located for guiding the ship while underway.

This is not a good picture of us but it does have the bow in the background and shows some of the rigging. Followed by a picture of one of the crow's nest.





Members of the crew produce pottery as a means of making some money to defray expenses. The pieces were very beautiful and were signed. I bought Carol a tee shirt and also bought the last four postcards. I had on my URI baseball cap and a young lady told me she was born in Providence. She asked if she could pet Pillo and I said she could hold him. She told me she was fourteen and I asked if she ever went aloft. Absolutely and my two sisters also go up to help furl the sails. I was quite impressed with her.

Another picture of the top of two of the masts.


I have been wanting to have dual exhausts installed on my F 150. Thursday morning I went to Mad Hatter on 23rd street and had a magnaflow one into two muffler installed. While I was doing this Carol went to see her primary care physician. She had a good check up and below is a picture of the exhaust pipes. I love the look and I am getting use to the sound. It is a little loud especially in low gear. On the highway the sound is barely noticeable.


Earlier in the week I made an appointment with Dr. Hasty. He was highly recommended by my barber. I have been having increasingly more difficulty seeing with my right eye. I really like the doctor. The scale for cataracts is from zero to four. My right eye is between 3 1/2 and 4. My left eye is close to 3. I have agreed to have the surgery and I will also have lens implant. The right eye will be done first and the left eye 3 or 4 weeks later. I will not have to wear glasses except maybe for reading. I have been wearing glasses for a long time. I am looking forward to this process being completed. I will periodically comment on the progress.


Saturday, January 08, 2011

Clink - Clink - Clink

Not too long ago, I was reading the local paper while Carol was showering and getting ready for a shopping trip with her good friend, Victoria. I heard her exclaim in a panicky voice, Oh S@*%t! Oh honey something horrible has happened. I jumped up thinking something happened to Pillo our newest Chihuahua who likes to lay on Carol's robe while she showers. I rushed in and immediately saw Pillo also looking upset. What is the matter? It was a most horrible sound as she began to cry. What sound? "Clink-clink-clink' she said. I was cleaning my diamond earring and that is the sound it made going down the drain in the sink. I hugged her and asked her not to cry as I do not like to see women crying. It will be OK, I said trying not to laugh. Stay calm, I will get it back or else we will have the jewelry store make another with a matching quality diamond. "I only want that one she sobbed, they are special you bought them for me when we started to get serious." I told her to finish getting ready and go shopping and do not run the water. I looked under the sink and realized I did not have the proper tools. I had met a local plumber when he worked on my neighbor's water line. I called him and a few hours later he came. Within five minutes he had the diamond. When I asked how much, he said no need we do this all the time. I thanked him and I then called Carol and told her I had the earring.