For Older People with Sense

Wren44

And Van Gogh had astigmatism, I think. My stars look just like his.

chrissyb

Kathy, I think the thought of the op for cataracts is worse that the op itself.  My SIL had hers done about two years ago and she was terrified at the thought but after the op told me it was no big deal as they put drops in your eye to numb it and blurr your vision before they start. Then they do the local and start the procredure.

Ariom

That's interesting Wren. I can see quite well without my glasses, but I continue to wear them too.

I need them for extended reading, but really could go without most of the time.

AussieSheila

My long vision seems to be okay, but I do need glasses to read, cook and do anything that requires close up work.  I use a 5x magnified mirror for make-up as I dread going out and then coming home to find that I look like a clown.

Today, I had to go for my 5 yearly drivers licence renewal and I was a bit nervous about reading the eye chart, hoping that they didn't ask me to read down to the last line.  Hopefully, I had my make-up on tastefully for that 'passport' type 'photo that they take.  DH made me nervous by telling me before-hand about the computer inside the doors, but from go to whoa, the whole process took less than ten minutes and that included the 'photo session.

....And they didn't even ask me to look at an eye chart!  While standing at the counter as the lady typed my info into their system, I surreptitiously scanned the room for that chart, but couldn't see one anywhere.... then had an uh-oh moment when I thought they probably had some sort of machine which could tell them what state ones eyesight was in.

DH was sitting behind me in the waiting room, watching everything and talking to another old bloke, when I sat down on a designated chair and looked to the front to a strange machine with an eye in the front and a light framing it vertically on each side.  The two males decided it was an eye-sight tester, re the lights, while the lady gave me instructions on how to pose so that the lights hit my face at the right angle.  I sure hope this pic turns out better than all the previous ones with the old system... I could use about ten years less wear on my face about now.  I won't find out for a few weeks until they send the new credit-card style licence by post.

Today was like those when we have a scan and then worry about the result... which reminds me I have to book a whole body scan before the February page is used up.  Talk about nervous!

Sheila.

mostlymom

I had cataract surgery 4 years ago with a week between each eye.  The thought of the surgery was scary but the actual procedure was tolerable.  I could see better immediately and only need glasses for reading now - my distance vision is excellent and the sharpness and colors are still bright and truly beautiful plus I have no problem driving at night anymore.  Obviously, I would recommend cataract surgery.

Martha

Isabella4

A friend of mine had cataract surgery, and said it was the best thing she ever did...but know no more than that !

I went to see my GP today . As I had said previously I'd been put back on a drug for BP to which I'd had a violent reaction, being told it 'was the drug working ' which I just did not believe. I checked out with my GP should I go ahead, get back on this drug, and should I substitute it for one of the other BP meds I take, the consultant not having been at all clear. My GP said he didn't know either !! OMG what is the matter with our Drs. So now I have to wait whilst letters are exchanged !

The main reason for my appointment was to ask about very bad stomach pain I've been experiencing since just after Christmas. Getting quite worried, as it is gnawing away at me. It comes and goes, and if I take some sort of stomach tablet recommended by a friend who has this pain it goes. After the discussion about my BP meds,I asked about stomach pain, and GP said to me 'well, we're out of time now ( I had had my 8 minutes)  but I'll have a quick look.' He asked a few questions and pressed around my stomach, and pronounced I had a duodenal ulcer...all in the space of about 2-3 minutes HOW on earth he could say this with certainty, and how he could tell what sort of ulcer it was, and without an endoscopy, I have no idea. I have no idea what the tests are for ulcers, but with a history of bc I would have thought a quick endoscopy to start with would be obligatory !  But, no, this seems to be it. He asked me to come back in 7 days...I checked out with reception, and was told there was no appointment until March 1st ...14 days away.

I WAS going to ring back to the surgery when I got home and make an appointment with the practice manager, and make an official complaint. This really has got past a joke now. I was mad about the 8 min. appointment, and sort of didn't really think they would actually carry this out, but now I am hopping mad as they HAVE carried it out...on me !

I walked into a houseful of DD, Dgdaughters and Dgsons, assorted G/Fs and B/Fs, plus SIL , all sitting there waiting for me to come home ( I had NO idea) Table all laid full of cupcakes, and a monster cupcake birthday cake (my b/day today) Apparently Dgson had managed to climb in thru' an upstairs window I had forgotten to close properly and let the whole gang in. They had NO idea where I was, I could have gone off for the afternoon, for all they knew. There were presents, 2 big bouquets of flowers, cards, candles to be blown out, and a rendition of Happy Birthday ...I was absolutely stunned, and tired out when they all eventually went.  I had 9 cars and a motor bike filling my yard up when I got back...TOTAL surprise !!

Peace perfect peace reigns tonight. I fell asleep trying to catch up on the news, and was fast asleep 2 hours ! DD has arranged another family gathering on Sunday, lots more relatives will be there, in a busy pub in her village. I am frantically trying to think up a plausible excuse as I hate to be centre of attraction, but, at the moment I cannot think of anything that will get me out of this !!

Isabella.

chrissyb

Oh Isabella what a lovely surprise for you! Happy Birthday! Other than the crap that went on at the docs, it sounds like you had a fabulous day. I sure hope the docs get your meds sorted as that is just not good enough and as for the receptionist say there were no appointments? Well, if the doc said he wanted to see you then, then there should be some appointments left free for follow up at the docs request. It sounds like there is just bad management at that practice and something needs to be said.



Still with my sis and the weather is so hot it's awful! I think we are both going to go to the beach for a swim today to try and stay cool.....lol..... She looks like a sleek seal in her bathers and I look like a beached whale!........never mind, we are still both sea creatures!.....lol.



Have a great day all!



Love n hugs. Chrissy

QCA

Happy birthday, Isabella!  It sounds like you had a great surprise despite your otherwise bad day, and I wish you many more birthdays!  8 minutes per patient indeed!  My doctors would hardly have started anything medically related in that time--they all do a bit of friendly chatting first.  And so you're once again in a limbo as to what to do, too.

Chrissy, glad you're having a good time with your sister.  Hot weather sounds lovely right now, although it's been a rather warm week here.  Once again the weather people are teasing us with snow possibilities.  This is getting old, folks.  I'm ready for spring.  Saw a cherry tree in full bloom today, and daffodils are up everywhere except in my yard--ours usually don't bloom till May for some reason.

Hope we all have a good weekend!

Kathy

kathindc

Happy Birthday Isabella!

Gingerbrew

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISABELLA 

SoCalLisa

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISABELLA

Leah_S

Happy Birthday Isabella!

Leah

QCA

They finally got it right!  It's absolutely pouring snow here and church tomorrow is cancelled.  I'm sure all of you who're used to dealing with snow are laughing, but give us a break!  It's a novelty here.  Absolutely beautiful, and supposed to be in the low 20's tonight.  Already have about 3 whole inches.  WOW!

Kathy

marywh

We only got about an inch here, but it is so pretty. We live in a weird little area that never seems to get as much as anybody else, but its good because we never get the bad storms like everybody else does either. We're down in a kind of valley, I guess that protects us from weather.

SoCalLisa

For those of us on armidex or femara, check this out

Estrogen alternative eases sex pain for older women http://www.mobile.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSBRE91E13X20130215

this is also for vaginal atrophy

chrissyb

Lisa, now that is really interesting......thank for posting it!

still on the Island and enduring a heta wave.....even for here!  The best this is later in the afternoon we all head down the road a little and throw ourselves into the sea to cool off!  It's such a same I wasn't born a mermaid as right now I could easiy live in the water.....hahahahaha!

Ooo that snow sounds divine!  I'd much rather snow than heat.

Have a good one all!

Loven hugs.    Chrissy

Alyson

Isabella sounds as if it was a really good birthday. So pleased they did it for you.

Its not so hot here but it is terribly dry. Took MiL out for lunch to the little village where she used to live and the farm land is so parched. We do need rain. Our lunch was after I had fixed her TV and phone. DH has no idea but hopefully both are sorted. Trouble is she thumps buttons rather than pressing them and so was altering the menu on the TV and somehow she had altered the volume on her phone.Everytime we go out have to fix something. It must be difficult getting really old.

Now having a lazy afternoon watching cricket and knitting.

Hope the weekend is going well for all.

Elisimo

Lisa - I had seen that just a few minutes before I logged in here tonight.  Don't think I will try that as I have enough trouble with the SEs of the generic Femara I take. Supposed to be on name brand again next month, we'll see if that really happens.  Anyway back to the subject - the Scream Cream works really well for me so I will stick with that.

We got some snow earlier today, big fluffy flakes that covered everything, but because the temp was warm it did not last long. It started snowing again about 2 hours ago and the temp is below freezing now and everything is getting covered again.  With the temp this low is should stick around until it warms back up tomorrow.  It was so pretty to watch. Fortunately I did not have to go anywhere today so I could just watch it and enjoy.

Hope everyone has a good evening.  AJ

macatacmv

Happy belated birthday Isabella!

I have been busy with running to the city and just the next town over (but that involves a ferry ride). So two long days for me in a row. When I went to the city for my scan I stopped in at the Oncology Boutique next to the cancer center and got fitted for a bra that will be more comfortable. The woman there told me to go ask for a script so that my insurance would cover it. So I did and they wrote it right up. Why don't the drs tell you this stuff? Anyway, she was so informative, it made my day. 

Today is another winter storm, with high winds and snow. Church was even cancelled this morning. So I am snug in my house watching the trees wave wildly and the snow being blown sideways. Nice day to be able to stay home.

It reminds me of something the yoga teacher said yesterday. I was trying to do a balancing pose. My arms were waving windmill style around my head. I said like this? She said that trees move also. That movement is natural. We must be flexible so that we are not bent out of shape. I almost fell over laughing.  

Gingerbrew

When are you supposed to go to the ER if you fall down.  I HATE going to the ER or Hospital. 

I went out side to take a look at my DH pushing our DGD on her swing.  It is damp here, it is always damp here. The big RR tie just past the bottom step was very s;liuppery. I stepped sodeways and then turned, involuntairly back and stepped out of my shoes, feet slid more and down I went backwards right next to the giant RR tie.  I was thinnking pleAase don't let me fall on the tie.   My head hit the ground so hard that my DH and DGD both heard it. Stars.  

Then to make matterts worse I could not get u0p by myself. I could not get up with just DH help, I finallt thought and had himn bring me a kitchen chair.  I made it that way. When DH was trying to help me more slipping was happening.    I can definitely feel it in my head that I fell, ringing ears but that isn't unusual for me. 

We are babysitting DGD while DD and DSIL go to a movie and dinner together. DGD is wonderful but is still a bit ferral in a restaurant. 

Your clumsy friend GInger.    

SoCalLisa

I think you should go and get checked out!

Sallyann

Go to ER ASAP, please. Do it for your family so they don't have to worry.  Worse case scenario: 

Diagnosis is that you are, indeed, clumsy. How humiliating! 

Best wishes

Sallyann

Gingerbrew

Thanks Lisa,  I googled and compared with the various symptoms and I thinkk I am okay,I have no amnesia, no black out, none of the things that indicate I need to go to the Er. If I get any of the symptoms I will go straightaway.  

On a lighter note one of the web sites said I should wear a helmet when I do activites that could result in a head injury. Walking? me, yes! 

The last time I fell like this I was working for a reality TV show and we were filming at a skating rink and my feet just went out from under me, blammo. This was in 2001 and 02, I was in hugely better shgape then, It is just sad.  I suppose I really do need to go to physical therapy.  Is it crazy to say I am so embarassed to go. How weird shame is. 

I didn't mean to sound an alarm it is just so disconcerting to actually fall. I have done it in the house a few or more times now but have removed throw rugs and such. 

SoCalLisa

Dr. Google isn't a real doctor..just do it..

lassie11

What Lisa said. If you couldn't get up then something is wrong and needs to be checked out.

chrissyb

Ginger falling is dangerous particulaly when you hit your head.  Even if you are not knocked unconscience your brain can be damaged by reverberation  ie  impact and recoil.  You really do need to get checked out....ASAP!!

Love n hugs.    Chrissy

kathindc

Ginger you should get checked out.  I agree with Lassie.  

chabba

The last TWO times I fell I was lucky enough to do it at our Bowling Center on an evening when one of our EMT's was there, standing nearby and actually watching when I fell.  He checked me out, got me back on my feet, made sure I stayed put the rest of the evening and checked me out again before he let me drive home.

Elisimo

Ginger - I think we must be related. I cannot walk and chew gum at the same time.  I can barely manage going up or down the stairs.  I think I am the only person that can fall UP the stairs!  I have always been that way, when I was little my daddy would pick me up and carry me up or down the stairs so I wouldn't fall and skin my knees again.  Sweetie, do get checked out ASAP.  We can laugh at our clumsy selves, but falling is really nothing to fool around with.  I would much rather them tell me I was a klutz than to find out something serious was wrong because I did not get it checked out when I should have.

Love and hugs, AJ

Wren44

Ginger, I think that seeing stars and others hearing your head hit means that you should get checked out. I hate ER's also. Does your doc's office have any kind of phone triage service? I'm also a member in good standing of the klutz club. At least I fell forward last week and kept my glasses out of it. Bruised ribs where my breast was not there to absorb impact. 

If you don't go to the ER, is there someone to wake you up about every hour to make sure you're not unconscious? That's what we had to do when our son hit his head.