In early February my eyes took a drastic turn for the worst. I immediately went to my Macular doctor and the dry macular has reverted to wet and there were large pockets of blood inside both eyes. I was sent to another specialist ...
They super dilated my eyes and then injected a dye into my veins and with a scanner with a bright light tracked and photoed the dye moving through the veins in my eyes. This identified exactly where and how much blood was leaking from the retina veins plus the dye contained a drug activated by the light that helped reduce retinal bleeding.
Finally they injected another drug Avastin into both eyes. Ironically this drug used for leaking veins was discovered by accident during use in chemo for cancer....around 2010. Without it I would be blind within a year. They can't make my eyes any better but hopefully slow the decline.. I go every month at first for this procedure and then if all goes well, every other month. It is inoperable and incurable.
After the procedure I'm unable to see and totally miserable for about 12 hours. Stitching has been hard even with magnification so I can only do it for a short periods of time. I'm determined to finish the cottage series and anniversary CQ and as many CQJPs as I can. After that I'm not sure what I will do to pass time without stitching. So I am doing more things physical and am even cleaning house (which I find hard to believe) If you spray enough Windex on a window and rub it with towels long enough, it will be clean even if you can't see it....same with vacuuming. Thank heavens I have my wonderful magnifying lamps and giant computer screen... I can still drive if there are no other cars on the road... LOL which means I can drive to my neighbor's house and back. But time and time again in my life when one door closes another door opens.
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22 comments:
Dear Gerry ~ Love, hugs and prayers for you ~ FlowerLady
Wow, I hope the treatments work and the deterioration slows as much as possible. Its hard to imagine when one would do without eyesight. My Dad lost his and he did not cope well at all - he just became angry with the world and everyone in it. He was unable or unwilling to consider learning to do things any other way. I think your positive approach, while very difficult, will bring benefits in the end.
So sorry to hear this, I have always thought that as long as my eyes and fingers hold out I'll be happy. Like you, stitching and crochet are my life. Do hope things improve for you
Hugs
Briony
x
so sad to read about your eyes, we are so dependant on them. I do hope the treatment slows down the process and you continue to have some sight, like you I wonder how I would fill my days without stitching, I joke about breaking arms and legs and say it must be the left ones so |I can still stitch and us the sewing machine. I will keep you in my prayers if that is okay with you
Gerry! Of course this is serious news to read. But I can't help thinking after reading the post how very positive you are. My outlook has always been optimistic and I gravitate to others that are. Best Wishes, Gerry. I feel positive that the treatment will do what it is meant to do.
xx, Carol
Sending you lots of hugs. I have macular degeneration, thankfully for me it is still the dry kind.
I love your stitching,
Marci
I'm so sorry to read this, Gerry, but hope and pray that the eye meds will keep this from progressing. Many hugs best wishes,
I'm so sorry to hear this, Gerry. I'm glad there is a treatment and that it will help, if not cure, the condition. Sending you hugs!
Gerry, I am so sorry to hear this. I love that you are keeping a positive attitude. I do hope the treatments help! (((Hugs)))
Gerry,
I really feel for you. My mother who has done handwork her whole life is losing her sight also from macular degeneration. Unfortunately, hers is deteriorating rapidly and she will completely lose her sight unless, and this is our hope, she gets accepted into a medical trial. We are waiting to hear about that. Even if she gets accepted there is a 50% chance that she will get the placebo. A couple of tips you may find helpful - your local Lions club may have access to a variety of equipment including special lights and magnifiers that might help. These are frequently available at little or no cost. Audio books and podcasts can be an absolute godsend when you can no longer see to read. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Your positive attitude will go a long way, and hopefully the treatment plan will be successful. Take care of you my friend!
I'm so sorry to hear about this, Gerry, but I love your attitude and I know it will get you far. The treatments sound like a very difficult thing to go through, but if it means keeping your vision as long as possible, I would do it. Will keep you in my prayers, dear one.
So sorry to hear this. Hope your eye mends soon. Cleaning? Yuck!
Wishing you good outcomes and continued optimism. Thanks for sharing so many special and creative things.
Dearest Gerry,
We dealt with this with my darling mommy. That was before they could do anything but laser the bleeds. I am so glad they can use that new treatment with results. I wish you all the best. Your positive attitude is the most valuable asset you have. Sending hugs. Suzie in Idaho
Gerry, I'm sorry about your diagnosis as I know first hand how you feel. It's scary but they've come so far in treatment. I've had dry AMD in both eyes and wet AMD in my left eye for 9+ years. I started at appointments every 4 weeks but I go every 8-10 weeks now for a Lucentis injection and have had at least 70. The injection they want to give you should last even longer. The left eye did reverse a lot and has been stable since one year after I began treatment. I realize that each of us are different but the diagnosis doesn't mean all is lost and that your vision won't improve. I'm still threading those needles! Thinking of you, Reen
Oh Gerry... what a difficult diagnosis for someone who loves to stitch! I'm glad you are getting good treatments and hope that it holds things steady for a long time to come for you. Sending you much love and many prayers.
I am so sorry. Losing my sight is one of my fears being diabetic. I know you will persevere and do what you need to, to get things done.
Lauri
So sorry to stop by and hear about your eye diagnosis. I was glad to hear of Maureen's success with the treatment and glad that you are in capable hands. We need your eyes in the world Gerry! If anyone can fight their way out of this handicap it will be you! The weather will be warming and all that exercise, sunshine and nature bathing will do those eyes good. In the meantime, I look forward to hearing of your tales of Gerry-rigging and Gerry-managing. I had complete and utter faith in your ability to overcome! You are resilient and one of the most amazing women I know and I've missed visiting you. Big love...Susan
So sorry for the diagnosis. Thank goodness you have a positive attitude. Hope all goes well. I too had that weird test where they place vegetable dye in your vein and wait a couple heart beats and start the light tests. Really weird how that works. Saying a prayer for you.
Gerry, your outlook on life, is so beautiful. Your work is amazing and you have so many God given talents, but the best of them is you. I was given one of your infamous painted buttons by my sister-pal Carolyn Zimmer and I will treasure this more than I ever would have. I will now make sure it goes on the memory picture of my ' young ' mom, and it will be passed down forever.
Hugs
Linda aka Chatty from Chatty's Angels
Oh my dear Gerry I am just reading this. You are wonderful and strong my dear. I know of some who would moan and groan and woe is me. Not my talented friend Gerry. Love and prayers for you and an amazing and talented lady oxxooxxo
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