Starting this update on Monday after last Friday's surgery. All went well as far as we can tell. Eye Plastic Surgeon cut across left eyelid to lower it as it didn't quite come down as far as needed after 2nd surgery. It's swollen and blue, but seems to be ok. I see the doctor for post surgery visit on Thursday, so will know more then... and won't post this until then.
The only complication (which really wasn't one, but seemed like it) came on our way home from the surgical center Friday afternoon around 3pm. We had stopped at Whole Foods to pick up some sourdough bread and while DH went inside, I sat in the car. As he was returning, I noticed the wad of gauze in my hand was quickly filling up with blood... a little bleeding is ok, but this was more than a little... and it kept coming. I filled up another wad of gauze and DH said, "We're going back!" and we did. The doctor checked it right away and it had almost stopped by then. He said that most probably it was a blood clot that just burst.
Anyway, it's the 3rd day after surgery. I can see fine. The eyelid is lower, but still very swollen. We did cold packs for the first 2 days and start on warm compresses several times a day now.
It's Thursday morning now and was getting ready for doctor appointments when I noticed that the shirt I was wearing and had hung up after my eye surgery last Friday has blood all down the left side. Being otherwise occupied, I hadn’t noticed it till now. Hope it comes out as it’s one of my favorite tops.
OK, it's now Thursday after 4 pm and my post op visit is over. Doctor checked my eye and seemed a bit disappointed that it is a little 'droopy'... but believes that it's only been 6 days since the surgery and that once the swelling has gone down more, it should be better. Wants me to continue the warm compresses and ointment on the stitches (which are across the top of the eyelid and dissolvable - thank goodness!) And next appointment in one month... but said we will give it 3 months to heal.
This small growth on my left lower lid certainly turned out to be more than I'd expected. I guess I just expected the growth to be taken off... and the area stitched up. Never did I expect it to take 4 surgeries and all this time to heal. But... I'm not complaining. Truth is I'm just glad that the basal cell carcinoma is gone and my sight is not affected. If I end up with a droopy left eye, I really don't care.
Thanks for putting up with my medical adventure. Sharing things like this helps. Not sure why. Perhaps it makes a person feel that they aren't going through it all alone. And I certainly haven't. DH, my grandson, and my kids have been with me all the way (DH crushing ice and bringing it to me to ice my eye for 10 minutes every 30 minutes the first few days and taking over the cooking, etc. for me on those days). And I love my friends and bloggers encouraging comments and texts. It all helps. Thank you.
a few funnies that fit me lately:
and...
Hugs (virtual),
Rian
Whew!! Rian I liked this series of "eye entries" but this was more difficult on you than I'd known. I sure am glad for your good doctor and DH & family to help. I'm very sorry you had to go thru this, but a lot of us genuinely care about you (like me) and we wanted to know what was happening, so thank you for this update. And your memes (as always) were funny :^)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dug. It has helped to share this 'adventure' with you guys... and I appreciate your kind words. You are going through so much more with this long covid that my eye issues seem small in comparison. But it has been stressful, and I'm hoping that the worst is over and only healing is next.
DeleteI like your attitude. And I agree. I never expected to have a broken nose, but I am not the one looking at my face and maybe it adds needed character, lol.
ReplyDeleteWhat a journey and what an unexpected turn. The most important thing is that they were able to remove all the growth and your vision is unharmed. Whew.
Meanwhile, the bleeding in the parking lot! I bet you both were pretty nervous about that! The blood clot makes sense, but I am glad you were able to zip right back for an explanation.
And I am glad you are blessed with such a great family to take care of you.
Thanks, Miss Merry. And yes, the sudden bleeding scared us... and just noticed that besides my shirt, the seatbelt in the car is bloodied too (have to try to fix that). And yes, I am blessed with a great family (as are you - can tell from your blog).
DeleteHope that this is the last of your healing process! You've sure gone through lots with that eye, and deserve to be able to see well and feel top notch from here on out...no matter what your lids do! Thanks for sharing your ups and downs through it all. I too hope the shirt comes clean for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barbara. Hopefully I'm on the mend. Thanks for being there. And I've soaked the shirt in cold water... we'll see.
DeleteThank you for sharing your eye surgery with us, it has certainly been an adventure, but hopefully is now on the mend, and meets the doctors requirements. I'd like to have an eyelid lift, mainly on my left eyelid, after years of eye problems and procedures I call it my floppy lid, but truthfully I keep putting it off, and probably never will.
ReplyDeleteSending healing wishes your way.
Jo
Jo, my cousin had an eyelid lift. I'm not sure I would... but each to his own. She's older than me and she also had a chin lift not too long ago. I have to say she looks great, but I still don't think I'd do it - but that's me.
DeleteI'm glad the ordeal is very nearly over for you. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mae.
Deletei am so happy to see an update from you...i am glad things went pretty well. but any surgery is uncomfortable and i would think eye surgery would be extremely uncomfortable....both the surgery and recovery!! and all that bleeding, what a scare!! i laughed at the meme's, you always find good ones!! wishing you a peaceful weekend!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, surgery (any kind) scares me... and I've had several over the years. But this eye surgery really got to me. Just glad it's over and done (I hope).
DeleteMy gosh...! I certainly hope this is the end of the eye ordeal! Never mind a possible droopy eyelid, your vision is (obviously) the crucial thing.
ReplyDeleteMy mom always used to say that it's a good thing we don't know what's ahead of us. 🙃
Wishing you speedy healing!
Kim, your mom was right.
DeleteNever ever when it all started did we think it would be so intenwive. I am just glad it's mostly over, and you can see just fine. Thanks for the chronicle you have done about this whoe "adventure."
ReplyDeleteDJan, I'm always happy to see your posts and comments. And I tend to 'chronicle' things... usually just for myself (I have pages and pages of My Pandemic Chronicles), but thought I'd share this eye adventure with my blogger friends. Some shares I've read have helped me in the past... you never know when something someone else has gone through might bring insight or comfort.
DeleteYou certainly went through alot of surgeries and treatments on your eyelid and the good news is the carcinoma spot is gone. The little frazzled duck is so cute, he knows what we retirees like.
ReplyDeleteYes, I went through more than I had bargained for... but glad the carcinoma spot is gone. And I do feel like both the cat and the frazzled duck in those memes.
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