Attended My Niece's Wedding

We spent the previous weekend attending my niece's wedding. She got married to really nice kid and they make a wonderful couple. I know they'll be really happy together. My brother and sister came in from out of town, and overall, it was just a fun weekend to spend with family, catch up on old times, and just have a great time.

Seeing Double

This morning, my eyes weren't doing so well. I woke up and things just weren't right. I had to work at 8 am, and I just couldn't put my finger on the problem. We had a business presentation to attend, and while viewing the PowerPoint slides up on the big screen, I realized I was seeing double. Sure enough, all the text had a shadow, to the right and down about 1/16". I believe my eyes were just really, really dry, or tired, not sure. But, I used extra drops, about once every hour throughout the day, and it eventually improved. It kind of freaked me out, but a co worker who also has had LASIK surgery said it is a normal part of the healing process. I hope so, otherwise, I'll be needing a surgery enhancement in the very near future to correct this new-found astigmatism.

Eyes Doing Well

I had my 1-week-post-LASIK eye appointment today. My left eye has improved to 20/15, and my right eye is 20/20. The doctor did say though that my eyes were a little dry (to be expected) and that I really need to be using the drops as often as possible. I've noticed over the last couple of days, sometimes my vision is a little fuzzy and this happens when my eyes get dry. Otherwise, everything else looks good, and overall, I'm still happy with the results. Outside vision is 100% crystal clear, and that's to be expected as well, since the bright light keeps the pupil more closed and thus focuses the light a bit more. I now am on my own for the next month, and will go back in mid January for the next followup.

Winter Storm Winding Down

Well, the storm is finally over. We received about one quarter inch of ice, with about 2 inches of snow on top of that. It's really not that bad here locally, but I believe it's much, much worse across southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa. There, they've received almost three quarters of an inch of ice, with a lot of locations without power. I was able to get out and scoop off the driveway, although the ice layer remains underneath the snow. Roads don't look that bad, at least the plows have been through at least once with some sand as well.

Emergency

My wife woke up in extreme pain this morning, around 1 am. It was enough pain that she was doubled over, moaning loudly, and in quite a bit of agony. We immediately diagnosed it as a kidney stone, given her symptoms. With an ice storm raging outside, we didn't have a choice but to drive to the emergency room. I woke our 11 year old daughter to tell her that we were going to the hospital, and that we'd be back as soon as we could.

After a 3 hour visit to the ER, a CT scan confirmed that she has a 1mm kidney stone. While that's not huge, it was enough to cause the severe pain. The doctors gave her some pain medicine, and said hopefully it will pass within 24 hours. It was currently lodged in the valve between the kidney and the bladder and that was causing the pain.

Actually, the roads weren't that bad, surprisingly. The road crews had been out all evening treating them, and with the traction control on our car, we had no problems.

It sure has been an expensive week medically for us. A root canal, LASIK eye surgery, and now a trip to the ER for a kidney stone. Let's see, that's about $7500 so far. A few more bucks and we could actually deduct our medical expenses this year on our taxes. Ha.

It's amazing that these things always come at the most undesirable time. Like my tooth ache last weekend, and now my wife's kidney stone in the middle of the night during an ice storm. Sure wish we could time these things better, so they don't fall over the weekend, and not all at once. Spreading them out over the course of year would also help, rather than in a span of 8 days. Wow.

Beautiful Snow

We had a beautiful snow today, about 4.5 inches. There wasn't a lot of wind with the snow either, which made it very pretty. By mid afternoon, the snow had stopped, and I was able to scoop out not only our driveway, but several neighbor's as well. By 2 pm, the sun had come out, and it was all over. I love snows like this. Not too much so it doesn't impede travel, and just enough to cover everything to make it white and pristine. I wish all snow storms were like this one.

Better Than I Expected

I went to my doctor's appointment this afternoon for a day 1 post op checkup. They indicated that I'm seeing 20/20 in my left eye, and 20/25 in my right eye. Wow, that's pretty good. Again, still a haze around all objects, but I can definitely see through it, and it will eventually go away (hopefully).

Mall Masacre

I can't believe what has just happened. A shooter has entered the Westroads Mall here in Omaha and shot and killed 8 innocent people, and wounded 5 others. This is so tragic, and I feel so sad for the victims and their families. Such a waste.

Day 1 Post LASIK

I woke up this morning and could see. I could actually see really well. It was a very surreal feeling to see so well just 15 hours after the surgery yesterday evening. My eyes didn't really hurt, and weren't that dry. There is still a haze around all objects, and that's normal, and will continue for some time as I continue to heal. But, through the haze, everything is clear. I printed out some random eye charts to gage my progress, and I'm guessing I'm seeing around 20/30 this morning. I have a doctors appointment this afternoon to make sure that everything is still ok.

The surgery yesterday was actually pretty easy. I arrived about 20 minutes prior to my scheduled time and completed the final paperwork. I had to sign one more waiver indicating that I understood the risks, etc. I had to arrange for payment (yes, they expect you to pay first), and then I waited for about 10 minutes. They took me back into a pre-surgical room, took my blood pressure, gave me a series of eye drops, and gave me a Valium and a Motrin. The surgeon came in to speak with me, and then examined my eyes one more time with the microscope just to make sure there weren't any deal breakers. I was then escorted into the laser room and lied down on the bench.

In a couple more minutes, there were ready to begin. They added a few more eye drops, taped my left eye shut and attached a suction cup to my right eye. My vision went black, and they then used a laser to create the corneal flap. I didn't hear or see the laser, but it only took about 5 seconds. They then reversed the procedure and cut the corneal flap on my left eye. Again, I didn't hear it or see it, and it only took about 5 seconds and was painless, although there was pressure.

Then they inserted another instrument in my right eye, lifted the flap, and positioned the laser. They asked me watch the blinking red light, and in about a minute, after lining everything up, the process began. I could hear zap-zap-zap and could smell a faint smell of burning flesh. The actual laser process lasted less than 30 seconds. The laser was removed, my corneal flap was replaced, and my eye was irrigated to help smooth out the flap. The whole process was repeated for my left eye, nearly identical procedures.

After the surgery, I stood up and could see. Things were blurry and hazy, but I could see. They took a picture of me with the surgeon, then placed some protective goggles on my head, and then checked my post-op vital signs. My blood pressure was about 2 points lower then when going in. Then, I left. I was at the surgery center about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Immediately after the surgery, I could see, but I would guess something like 20/80 or 20/100. I could make out letters, etc, but couldn't see very clearly. I came home, had some dinner, and lied down to rest. I watched TV through the evening and dozed off and on. By about 1100 PM, my vision had significantly improved. Still fuzzy, but much better than just after the surgery. I did the eye drops as directed and went to bed. I slept well.

LASIK Surgery Today

Today is the day for my LASIK surgery. I'm slightly nervous, but overall, am very positive about the outcome of the surgery. I've thought a lot about this over the last couple of weeks, and have gone from not wanting to risk my eyesight, not wanting to give up what I have now (crystal clear vision), versus feeling bad for not having done this sooner. I have confidence in the surgeon and have confidence that everything will be OK. It's an expensive procedure, but something I'm willing to pay considering the benefits I'll be receiving. After today, my life will be changed forever. Wow.

My First Root Canal

It was a rough night last night. The pain in my tooth was so bad that I couldn't sleep. Nothing helped either. I took about 10 Advil over the course of the night, which did absolutely nothing at all. The Anbesol didn't help, and neither did ice packs. I was in extreme pain the whole night. This morning, I called the dentist at 745 am, enroute to his office, hoping that he could get me in immediately. Their first response was that they were overbooked today, and could I come in tomorrow. I politely said, "No, this can't wait until tomorrow. Plus, I have eye surgery scheduled tomorrow too." Then they said that I could come in at 1pm today, and they would squeeze me in through the afternoon, but that I'd be there several hours. I again said, "No, this can't wait. I'm in extreme pain, we've got to do this now." So, they conceded that I should come in right away this morning. I agreed.

Overall, the procedure wasn't as bad as I envisioned. Bascially, it's just like getting a cavity filled, but longer. The dentist gave me a shot of juice, and said that we'd know right away if the tooth needed a root canal if the pain went away. The pain did go away, and I felt much better. He then game me about 3 more shots, and the procedure began. He drilled out the former filling in my tooth, then cleaned and filed out the roots (I had three), then placed a rubber filler in the voids. He then put a temporary filling in and sent me home. It did take about 2 1/2 hours, but it didn't hurt. I could hear everything he was doing, I just couldn't feel it.

So, $795 for the root canal, and another $805 for a crown that I have to get put on in a couple of weeks. Yikes. That's $1600. But, at the time, I didn't care what it cost to have it fixed. And, we don't have any dental insurance to cover that. Ugh. Oh well, I didn't have a choice in the matter, and it was either deal with the pain, or have the procedure done.

Tooth Pain

Yesterday evening was pretty rough. The pain in my tooth continued to increase, to the point that I thought I'd have to go to the emergency room at one point. I had my wife get some Anbesol, and used an ice pack to help manage it. While the pain was pretty bad, it eventually settled back to a dull ache. This morning, I called the dentist at his home residence and discussed my options. He said he could do a root canal today if the pain was unbearable, or if it could wait until tomorrow, to call right away in the morning to see when they could fit me in. I decided to wait as the pain was just a dull ache, and decided to just tough it out. It will be a long day.

An Ice Storm

We experienced an ice storm today. It started about 4 am this morning, and lingered through much of the day. Ice accumulations locally were around one quarter inch, but by early afternoon, a warm front moved through the area and shot temperatures up to near 50. So, the ice melted pretty quickly, and there wasn't too much damage. There were a few downed limbs and trees here and there, but overall, just a quick shot.

I did have a tooth ache today. Back in August, I had a cavity filled. The dentist said that it was deeper than he thought, and questioned whether or not I might eventually need a root canal on the tooth. I haven't had much trouble over the last few months, except some acute sensitivity to hot and cold. Otherwise, that's been it. But, I think something is definitely wrong, as now it's a constant, dull ache that just won't go away.

We also had to cancel the wedding shower for my niece, which was scheduled for 2 pm in Fairbury. With the ice storm, they all felt it just wasn't worth it to have people on the roads risking their lives. She's getting married at the end of December so they'll have to push the shower back to January. That's too bad.