Friday, November 20, 2015

Our Christmas and New Year Holidays

Our Holidays were spent very quietly!


It was discovered in early December, 2009 that my husband had a Macular Hole in his left eye.
The retinal specialist determined that he could repair it by performing a Vitrectomy.

So on December 16, 2009 My husband had Vitrectomy Surgery.

In this surgery the retinal specialist removes the vitreous gel to stop it from pulling on the retina. Then he inserts a mixture of Air and gas into the space once occupied by the vitreous.

This bubble of air and gas puts pressure on the edges of the macular hole, allowing it to heal.

While the bubble is in the eye, y0u must remain face down for 22-24 hours a day so that the bubble stays in the right place in the eye, sometimes for as long as two to three weeks!





We were able to obtain this special chair in order for him to live a reasonably normal life while remaining face down.














Although it can be very boring and obnoxious to stay this way for so long, this approach is absolutely necessary for you to achieve the best vision after surgery.

The gas bubble gradually goes away over time, and natural eye fluids take its place while the hole is healing.

After surgery for a macular hole using a gas bubble, you won't be able to travel by air for several months, because the gas can expand with pressure changes, causing eye damage.








He ate on this tray...I could sit on the floor and visit with him...

















As you can see by the remote on his tray that he watched lots and lots of T.V. with the use of a two way reflective mirror (which if you look very closely you can see sitting on the tray)


























At night (for sleeping) the top part of the head rest had a long section that slid between the mattress and box springs of the bed...and we slept sideways in the bed with his head hanging off and resting in the headrest with his arms resting on the tray...





















After 10 days he was able to sit up...but at night he must sleep on his right side with his nose facing the bed...

Today is January 12, 2010, the gas bubble is 60 % dissipated...he can see well over the top of the bubble... but the portion of sight through the bubble looks like he is looking through a fish tank...

The doctor assures us that the gas bubble will eventually be completely dissipated and he will have complete vision...

It is amazing what can be done through medicine and surgery now...
progress is wonderful...

Love Mimi

10 comments:

Mike Golch said...

I'm glad to hear that he is on the mend.that looks like no fun to be like he is each day.

Cathy said...

That is amazing, Dear, but what he is having to go through is really rough! Praying for his complete recovery ~

Mary said...

Mimi,

That must be very difficult but when the alternative is losing your eyesight, it's well worth it. Glad to know his sight is improving. I have him on my prayer list.

Blessings,
Mary

Norm said...

Joe

What a pain this must be and I assume you are still in the same position today. An amazing procedure. No one tod us when we got older that health would be a cake walk.

Melissa said...

Do you remember when my husband had a cornea transplant? I had to go upstairs and tell him about this. It doesn't sound fun but I am sure it is better than the alternative.

Paula said...

Oh my goodness, that just can't be comfortable for long term. I'm glad he's healing and will send up healing prayers for him as well.

Jodi said...

Dad's a good sport for posing. ;o)

Love you both!

Dawn said...

Wow, that looks so grueling - makes my back hurt just looking at the pictures! You have done a good job of making the best of a very difficult situation.

Unknown said...

Bless you for writing this blog! I am having the same procedure next Wednesday and have been very apprehensive about it as you can imagine. I too, amd going to rent the "upside down equipment" as my husband calls it.
Thank you for the pictures as well. I hope that your husband is doing well and that he can see better.

Mimi said...

thanks for your comments Booneytunes
and thanks for the visit...
I hope you do well with your surgery...
my husband still has a little of the gas bubble...but he can do everything but pour a glass of water LOL!!!
when he looks down to pour into the glass he sees the bubble and cannot tell when he has water in the glass...
comment back on my blog again and let me know how you did with the "keeping your head down"!!!