10/12/24 - Sunday

 I drove to Shreveport Thursday because I had an eye appointment with the Neuro-ophthalmologist at 2 p.m. to discuss the results of my eye MRI.  I told David he didn't need to go because I didn't think they were going to dilate me - it was just a follow up appointment.  I was wrong.  I was there for 3 hours, had numerous tests (some I hadn't had before) and they dilated me.  Great.  Now I'm in a strange city and can't see squat.  I hoped most of it would wear off before I left.  I was wrong.  I like this doctor a lot.  He's straight-forward and up-front.  I was hoping he'd say he could remove these lousy, worthless lenses they put in when I had cataract surgery, since my optic nerve wasn't damaged, (as evident in the MRI), and put in some good ones in their place.  I was wrong. My vision is 20/40 in my left eye and 20/50 in my right.  Good grief.  After 18 months, 31 doctor visits, and 5 surgeries, this is what I get?!?  Apparently so.  I need glasses.  Forever.  Trifocals preferred, bifocals at the least.  To say I was dismayed, is an understatement.  I didn't cry, scream, tear up - nothing.  I guess I was more numb than anything.  He asked me if I'd be OK.  I said sure, and he moved on to the next patient.  I checked out and headed to the car wearing some simply lovely, stylish, freebie sunglasses they provided.  I sat in the car for awhile - seething.  I was also trying to give my eyes a little more time to un-dilate.  The car got hot and I was wrong about my eyes.  I put the address of the hotel in my car GPS so she could give me verbal instructions on how to get there.  I couldn't read any signs, had no clue which way to head out, and it's 5 o'clock and the traffic is gonna be miserable.  Gosh, what a great day, so far.  Traffic wasn't too bad in that part of town, so that was good.  When I got closer to the hotel, I recognized the streets, so didn't need to see the signs.  However, the freeway was packed and creeping along because of lane closures from road construction.  The only good thing was that we were going SO slow, I could easily see the cars and lanes, etc.  I turned off the GPS lady and inched my way there.  Safely.  I couldn't see to drive home and I can't see at night any longer, so couldn't go home later.  I can't see at night thanks to my new lenses... the list goes on and on.

When I checked into the hotel, I was pretty sure the desk clerk thought I was on drugs because my pupils were so big.  However, when she asked me to sign in, I couldn't see the line and I told her I just had my eyes dilated.  She seemed relieved.  I went up to my room and noticed something was on the windows.  Lots of somethings, actually.  Red wasps.  Dozens of them.  I was on the 20th floor, too!  Thank goodness they were all outside.....  They stayed there for hours and were back the next day.  I reckon they had a nest nearby.  It was still pretty creepy.

Today, I wrote a letter to my ophthalmologist here in Tyler.  I asked for my money back ($5800.00) that I paid for these worthless lenses and him to give me a pair of glasses to replace the ones I had to give up.  It was a nice letter, not threatening at all, but I did document every visit - all 31.  We'll see what comes of it.

Tomorrow is my yearly physical, then I have a hair appt. in the afternoon.  Tuesday is the cardiologist to discuss the results of the heart monitor I wore.  It's time for some good news now, so cross your fingers.

I met a man who said he was walking in the swampy woods of Louisiana one day and heard a voice call out, 'Hey!'  He looked all around and finally saw where the voice had come from.  There was a frog sitting on a tree stump and he told the man if he gave him a kiss, he'd turn into a beautiful woman.  The man picked up the frog and put it in his pocket.  The frog asked him why he wouldn't kiss him and the old guy said he was too old to need a woman any more - but a talking frog....!

True story.  I'm pretty sure.