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Ok, let's try that again. Now I'm back, after having two cataracts removed and two intraocular lens implants inserted. Now instead of being nearsighted, which I had been since I was a child, I am now farsighted. But at least I can now pay ten bucks at the drugstore for my glasses.
The prospect of having eye surgery was frightening. I wondered if I'd be able to keep my eye still, would I see the instruments coming toward my eye, and how much would it hurt? I went into surgery in November very nervous. I came out wondering why I had been so afraid. I felt nothing, saw nothing but a bright light, and couldn't have moved my eye if I wanted to. Sure, having to put drops in my eye four times a day for four weeks was a hassle, but a small price to pay. In December the other eye was done, and since I knew what to expect I wasn't a bit concerned. But I felt the surgeon start work, and complained loudly, so he gave me more pain medicine and the rest of the surgery was a piece of cake. Afterward he asked me how I felt. I told him I felt like someone had poked me in the eye. He replied,"Guilty as charged!"
Of course then I had to do the eye drop thing all over again. But now that's over, and I am back to my regular routine. Except that I then had to start using a CPAP machine. I couldn't do that until the eye doctor gave his okay, as it tends to blow air in my eyes when I least expect it.
Now the CPAP is a whole different story. I had been having to sit straight up in bed in the middle of the night, to catch my breath. Not a good sign. I also woke up every morning with an hypoxic headache, and tended to fall asleep anytime I sat down for a few minutes. So the sleep study (a miserable experience, and I had to do it twice!) showed that I was hardly getting any sleep at all.
Getting used to a CPAP machine is a real challenge, and after two weeks I am still having difficulty wearing it for more than 4 or 5 hours per night. It is an uncomfortable feeling, especially for someone who is mildly claustrophobic anyway. The "nasal pillows" tend to leak air, and it is virtually impossible to speak or breathe through my mouth with it on. I have mastered taking care of the machine, mask, and tubing; keeping the humidifier filled; and putting the headgear on in the dark. I am adjusting to breathing only through my nose, after getting a prescription for a steroid nasal spray for my allergies. Now if I can figure out how to turn from side to side without dislodging the thing, I will be satisfied. I also think I need to get a chin strap for it, as I tend to try to open my mouth even though it gags me if I do. Thirty years of mouth-breathing is hard to overcome. That's what usually wakes me up in the middle of the night, either gagging or dislodging the nasal pillows when I turn. They make a loud hissing noise when that happens.
My husband swears it doesn't keep him awake, but he does end up on the couch more often since I started using it. Normally the sound of it is less than the fan we keep on for white noise anyway. I have managed to twice sleep through the night with it, although it did wake me up a couple of times when I turned. But oh, how I wish I didn't need it. My husband comments that I seem to be better oxygenated during the night, no longer snore (even when I throw the darn thing aside) and seem better rested during the day. I don't feel that much better yet, but it's early days.
The prospect of having eye surgery was frightening. I wondered if I'd be able to keep my eye still, would I see the instruments coming toward my eye, and how much would it hurt? I went into surgery in November very nervous. I came out wondering why I had been so afraid. I felt nothing, saw nothing but a bright light, and couldn't have moved my eye if I wanted to. Sure, having to put drops in my eye four times a day for four weeks was a hassle, but a small price to pay. In December the other eye was done, and since I knew what to expect I wasn't a bit concerned. But I felt the surgeon start work, and complained loudly, so he gave me more pain medicine and the rest of the surgery was a piece of cake. Afterward he asked me how I felt. I told him I felt like someone had poked me in the eye. He replied,"Guilty as charged!"
Of course then I had to do the eye drop thing all over again. But now that's over, and I am back to my regular routine. Except that I then had to start using a CPAP machine. I couldn't do that until the eye doctor gave his okay, as it tends to blow air in my eyes when I least expect it.
Now the CPAP is a whole different story. I had been having to sit straight up in bed in the middle of the night, to catch my breath. Not a good sign. I also woke up every morning with an hypoxic headache, and tended to fall asleep anytime I sat down for a few minutes. So the sleep study (a miserable experience, and I had to do it twice!) showed that I was hardly getting any sleep at all.
Getting used to a CPAP machine is a real challenge, and after two weeks I am still having difficulty wearing it for more than 4 or 5 hours per night. It is an uncomfortable feeling, especially for someone who is mildly claustrophobic anyway. The "nasal pillows" tend to leak air, and it is virtually impossible to speak or breathe through my mouth with it on. I have mastered taking care of the machine, mask, and tubing; keeping the humidifier filled; and putting the headgear on in the dark. I am adjusting to breathing only through my nose, after getting a prescription for a steroid nasal spray for my allergies. Now if I can figure out how to turn from side to side without dislodging the thing, I will be satisfied. I also think I need to get a chin strap for it, as I tend to try to open my mouth even though it gags me if I do. Thirty years of mouth-breathing is hard to overcome. That's what usually wakes me up in the middle of the night, either gagging or dislodging the nasal pillows when I turn. They make a loud hissing noise when that happens.
My husband swears it doesn't keep him awake, but he does end up on the couch more often since I started using it. Normally the sound of it is less than the fan we keep on for white noise anyway. I have managed to twice sleep through the night with it, although it did wake me up a couple of times when I turned. But oh, how I wish I didn't need it. My husband comments that I seem to be better oxygenated during the night, no longer snore (even when I throw the darn thing aside) and seem better rested during the day. I don't feel that much better yet, but it's early days.
*****
I have started teaching my two granddaughters to quilt. They are homeschooled by their mother and having me teach home-ec twice a week gives her a break; plus I love getting to know them better. I have started them on a Rail Fence pattern, and they are making great progress. For girls who had never touched a sewing machine, they can really make those things hum. They need to concentrate more on accuracy, but speed is their forte. We are having a blast.
*****
