Better

My eyes are starting to do better. My left eye is much better. The right eye still isn't "out of the woods," as the doctor put it, but did show some improvement at yesterday's visit. She said she thinks by Monday, it'll be much better.

I can tell it's better because I don't have the splitting headache I've had for the past few days. Today it's like a dull ache. The goo coming out of the eye seems less, and instead of it feeling like it's being stabbed by a fire sword, it just feels like someone poured glass in it, so an improvement! Lol.

The surgeon I work for is buying lunch for us today in honor of National Working Woman's Day. I didn't even know there was such a thing.

I think James is coming here this weekend, since my eye still isn't really great, and I can't wear my contacts yet, so I can't see very well. My glasses are about half the strength they need to be, and I can't get a vision exam for a new prescription until my eye is 100%.

Anyway, I'm glad to be going back to work today, and glad the headache from Hell is ebbing.  Who ever thought an eye could cause so much havoc?

I'm looking forward to going down to James's house for spring break! :)

Still in the Dark

My eye was still too inflamed yesterday morning for the ophthalmologist to determine the extent of whatever infection is stabbing me with invisible swords.

She said my eye pressure was up a little from the day before, so she wanted me to stay in a dark room yesterday again (so no work--ugh), and I have another doctor appointment today at 10:45.

I guess the concern is if bacteria get into the tear and start growing there. It can cause some sort of ulcer to form, which is probably the grossest thing in the world right now.

I know the headache I wake up with are terrible. I'm waiting for the Tylenol to kick in again. I almost never get headaches, so I'm sort of a baby when this kind of headache happens. Anyway, after a full day of antibiotics, I think my eye feels slightly better, although I was expecting it to feel much better.

Actually, my left eye does feel much better. It's the right one that's messed up. And wearing ten year old prescription glasses that are nowhere near strong enough is frustrating.

But it'll work out. It always does. I'm pretty confident in this doctor, so I'm doing what she says and hopefully will be able to go to work tomorrow. My boss doesn't want me to come in today, because she said it was important to keep my eye in the dark. I guess when the eye is exposed to light, the pupils contract, and it stresses the eye.

I think today will be better than yesterday, and tomorrow should be a lot better.

Anyway, I'm super bored at home. I'm staying off the computer as much as possible, and yesterday the doctor gave stronger dilating drops, so it was hard to keep my eyes open for more than a few seconds at a time.

I wish I'd taken some work home. I could be doing productive things, like updating spreadsheets for work.

Maybe today my eyes will feel good enough to let me do some work on my and Jame's new business website. We have the skeleton of it ready. Now I just have to fill in the descriptions and stuff.

This weekend we're supposed to go to James's. I hope we still can, but if we can't, James said he would drive up here.

Not much else is going on. I don't like these little wrenches thrown into my life, but I know every little wrench is a temporary thing, and it'll get better agin soon. :)

My Eyes Have Exploded

Shortly after I finished my blog post yesterday, my eyes literally exploded. Well, maybe not literally, but they felt like it. The sunlight coming through the window felt like sharp swords of fire and I literally (this time for real) could not keep my eyes open.

I realized then that something was really wrong with my eyes and that I couldn't put off going to an eye doctor any longer. I texted James and texted my boss. I told her I might not be able to drive to the doctor and might need a ride, but her phone was turned off.

And since it's been over five years since I went to the eye doctor, I needed to find one in the local area, so I made it to work. As I pulled into the parking lot, my boss answered my text with something like:
"I just got your text, OMG, don't worry about coming to work. Do you still need a ride?"

I told her I had just pulled into the parking lot, and was going to ask my coworkers for recommendations on an eye doctor. When my boss got to work, she took one look at my eyes (and she's not easily surprised) and said "OMG," again. After calling a few eye doctors and being told they were on vacation or being disconnected after waiting on hold forever, I finally got through to a doctor our receptionist recommended. They asked if I could be there in a half hour, so I booked it over there.

After an hour and forty five minutes of testing, the doctor said I had a bacterial infection and a small corneal perforation. She said she was going to treat it aggressively, since my eye was so inflamed she couldn't get a good grasp on the extent. And since I don't have glasses in my current prescription, I still had my contacts in She made me take them out and promise her I wouldn't put them back in until she told me I could. I said okay.

She told me to go home and "park yourself in a dark room and try and keep your eyes closed."

I stupidly asked if I could go back to work, to which she laughed and said, "NO."

She also said she was calling in two different antibiotics, one in the form of eyedrops, and another ointment. She said I had to use the drops every two hours.

Then she said, "You have a ride home, right?" And I said that I'd driven myself, and she looked a little surprised. She asked if I could get a ride home. I said I could, but I could make it home. And she said she wanted me back in the morning to see if she could get a better look.

So, I was totally blind driving home. And it was raining, which made it worse. And she'd dilated my eyes, and my sunglasses weren't dark enough to provide adequate relief from the little bit of light seeping through the clouds.

I went to Publix and figured since I must be sick, some comfort food wouldn't hurt.

Then I went to the pharmacy counter and found out that the doctor's office hadn't even called in my prescription yet. It was then that the numbing medicine the doctor used started to wear off, and the bright light in the store was agony. So I texted Aidan, who said she could pick up my prescription on her way to work. I booked it home, and did as the doctor asked--parked myself in bed with some ice cream, and after I ate the whole pint, closed my eyes and listened to Judge Mathis.

But that rest was short lived, because I had to pick up Joe from school. He had a great time at the Model UN conference, even though their school didn't win (the school that provides funding for the Model UN conference won--imagine that!). He said they decided on the officers for next year's club, and Joe will be secretary.

About fifteen minutes after my daughter left for work, she called me and said the prescription STILL wasn't ready. By then, it was getting late, and I didn't want to venture back on the roads and expose myself to painful sunlight, so I gave up. I'll have to pick up the prescriptions today.

So, this morning, I have to take Joe to school, then go to the doctor's at 8:20, then pick up my prescription. But after having my contacts out overnight (I usually sleep with them on--they're Air Optix, which let you wear them for 30 days), I can feel the difference. I didn't realize your eyeballs could actually swell. They still hurt, and the headache is sorta bad (I learned your cornea has lots of nerve endings), but when I put my hands over my eyes, I can feel how much smaller my right eyeball is. In fact, it's weird, because I can tell my right eyeball is actually a little smaller than the left.

And it's leaking tons of goo, which it hasn't done since it started hurting.

Anyway, I think I'm supposed to stay home today too, which sorta stinks. My boss is super cool and said I could come in and wear sunglasses in my office and just answer phones or something if I wanted. So, I might do that if the doctor says its ok.

So, that's my exciting story from yesterday. Hopefully the doctor will be able to determine the extent of the damage this morning, and hopefully it's not too bad. She doesn't think I have macular degeneration or anything that serious, but she wants to see how extensive the infection is, because if bacteria gets into the cornea through the tear, I guess that can be bad.

I'll update when I know. I just hope the blurry spot in the center of my vision isn't permanent.

So, the lesson I learned is: Wear glasses more often, get bi-yearly eye exams, and change your contacts even more often than you're supposed to!

Well, here's some new pics of the Terribles:

Monday

Well, I had a post all written out, but it didn't publish and didn't save...grrrr, hate when that happens!

Anyway, I basically wrote that this weekend I took it easy because I was having another round of weird eye/vision problems. This episode is especially annoying because I have this pesky little dot of blurriness in the center of my vision in my right eye when I read. And today I have the headache that sometimes accompanies the eye troubles.

So, it's annoying, and I'm waiting for the Tylenol to kick in.

I did get a chance to sleep in Saturday, which was nice.

And James and I are now owners of a nice Eric Sloane painting we found. During the purchase of this auction, we discovered we're actually pretty good negotiators. When James first saw it, he said it reminded him of me sitting in the picture window during our vacation in Taos.

So, it might be hard for James to part with. Lol. It'll be interesting to see how much it'll see for if and when we decide to sell it.

Anyway, I'm gonna keep this post short...I'm looking forward to taking Joe and one of his friends to James's next weekend for some escape room fun. :)

Or a Woman...

:)

If you can keep your head when all about you
 Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
  But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
  Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
  And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
  If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
  And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
  Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
  And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make a heap of all your winnings
  And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
  And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
  To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
  Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
  Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
  If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
  With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
  And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

On the Prowl

The kittens are on the prowl. With shaky steps and many tip overs, they stalk around, wandering ever further from the blanket they were born on.Yesterday, I came home to Terrible #2 (my favorite) curiously ambling around the middle of the family room. Aidan hadn't yet left for work, so we sat down and watched the shenanigans for a while. It's funny because when you sit down, they all come slowly tottering toward you.

I dread the day when they're able to greet me every morning with frantic meows for food. Hopefully, they'll be long gone by then.

As of yesterday, all four have been spoken four, and there's a three way fight for Trina, the weird little runt. Now, Trina does have a certain freakish appeal, because she's so small and oddly shaped. She's got the Scottish Fold ear's and looks like a genuine tortoiseshell, which brings good luck.

I've also been informed by some "cat people" that three of the cats, including Trina the Freak, are what they call "true tabbies," and not common "street tabbies," because they have a distinctive "M" on their foreheads. I guess that's better than an "L."

Anyway, my artist friend Karen stopped by my office yesterday, and she is a knowledgeable cat person. She wants Trina also, along with two of Aidan's friends. She also invited me and my boss out for a night out on the 18th. She wants to take us to a bona fide "haunted" house in St. Augustine and see if we sense anything. She's sorta New Age-y, and pretty intuitive. She can tell you all about you within a few minutes of meeting you. And she doesn't have an unkind bone in her body. She was very supportive when my mom died, and she's a good friend.

Anyway, we're going to go to St. Augustine, have dinner and drinks, then go to the haunted house. She also wants to go to the Orlando Science Center to check out the Steampunk exhibit. She seems to be into the Steampunk thing lately. I think certain kinds of Steampunk are sorta cool, but not the frilly, more Victorian dresses. Lol. Something like this is cool, though:

Or this:

Or this:

But if  had to wear a dress, this is cool, but not the high heels. Replace the heels with flat boots, and I'd be happy:

Hmmmm...I have an idea for our Halloween costumes this year, James. Think how awesome you'd look in something like this (the girl's outfit is cool too):

Well, that takes care of Halloween, if James is game. :)

Today's going to be a tough day at work. All three providers will be there, and the schedule is chock full of people who'll need X-rays. Some with multiple problems. But, I feel pretty good, so I'm sure I can handle it. 

But, I better start getting ready...gonna try and get there a little early so I'm not slammed right when I walk in the door.

Have a great day! Almost Friday! :)

An Eerie Something

I fell asleep early last night and slept like a rock until 4:30 this morning. When I got out of bed and walked into my bathroom, I thought I glanced something out of the corner of my eye on a picture window ledge.

I glanced over and nothing was there, but I got goosebumps and an eerie feeling. I went and opened my bedroom door because I knew the cats would be there waiting for me to feed them. Usually when I open the door, they rush in to meow desperately for breakfast. This morning, Momma Terrible ran in, then ran back out. Zuri the Tolerable (aka Zuri Baby Princess Baby) waited in the hall.

Then I heard scratching outside that window. It didn't sound like it was coming from the window, but maybe the front porch. Momma Terrible ran back in and also heard the scratching. She looked at the window and seemed to try to figure out where it was coming from, then fled the room again.

I was a little creeped out, but figured it was probably the male cat that got Momma Terrible the new name of "Momma." So, the scratching continued while I brushed my teeth. I was half tempted to go outside to see what was making the noise, but at 4:30 am, it's still pitch dark out, and I wasn't feeling that brave. Checking out the source of strange noises is the kiss of death in horror movies.

Speaking of cats, the Terrible Family is gaining some steam as they grow fatter and bigger. They're starting to awkwardly play, which is both very cute and a foreshadowing of broken things in the house if we can't find them homes fast enough. I think Aidan has a home for all of them, but she's still listing their attributes on FB.

Here's part of a video I took yesterday when I got home from work. I don't remember this one's name (she named them all after rappers), but the one at the end of this short clip is Boosie (I call it Terrible #2).

It is extremely and deceptively cute. I say deceptively, because all too soon those claws will be able to inflict some damage.

Here's a couple of pics...

This is "Trick Daddy" (I call him Terrible #3):

And this is Trina (I call her Terrible #4). She's very sweet, and the runt of the litter.

Here's another shot of Trina. She looks the most like an alien, and is really sorta ugly. Lol.

And here are the "twins," otherwise known as Boosie and something that starts with a "W," or as I call them, Terribles #1 & 2. My favorite is the alien eyed "Boosie" (the Terrible on the right).

So, someone please adopt these poor animals, who are otherwise going to be known as "Terribles." If they don't find homes, I'm afraid James will snatch them, and then I'll be stuck with them forever. 

Not much else is going on...Joe has his big FSHMUN Model UN competition this weekend, and I just bought hime a new dress shirt and tie for the occasion. He's super excited. Last year he had a lot of fun. I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but last weekend, Joe participated in a history competition in DeLand, and his team won first place. Pretty cool! 

Anyway, have a great day everyone. Be kind to one another.