Back after complicated surgery

Tessa · Post by **Tessa** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 11:35 am

My dear friends.
It has been a long time but I am glad to be back.

I´ve missed the chance to wish you all a happy Christmas and a healthy and nice New Year 2011, but have not been able to do so because I finally had eye surgery on December 9 and the recovery process after the surgery has been long and difficult...

Well, it is never too late. I really hope that you are all healthy and had a good start of this new 2011.

The removal of the 4 pterygiums (eye growths) in both eyes was far from easy.

I got the 4 pterygiums removed (2 in each eye) and had 4 conjunctival autografts with stitches (2 in each eye).

Instead of the expected 15 minutes surgery with each eye, it was a total of 1 hour and a half at the Operating Theatre...

Furthermore, because of all my allergies and reaction to several drugs, though they used local anesthetic, the anesthetist decided not to use sedation.
Plus it was such a long surgery that I nearly had to cry to ask for more anesthetic as I was starting to feel the pain..

As the surgery was both eyes the same time, I could not open my eyes until days after it... (And was sent home a couple of hours after the surgery). Can you imagine the situation?
My husband giving me the food and helping me for everything...

Yes, it has been a very difficult recovery. First unable to open my eyes, then unable to stand the light, unable to keep my eyes open...

The medical team was excellent and I am happy of the result. My eyes are much better now. Well, as you know, I could not avoid the surgery (or I could have lost my sight).

But step by step...I have finally reached an acceptable recovery. I am back to work, to read, to watch tv, to write, to surf the net... And back to tell you, my dear friends and to share it with you.

:bigbighug:

Love,
Tessa

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 11:46 am

Hi Tessa, I was wondering how you were doing. I am so glad that it worked out well for you. Although I cannot imagine being awake during that.

In the end though its your eyesight that's important..

Thanks for the update

--Joe

Post by **tex** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 2:12 pm

Hi Tessa,

It's so good to see a post from you again. Yes, I was wondering if the surgery was a success, because I was sure it would be difficult, and I was concerned for your vision. It's wonderful to see that it turned out well. Even though it was so difficult with local anesthetic, I'm sure that was much safer than using general anesthesia.

Thank you for the update, and I hope that 2011 unfolds into a wonderful year for you, also.

Love,
Wayne

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 5:24 pm

I hope 2011 is wonderful for you!!!

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 6:34 pm

Tessa,

I've also been thinking about you lately and wondering how you've been. You've had quite an ordeal, but it sounds like it was for the best. I admire your strength. I don't know if I would have been able to endure such an operation. I can't even put contact lenses in my eyes!

It's good to hear from you again. I'm glad you're back to work and are able to read, and use your eyes fully.

Gloria

ant · Post by **ant** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 7:18 am

Dear Tessa

That surgery sounds like a very scary ordeal. You are so brave!!

I hope you continue to progress well. Best wishes, Ant

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 7:31 am

Tessa,
You sure deserve a good year after all you have been through the past few. Hope this year will be full of good health, peace and pleasure.

Love, Shirley

JLH · Post by **JLH** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 10:18 am

back, Tessa. We missed you. I'm glad your surgery is behind you and the results are good. I hope you have a wonderful 2011.

:bouqueofpinkroses:

hazel · Post by **hazel** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 11:49 am

So glad to hear you are doing well. Sorry it was such a rough go. :flowersmiley:

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:18 am

Welcome home Tessa.

Happy to hear that the surgery went well but being awake for it would have scared the heck out of me. Here's to a continued recovery and that stays as well as now.

Missed you.

Love, Maggie

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:22 am

Tessa, mi querida amiga!

So good to see you back. WOW - that surgery was indeed scary. Thank goodness the worst is over and that you had a good outcome. I have been wondering how you were doing, so thanks for updating us. Glad to hear that Gabriel has been such a help to you. What a guy!!!

Lots of love, and a happy new year to you, too!

Polly

Tessa · Post by **Tessa** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:13 pm

Hy my dear friends,

:bigbighug:

Thank you all for your answers, support and good wishes for the New Year 2011.

Yes, it has been a difficult surgery. I thought it was not going to be so hard, but I really had no other choice.

Wayne, you knew how hard it was going to be, hey?

Thank you for wondering about my surgery, Joe and Wayne.

Shirley, nice to read from you.
Maggie, I missed you too.

It is when you cannot use your eyes that you are aware of how much you need them. And then you have much more time to think and you remember that you have friends so far... As all of you, my dear friends.

Polly, querida amiga. Thank you. It has been hard. But at least it is over. I am still suffering from tired eyes at the end of the day, but it´s normal as my 4 autografts are still healing.

:manynanas:

Yes, I had an excellent team (specialist) and my husband who helped me a lot... :flowersmiley:

Hazel and Joan. Glad to read your answers.

Thanks for your support.

MBombardier and Ant

I am so happy to be able to read your posts... And to be back.

:bigbighug:

I hope you are all healthy and had an excellent start of the year.
Love,
Tessa