Shraddha and Saburi...Faith and Patience!

 

I am writing this piece for two reasons. Firstly, to make you aware of a condition and also let you know, in detail, the sequence of events leading to my surgery. This would also be helpful to us, as a family, in response to your calls or messages. Secondly, if any one in your respective circles has gone through this condition, it would be of immense help to let us know how they dealt with the post-operative condition, which we have been told by the doctor himself, is difficult. If you can post your suggestions here, on the blog, even an unknown person searching for information on the same, could benefit.  

 

I had been having headaches on and off last couple of weeks. I attributed it to not being able to sleep (menopausal stage?), and also to reading. Somewhere around 10-12 Aug, I could see one of my eyes (don't remember which one), sclera to be specific, changing colour around evening and by next morning it was blood-red. The redness was visible in the other eye but pale in comparison. I rested that day and the next, after which it slowly disappeared. The headaches continued on and off. Two points at the back of the lower skull troubled me so much that it was like a nail being drilled on either side of the vertebral column - the pain had been that severe. I had shared the symptoms on and off with my husband (just in case I lost consciousness... hahaha) but avoided reaching out to a doctor; lest, I was told to visit hospital. The pandemic has kept me on tenterhooks because of our co-morbidity.

 

Towards end August, I started sensing that my vision was hazy at times. On the first Thursday of September, I decided to check if I could read by closing one eye and that's when I noticed that there was a problem in my right eye! The faces appeared distorted and some of the alphabets in a word were missing; a horizontal line had two dents. I checked my sugars as a matter of routine and found them to be in the normal range and so it was with my blood pressure readings; my temperatures were below normal and SpO2 was good too.

 

I waited a day and checked everything all over again and my intuition (Sai Baba’s grace) guided me to get in touch with friends who had undergone emergency eye surgeries and an ophthalmologist (a friend from school days). Each one of them, told me firmly that I should consider it as an emergency, after listening to the symptoms. So wearing a double mask and armed with a sanitizer, I stepped into the IN hospital. After various tests and scans related to the eye, I was referred to a retina surgeon. I was told the condition was ‘Macular Oedema’ and attributed it to my diabetes, however, they said that ‘Diabetic Retinopathy’ had not set in. I had been getting my eyes checked for it, without missing, every year, since I was detected as diabetic, over ten years ago. I am grateful to the young ophthalmologists for the thorough investigation, insisting on seeing a retina surgeon and advising to take one thing at a time.

 

When we made enquiries over the telephone, regarding a good retina specialist in the empanelled hospital, we were told that he is unavailable and other names were suggested which we didn’t feel confident about. The way we finally narrowed things down, I can only think of it as Sai’s blessings and miracle. Imagine, a friend from school, who rarely responds on whatsapp, replied instantly to a casual enquiry about the hospital; followed it up with a call, speaking to THE surgeon, Dr A, himself and on his suggestion, fixing up my appointment with another specialist, Dr D, from the same hospital, for the very next day, a Thursday! We had tried Dr A’s appointment (prior to contacting my friend) through the hospital and were told that the earliest we could see him was a Tuesday which was a week away and we took it up, nevertheless. After Dr D checked me out, he informed us that I had a hole in the macula which required surgery to prevent retina detachment. What made me feel good was Dr D’s response to hubby’s query....the hole was neither because of my diabetes nor was it due to reading or 'binge watching Netflix'. Do look up this condition online, as neither of us knew about it before this. 

 

My friend again spoke to Dr A and I was told to meet him on a Sunday, prior to the surgery! He explained the details of the condition, what to expect post surgery and the “most difficult part for a patient” - to lie face down for at least 14 hrs a day for a week! It is daunting, but the way Dr A conveyed, I know I can pass this test although I am apprehensive of the face down position due to my cervical spondylitis. Hoping that whoever is reading this, can post suggestions to alleviate the pain or discomfort from being in that position.

 

In preparation for the post surgery phase, I have ground some masalas, filled the pantry and organised things for hubby and daughter so that they can run the show smoothly while juggling their studies and work. To keep me calm and in a happy state, I have lined up music and talks; I intend to colour if I can and get into some yoga poses which will allow me to keep my face down, instead of lying down on my tummy, all the time.

 

The surgery and post surgery experience will be posted whenever I am able to. I felt elated so far, for not having to use even reading glasses as I am inching towards 55. But I would have to now and also wait for my vision to improve. Like Sai says... Shraddha and Saburi...Faith and Patience!