The story continues...
I had a follow-up on the 1st post-op day. Yee-haw, the dressing, which was most annoying and itching all the time by then, was going to be removed. I couldn't wait to see what was underneath.
I left at least two hours before from the hotel and went to Starbucks in the Sky Lobby.
I had gone for breakfast in the morning. Thank God I had had breakfast there two days before, so I knew where to find the toast, fruit and coffee. I even managed not to break anything or spill the coffee... but I had taken Tramadol just before breakfast. Mistake. I think I could have managed without it. The whole breakfast was an out of body experience. The relief was huge, when I returned to the room and went straight to bed.
Anyway, the follow-up: I was still very much affected by Tramadol. I knew where I was and what was happening (oriented x 3, GCS 15/15). My speech wasn't quite clear.. somehow. The doctor, that very same cute one (yes, I saw that even with one eye), removed the dressing. That tape is the world's stickiest tape, better than any superglue. The best possible quality. At first I couldn't open the eye. Then when I did, I couldn't see much. The right, healthy good eye, was ok, but images near and far were blurry. We tried eye drops. I couldn't see much better. The eye chart still looked blurry. The eye looked bright red. A monster eye. The doctor showed me the image of the eye. Interesting- was that really my eye? It was better than I had expected. Taking the image involved a bright light and it felt as if the flashes of the light went all the way into my brain. The most painful procedure was removal of the dressing. What a relief to be able to wash my face. I left the clinic with several bottles of eye drops and ointment for the night.
I walked home- well, back to the hotel, wearing sunglasses in the darkness of the evening. I walked slowly and popped into 7-11 on the way home. I had an early night. There was no way I could have gone out partying and shopping. So instead I went to bed, listening to Buddhist chants on YouTube.
Then I just had to decided how to spend the remaining four days in Bangkok. On the 5th post-op day I would have one more eye check-up.
The eye looked and felt better each day. Pterygium excision and graft, which I had in 2010, was probably as easy as this one, but something about the latest operation felt like I was going to recover a lot better and faster. The eye drops and the ointment helped a lot. Sleeping helped too. Getting out of the hotel helped. Listening to the Buddhist chants was one of the highlights of my day. Good food especially at the hotel breakfast was godsend.
The final check-up was encouraging. My eyesight was probably very close to where it had been preoperatively. The graft had healed nicely. I was very very pleased about the result and the doctor's skills and commitment. I wanted to give him a hug so badly, but didn't. 😂
He did a great job and I don't think anything could have gone better. The standard of healthcare and professionalism of the healthcare personnel at Bumrungrad are excellent. I would have no hesitation in recommending the hospital- of course do your research and ask for a second opinion. As I said earlier, I don't know exactly how much money I spent, but it was worth every cent.
There is a nevus at the back of the left eye too. Without that very thorough eye exam I wouldn't know about it. I didn't even know a nevus could be found on the surface of the eye. That's another story then.
Now, almost two weeks later I feel great. I am very very careful with the operated eye. You could almost say I am overly protective of it.
Horseback riding lessons start next week and I'm going to wear an eye patch to protect it.
I always have sunglasses on now.
I am very very grateful of having had the opportunity to visit Bangkok, have the surgery there and meet this great doctor, whose skills and knowledge are extraordinarily good.. not just the skills, but his kindness, compassion and respect were a real blessing.
No comments:
Post a Comment