Eye Event

Well it is the day after. Here is some information about my left eye cataract removal procedure of yesterday.

Day of surgery...It was almost postponed because as soon as they attached the ekg(?) a very unusual heart rhythm was shown. Well they had to call my doctor’s nurse in Montrose and she had to tell him, and then he had to tell her to call them back and tell them it is ok to go ahead. I already told them that I have had a heart murmur all my life. I was becoming totally irritated, angry and uncomfortable that was for sure! In fact my own doctor put it on the paper he faxed for permission for surgery. Maybe they didn’t see that or maybe they didn’t know what his comment said when it came to the heart check box. It said, 2/6 SEM (I think)(I have a copy of that fax). They said this wasn't a heart murmur and it was concerning. Anyway they hadn’t started the anesthesia and I laid there all restrained and taped, for over 1/2 hour. The strong tape they used to hold my eye open and my head and shoulders in place was terrible when they took it off. It stuck too well and my skin is way thin. It did not tear my skin but it felt like it was going to. My right eye is fine, the left one still burning and scratching. I go to Monrose office for follow up tomorrow at 2:30. The story will continue I guess..I’m doing my 3 different drops as the guide chart instructs. 

When I was in the surgery room there were five other patients on lined-up beds. Our heads were covered with a mesh 'bonnet' our feet with 'booties' and a full covered robe on our entire body. It felt like being in a production line! Yes, there was more than one surgeon and anesthesiologist and many nurses. I had three tapes on my wrist - one for ID, one for allergies and one to alert that right limb is not normally functional. (my arm)

After the surgery was complete, surgeon said it may take 2-3 months for total healing and I am known as a slow healer! Oh well It’s done and it’s time to move forward.

Today the burning and scratching have diminished somewhat and I've noticed that when I look through new eye lens, colors are washed out. Whites are whiter and blacks are darker compared to looking through right eye. I didn't sleep well. It was hard to sleep on my back and right side - not easy because I’m mostly a left side sleeper!

During my follow-up visit today I will have questions. I was previously encouraged by eye doc to get other eye done. Will talk about that during this at this appointment.

Hand where anesthesia was put into vein is sure purple after removing bandaid.

Memorial Day

THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY IS NOT ALL ABOUT PARADES, PICNICS AND PARTIES.

I was brought up to be respectful of our American flag and all it stands for. I pledged allegiance to my flag every school morning before class started. My family always had a flag on a pole in our front yard, putting it up every morning and taking it down at sunset. The lives lost in all of the wars when protecting our country were remembered with dignified and solemn ceremonies. I have red white and blue in my heart, especially as I age, realizing the sacrifice that was made for our freedom. In 1947 at 11, I wrote this poem. The train had stopped in Morristown NJ, the town where we lived and we were there! I went aboard that train with my mother and brother. I saw what it carried!

Patriotism ruled in those days. Entire families waited on the train station platform for this special happening in our small town.

The Freedom Train - Complete Piece

Oh Freedom Train we’re glad to say,
you’re like the flag we use today.
With royal colors, red and blue,
Inside we’ll go to look at you,

Oh, papers rare, and very old,
Are precious more than mints of gold.
With rights secured will always be,
So safe and pure for you and me.

Slogan: The Freedom Train is a symbol of freedom.

By Geraldine, 1947

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Original Freedom Train with an Honor Guard Detachment of 29 United States Marines in their dress blues who guarded the train and served as interpreters. The Red, White and Blue Diesel Electric Streamliner traveled on a 37,160-mile tour which began in Philadelphia on September 17, 1947, traveling to all 48 states, and ended on January 22, 1949 in Washington D.C. 
It was the only train-set ever to operate in every state, operating on 52 different railroads. Over 3 million people went aboard the Train during its stops in 326 cities and towns across the land. At many of the stops, people waited in line more than six hours to go aboard. The highest single-day attendance was 14,615. The Freedom Train housed America's most precious documents and other national treasures, including the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, one of the 13 original copies of the Constitution, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address, the Iwo Jima flag, the German and Japanese surrender documents that ended World War II, a precious original of the Magna Carta, written in 1215.                  source http://www.northeast.railfan.net/1947freedom.html