Graft plus two days

[Matthew_]

I had a DALK procedure on my left eye at Gartnavel on Friday. I got there on Thursday evening. The ward nurses were really good throughout and I think it is cracking ward. Everyone there was really helpful.
Didn't get much sleep that night as I was a bit anxious but managed a few hours which was more than I anticipated. Spoke to the Anaesthitist Friday morning, pointing out that I normally have a large dose and have woken up mid-op before. Anyhow, I was taken down to the theatre (by this time quite nervous). I only remember getting one dose, which is good news. Next thing I know, I am being brought back to the ward. I had a bit of a stuggle as tried to take the dressing off But I felt fine although still obviously under the influence. One of the nurses said I had to have extra anaesthetic but I don't remember that happening, I could have imagined that coversation I decided to text home to say I was coming home which was a bit silly The drugs always heve that effect on me!
Anyway, it wasn't long berfore I started feeling dreadful and I slept a lot of the Friday.I wasn't very good company at visiting time because I could hardly keep my eyes open. The eye wasn't too painful. It was dressed but I could still feel the sunlight through the window so pretty photo sensitive. But the pain was very manageable. Slept like a baby on Friday night.
Saturday I felt much better. The dressing was removed and I started the regime with the drops and steroids. I saw Dr Ramamurthy that morning who said the handi-work was very good. She was also very happy that I could see the first two lines on the eye-chart, a big improvement already. My eye was still very photo-sensitive and I kept it shut the rest of the day. Got home that day. Was so glad to see my wife and son when they picked me up. My wife had made the bedroom very comfy with plenty of tea and coffee, music, books etc. So I have spent much of the intervening period taking it easy and listening to audio books. Today I can open my left eye and leave it open without any pain at all. Still feel a bit lethargic from the anaesthesia but thats to be expected. I have got an air bubble on the top of the graft at about the 12 o'clock position. Apparently this should dissipate. I will ask the ward if it hasn't gone by tomorrow. My eye sight out of the left eye is very misty at the moment and I don't think it is as good as it was yesterday but its very early days and the air bubble might be a part of it or it might just be water-logged. So far so good anyway.
I was very impressed with Gartnavel, not just for the skilled handi-work but also the excellent nursing.

[donna]

Excellent Matthew Take it easy and enjoy the TLC you are getting! xx

[Andrew MacLean]

Well done Matthew. I am sorry that you had such an adventure with your anesthetic, but at least your first DALK is now in the best possible place: IT IS IN THE PAST! Your sight will recover but not all at once. when the sutures come out things will be very much clearer!

Andrew

[Michael P]

Matthew

I am glad to hear everything went well and that you are on the road to recovery.

I know recovery takes a little while so take it easy.

All the best.

Michael

[Matthew_]

Thanks everyone,
The anaesthesia issue was entirely expected, I woke on the operastng table when I was 4 years old despite having four doses of drugs. Other minor ops in my life have always resulted in me requiring many time the normal dose. Don't ask me why. This time I only needed twice the normal dose which is the best so far. The only side effect is that I feel pretty rough after the fact because of the big dose. There is always the risk of waking up too during the op which is scary and it was what I was dreading the most. If it happened, i don't remember so that's fine.

I'm feeling much better now and working hard at making myself take it easy. The eye is a little sore but not so bad. The air bubble is getting smaller. The sight in the eye is I think better than it was. I've lost the polyopia but its very misty so its difficult to say. But its way to early to expect results just yet. I am just glad that I have done it. At the end of day, I have tried everything I can and if the sight doesn't improve, I might at least be more tolerant of a contact lens. If not, I know what I am dealing with and can get on with life, knowing that I tried to improve things and work with the cards I have been dealt. But its way too early just yet, I have no reason to suspect disappointment and I am sure the odds of much better eyesight are very good.
Thabks for all your help and reassurance.

[Andrew MacLean]

Thanks everyone,
I'm ... working hard at making myself take it easy.

There's an example of an oxymoron. My favourite is "faith unfaithful kept him falsely true", but I also like "popular modern hymn"

All the best

Andrew

[Matthew_]

He he he. Very true but I find inactivity a hard thing to achieve.....That's a contradictory term but I think you know what I mean.

[Matthew_]

Sorry, I had to take a picture. Its a morbid fascination but I couldn't help it.

Good handiwork, huh!

[Matthew_]

An update on my update for those going through or about to go through a graft themselves...

Its now nine days after the op and all is well. The soreness and light-sensitivity of the first 4 days or so has gone completely. In fact my grafted eye is far less photo-sensitive than it used to be and I have stopped flinching when I go near a window

The air bubble on the top of the graft has now dissipated. On the photo above you can see the reflected light on the crimpled bit where the bubble used to be. That is now flat and healthy.

My review 6 days after the graft went well. The doctors are very happy with the results. All is healthy with no signs of infection. I am taking 20mg of steroids a day (started on 40) and this will reduce week by week. In addition, eye drops (steriods and anti-biotics) plus an oral anti-biotic.

No exercise for 6 weeks has been recommended but I can go for walks so I intend to do this. After all 6 weeks off when you live 5 miles from Loch Lomond, foolish not to!

My eye-sight in the left eye is slightly better than it was pre-graft but mostly different. I can see the top letter on an eye-chart whereas before seeing anything was impossible. I don't have the multiple images I used to have in the left eye but a sort of halo around light sources. Its very early days on the eye-sight and I will not know what the final accuity will be until the stitches are removed, many months from now. In the meanwhile, all goes well....

[Sarah M]

Glad everything going well Matthew - enjoy all your time off!

Sarah