Archive for the ‘Recovery’ Category

I have decided to add some new photos today, please be reminded that these photos show me without an eye or an eye patch. They aren’t as bad as i’m sure you are picturing right now! Take a look if you like.

** Be sure to check out my previous post containing images to compare. Click here for those.

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In my own opinion, i feel like I’ve adapted to having an eye enucleation  quite well. I think I went through the normal ups and downs, the insecurities, the worrysome nights and so on but now I finally feel comfortable in my own skin.

It has come to a point where now, I don’t even wear an eye patch 90% of the time. People automatically assume that with an eye being removed there is going to be some huge gaping home in your socket — but that’s not true. I’ve heard all of the jokes, “Will I see your brain?” “Can you use the prosthetic eye to play marbles”, “Why not use a bouncy ball for an eye” .. and more. It used to bother be … but one day I just woke up and accepted it all with a grain of salt.

I now find myself blatantly pointing out that I had an eye removed, or need assistance doing something. I’ve noticed a lot of people are more ‘concerned’ than ‘grossed out’ and with me getting it off of my chest right away makes for a less stressful time. No more hiding behind eye patches and dark glasses (unless it’s necessary, of course). I had my eye removed and until I get the prosthetic one I am going to embrace every moment.

With that said, I am going to try to post some new blogs with pictures, and more information on the enucleation surgery itself. I am really hoping to help other people out during such a time as mine.

I thank each and everyone of you fro commenting & reading.

Exactly one month from today my journey of recovery should be finished. I am due to have my prosthetic eye 100% complete by then and needless to say – I cant wait!

I have to tell you guys about last night. It was probably one of the most memorable nights of my life. My family members all got together and planned a benefit dance for me. I am unable to work, as you all know, I have a mortgage, a daughter, bills, etc and Matthew is only getting part time work. We were finding it hard to make ends meet.

Every week we are having to make a 5 hour trip (one way) to a hospital to be monitored, pay a babysitter while we were gone as well as try to save up money for the actual eye itself. The stress of our financial woes were taking a huge toll on us so last night a benefit dance and silent auction was held in aid of my medical expenses.

I don’t have an exact number amount of how much was raised but I can tell you that the auction brought in just under $2,000 and we were given about $7,000 between family, friends and local organizations that help out. I will say I am not one to take handouts however, i greatly appreciate what they have done for us.

I cannot believe how kind people can be. There may be some awful things going on in this world but there is also a ton of good. I cried all night, and all morning opening up and reading everyone well wishes to me. I am so relieved to know that we do have enough to cover the eye and other travel expenses and do not have to worry about running up our credit cards and taking loans.

A huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders last night & I thank everyone who helped out and in anyway whatsoever.

I feel like I have been doing well coping with the loss of my eye however, wearing the eye patches seems to make me feel more insecure than anything.

I find without my patch it still looks like I still have an eye there, it’s just red. There is a piece of plastic called a conformer in there to help hold the shape of my socket / lid and eith it’s shape, and being clear it just looks like I had an eye that has a broken blood vessel, or the likes.

I don’t wear an eye pacth 99.9% of the tiem whe I am home or around family / friends but the other day I ahd to go to a bridal shower and I fel as though everyone was staring at me. It makes me really insecure. I think I’d almost rather nothave the pacth because to me it seems less noticeable.

On another note: One month from Friday and I’ll have a shiny new prosthetic eye in there. I sure hope that month flies. I am kind of getting tired of waiting.

I had a checkup done on Wednesday, just before my three week post op date and everything is going well. The conformer had fallen out of my eye once, but I was able to put it back in myself correctly.

As of right now I do not have another checkup with my local eye doctor for a month, however, I will be making a trip back to the doctor who had preformed my surgery sometime soon.

I am currently suffering from a cold / sinus infection. I’ve noticed that snezing really hurts but I’ve been taking some allergy medication to help with that and so far so goof. Other than that there is not much new!

I am so amazed at the overwhelming responses I’ve had through email, twitter, facebook, etc about my surgery. All of the wonderful and positive vibes I had sent my way really paid off.

I am currently home and recovering. I got home yesterday afternoon. The drive home was horrible and I am very sore, but doing okay. I am on some Tylenol #3′s with codeine and as long as they are taken on time the pain is very minimal.

I currently have a huge bandage like wrap over my eye, cheek, and forehead which means i am not able to put my reading glasses on. The bandage should be coming off tomorrow so I will work on a more detailed blog about the surgery and recovery so far once I can read well.

I am finding it very hard to stay awake. I am sleeping a lot which passes the time away. I just wanted to pop online here and let ya’ll know how i’m doing. Thanks again for all of the welll wishes and check back for a more detailed blog over the next day or two.