Good news first. I saw Dr. Mackie last week and had an echocardiogram. The news was really good. The drugs are working, and my heart is working as well as it can be. Which is fantastic!
Less-good news is that on July 21,I had a vitreal hemorrhage in my left eye. This is the same thing that happened in my right eye on Christmas Eve 2016 and took 10 months to resolve, culminating in two surgeries.
As a result, I can’t see clearly from my left eye. It’s like looking through a tight mesh smeared with Vaseline. My depth perception is basically non-existent, and I can’t lift anything at all or bend down.
I have a new retina doc, Dr. Handza, who I like a lot and trust. When I saw him first weeks back, I explained that I have an event coming up that I’d love to be able to see clearly because I’ve been planning it for five years. We talked through several scenarios, but ultimately, it’s not gonna happen. It would be far too risky to rush the treatment.
What is going to happen is that today I had several shots in the eye. Not fun, but had to be done. On September 18, he’ll shoot some lasers in the eye (probably—it depends on the vitreous gel clearing enough for him to be able to see what he’s lasering). Pew! Pew!
Then some weeks later, I’ll have surgery on the left eye.
So. This is incredibly frustrating, and absolutely the last thing in the world I needed right at the moment. But I’m doing what I can, and trying to find a reserve of patience that I sometimes doubt exists.
And I’m trying hard to focus on the positive. In a mere few weeks (eek!) Bouchercon is going to happen, and it’s going to be great. The team of people working on it are amazing. I am surrounded by heroes and have all the support in the world.
Thank you for reading. It means the world to me.
Erin, Dr. Handza has been wonderful with my husband’s macular degeneration. He’s amazing. So caring and compassionate as well. Southern HUGS!
Will he say “Pew! Pew!” as he’s lasering your eye? ‘Cause that might be disconcerting.
He won’t…but I will 😉
Such good news about your heart, Erin, but I’m so sorry about your eyes. How scary and frustrating. Are you able to read, at least? (I ask with particular interest because I’ve been having trouble reading more than very short passages due to autoimmune-related eye problems, and I miss it terribly. Audiobooks are great, but ink on paper is my real love.)
Wishing you the very best and fastest recovery possible. xx
Thank you so much, Hope. I can read, but mostly on the ereader at the moment, and slower than my normal slow reading. But I’m grateful I can because I feel the same about audiobooks.
Not good news for sure. Praying.
Erin, I’m elated at the good news, saddened by the not so good, but not at all concerned at your ability to turn Bouchercon 2018 into one of the best…no matter what the personal obstacles!!! Feel better, kick butt, and enjoy—you’ve more than earned it. 🙂
Sending strong healing energy your way. xoxo
I can’t imagine… and I jabbed broom bristles into my left eye once. The pain was excruciating! Tantrum-like ugly crying when I had to pry it open to put the meds in. I am hoping the pain is minimal & your recovery is quick!
so glad to hear the good news! Hugs about the rest. Much love and So looking forward to seeing you, whether I am fussy or not
You’re my hero, Erin.