23/01/2008

From Bad to Worse

Just a quick doom and gloom health update..

My worst fear were realised when the consultant last week said the retina had re- detached and I needed to be seen urgently by a retinal surgeon so after lots of phoning and anxious waiting he found one in Nottingham who could see me the next day.

That was last Friday and that afternoon I had a second operation to re-attach the retina and fix the tiny tear. He has put in a longer lasting gas and also a sceral buckle which somehow physically holds the retina in place. As it was a longer operation he wanted me to have a general anaesthetic so I had to stay in hospital overnight.

I have to lie on my side all night and in the day lie down on my side for twenty minutes in each hour. Not too difficult..

Even with all this the odds aren't great. For a first re-attachment they say 97% but for the second they drop to 80%.... I'm still feeling really despondent and depressed... I know that was made worse by the anaesthetic but I'm over that now and still feeling unhopeful. I'm sure I can see a shadowy thing where the shadow was last week that was the retina detaching and I'm not seeing the consultant until Friday.

But on a lighter note have you seen this? It's a Colinette throw kit called Mondrian's Tree House and the colour I like (have got!) is Tableau - the one in the main picture. I had to have it as an advance birthday present because I think this sort of knitting is within my capabilities at the moment and it might cheer me up.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope everything goes well with your recovery.

(i'll keep you in my thoughts.)

that bit of time between the operation and the follow up appointment is a very trying time.

Arianwen said...

I have everything crossed. The odds are still good. try not to worry until you see the consultant again. The blanket is lovely just the thing for snuggling up to when you are feeling under the weather.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I am so hoping for a good outcome for you even if you do not have one for yourself. I'm sure the waiting is terribly nerve-wracking as well. Just know that lots of good thoughts are being sent your way...

florencemary said...

I'm so sorry you're feeling so down about your eye; I can't begin to imagine how horrible it's all been for you. But remember that for every 2 people who's op fails the second time round, there are another 8 people, where it's successful. Fingers crossed, Kathryn...

The Colinette rug is beautiful - such lovely shades! I'm really drawn to this type of knitting (see my Ravelry queue!).

Jacqui said...

oh Kathryn, rotten luck, but with a different surgeon and the odds are still very good, so, everything crossed for you. The throw is lovely, btw, but your knitting is always lovely. Tinking of you. xx

Joy said...

Kathryn, just to let you know you are in my thoughts.

Hellbelle said...

Just came by to wish you a happy birthday for yesterday and I read this - how terrible for you. I hope that everything goes well and you are mended soon.

Hope you had a nice day despite this :)