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24.3.21

BLUR

BLUR

Cataracts - Operation - No guarantees. The words drop like stones. She stumbles home in a blur of eye drops and fear.

The day arrives. More drops on arrival, so nothing to do but wait and worry. Bright lights, a blur of movement, she squeezes the nurse’s hand bloodless.

She goes home wearing a pirate patch and a relieved smile. Gazes at her unfamiliar reflection, restyles her hair, and walks in the rain without the blur of raindrops on glasses.

Now she’s a veteran. Cataract operation? Nothing to it – a doddle – roll on the second one!

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Thank you to Dale for the photo, which reminded me of what street-lights looked like in the rain when I wore glasses. Covid has delayed my husband's second cataract operation by a year, with no guaranteed date to look forward to. The wait is making him very grumpy, even today, which is my birthday - my second one in lockdown.

If you're in the mood to cheer me up, buying a copy of my book of poems would help! Click on the link at the top of this page to buy STRIPEY CAT, an illustrated book of poems about a collection of toys.

35 comments:

  1. Happy lockdown Birthday! Hope your husband's operation date is resolved soon, for his sake and yours!

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    1. Thanks, Iain. A combination of deafness, dementia and poor eyesight isn't a happy one!

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  2. Happy birthday! Last year they lifted the lockdown the day before my birthday which was kind of them. I hope they do it again this time round! Like you say cataract operations are a doddle indeed!

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    1. Thank you, Keith. I look forward to meeting friends for coffee - simple pleasures we took for granted.

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  3. The pirate patch is a selling point. Very rakish

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    1. I felt a real twit travelling home on the bus!

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  4. Liz, wishing you a wonderful birthday, and adding you to my prayer list. Deafness, dementia and poor vision--my word, that's a lot to deal with for both of you.

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  5. Good descriptions of cataract vision. The people I know who've had the surgery by and large consider it an improvement.

    Happy Birthday!

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    1. Oh, it is! My prescription was 10 dioptres before and now I only need 3 for reading!

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  6. Both inspirational and reassuring, Lizy.

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    1. Bear it in mind for when you we'd it - the worst part is the anticipation!

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  7. Happy Birthday Liz! Your description and splendid results almost make me wish for cataracts to get rid of my aggravating glasses. Almost. But I do hope your husband gets his surgery scheduled soon.

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    1. I was over seventy before I had the operation, so I guess you might have to wait a while longer!

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  8. Happy birthday, Liz! Grumpy husband and all.

    I'm glad you liked the photo and were so inspired. Hopefully hubby can see clearly soon, too.

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    1. Thanks, Dale. I wish I had your gift with a camera -- and the scenery.

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    2. Thank you Liz. You are too kind!

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  9. Happy birthday! May you see good things aplenty! :)

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  10. I'm sure many can relate to this story.
    Happy Birthday!

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    1. Many people over a certain age! Thank you, Tannile.

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  11. Dear Liz,

    Reassuring and unique take on the prompt. I'm told it's in the near future for me.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. I hope for your sake it's sooner rather than later - and you'll be fine!

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  12. A reassuring message. Anything to do with the eyes and I'm practically catatonic. Well done.

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    1. I was scared too, the first time. Then I couldn't wait for the second one to level out my eyesight. I was -10 in both eyes before, and now I only wear glasses for reading.

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  13. Happy birthday! Hope they can schedule it soon. Funny, but I thought of cataracts as well, though not from personal experience.

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    1. Thank you - I am thinking og phoning the eye hospital to see if I can nudge it along!

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  14. Happy Birthday! I had corrective eye surgery about 4 years ago so I would no longer need to wear glasses or contact lenses. I can't imagine how grumpy I'd be if one I was "fixed" and the other not for over a year. Sympathies all the way around. Alicia Jamtaas (Seems my name rarely shows when I comment.)

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    1. Thanks, Alicia. I had to wait six months between my ops and it was difficult enough.

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  15. happy birthday! despite the pandemic fatigue. it helps to keep a positive attitude.

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    1. Thanks, Plaridel - a positive attitude is vital!

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  16. Oh... yes I know the sense of lockdown... I know there will be cataract surgery one day... but I have not even considered one yet.

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    1. You're far too young to need it, Bjorn!

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