I had the second of three laser treatments to my retina in my left eye yesterday. It's not something I'd recommend for a good time...it HURTS!! I've got some diabetic retinopathy happening in that eye, but my vision is still very good. We're trying to keep it that way, so they're using a special laser to cauterize and coagulate tissue within and surrounding my retina. It will stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels/capillaries and stop the occasional bleeds I've been having. One more treatment to go next Thursday, and I should be done.
It involves very dialated eyes, numbing drops, VERY bright lights beamed into the eye, a contact-lens type focusing lens that goes completely over the eye to focus the beam (and keeps you from closing your eye), and a skilled retina specialist doctor looking through a scope, aiming and doing the zapping. It gives you a massive headache on that side of your head and a sore eye for about eight hours (and blurry vision in that eye for about a week), so you need a couple doses of good pain meds...after that, Tylenol or ibuprofen will take care of it.
I toughed it out, went to Folk Club two hours after the procedure, and totally enjoyed the Pat Wictor concert last night. So far, so good with the eye. It's a little red and irritated-looking today, but that's small compared to going blind in that eye. Sure glad this problem is fixable if you get to it early!

I am really happy to hear the fantastic news Sue!!!

Yeah, it beats the hell out of going blind in that eye! I am so used to the freedom of jumping in the car and just going wherever...blindness is not something that has ever been factored in. The pain is nothing and totally worth it for the great benefits.

Excellent!!!!!!!

That's great Sue, isn't it amazing what they can do nowadays. It is tough to go through it but as you say, the outcome is worth everything. Good luck and less pain for next Thursday.

Good luck with it. So glad you are gonna be okay. I know how bad diabetic retinopathy can be. Mike had it and diabetes and did not know it. It caused him to be blind and not even know it. He drove he and I all the way to his sisters in Ohio in 94 legally blind from it and not even knowing it. His trouble seeing caused him to go to his sisters eye dr who pronounced him diabetic and with diabetic retinopathy and legally blind from it. A weeks trip to Ohio (and we were gonna come back for 2 weeks again in the summer) became a 6 months stay. From Memorial day till the end of Sept. Thank God we were with family. He had to go get a number a laser treatments for it. He could no longer drive and had to read with a magnifying glass. And he never rarely complained and was never mad about it. He handled it so well. I had to take over and do all the driving. I saw what diabetic retinopathy can do to someone so am glad Sue is gonna be okay. I know up in heaven Mike has his vision back and is seeing better than he ever has before. Anyway continued good eye sight and vibes and prayers for Sue...

So glad your doctor caught this early, Sue, and that treatment is going well! Sending vibes from here!

Sending vibes from here, glad you're going to be o.k.

Sue, my aunt has this but caught it too late and now is completely blind. I will be thinking about you on Thursday, please be sure to let us know how it goes!!!!!!!!

Prayers and vibes just sent to your Aunt and Sue...

Haven't been on the forum for ages, but sending you good vibes from far away Sue!

Hope you're doing well. And more vibes to Sue...

Hi Sue ,
I hope you are doing well, and I am wishing you well this week...

Here is the story about how my Aunt Dorothy found out she had diabetes and retinpothy. Dodo, to know her is to love her. She is an authentic person. What happended is first she had a love she lost. Her lover, soulmate and husband who survived WWII to get married to her, died at too early an age. I think when he was 40. Now she is 85. She loved this guy fiercely. I honor this kind of love.

There was no way she was going to remarry for looks or money! Even in the early 70's , she was one of the first independant professional woman in my world. She didn't need the financial backing, but more , she had in her back pocket love. She had the joy of knowing she had that time with the one guy on earth that, in her mind , was meant for her. I think some of you know what I am talking about ..

She had season tickets on the 50 yard line for the Michigan Woverines for most of her life?! She read everyting, she travelled all over the place, she lived in a cool apartment, she had friends from all these cultures. She lived above the trend. She once flew out to SF and took to me to Maui with her for a week, a place she love to go with her husband.. She learned to live life in full color. She became to me , at the time I was 20, an exampe of how a woman does life well. She was somethat of an icon.

How her blindness was discoverd is quite similar to Cheryl's situation with Mike in that no one had any idea she could not see, including her. She had an accident and that led to a downward spiral of events over the course of several years that culimated in the termination of her sight, indepandance and eventually, in her spirit.

Sue , I and sending out very best vibes for a successful treatment for you on Thursday, am so happy they caught this......

MG
XOXO

Thanks so much for sharing your story, Sue. It is a hopeful sign for diabetics and a great outcome for you!

Blundervibes from here times ten!