Diabetes Health Talk

Yesterday I talked about hubby’s bout with retinopathy. It was a very difficult time and one I would not like to repeat - nor would I wish it on anyone.

It’s never easy to see someone you care deeply about suffering - and he was really a good sport about it all - the weekly trips, the sitting in the chair, the getting bursts of laser beams shot into his eyes . . . all of these were peppered with his quirky sense of humor. And, EVERYONE loved him through it all. They laughed with him and they cried with me - and loved me through it all.

You see - in the midst of all that, another complication came up - first in one eye and then in the next. His retinas became detached. Surgery was called for and the doctors scheduled the first one as soon as they could.

That retina reattached pretty easily and we continued with the laser treatments.

Then the second retina detached - this one was more difficult to repair - it folded down onto itself and became hard - so the vitreous had to be taken out and replaced with a bubble to hold the retina in place.

Hubby had to walk around with his head down - facing the ground - for a couple of weeks. I had to lead him everywhere - his hand on my shoulder - wherever we went. Poor guy got quite a crick in his neck, too!

It worked - mostly. There was a third surgery at the end of that year - to attach one corner of the retina.

Today hubby sees pretty well out of both eyes - as well as he could ever hope. He was literally blind for months, so any sight is a LOT of sight, if you follow. He has no peripheral vision, but his straight on vision is not too shabby.

Well, except for the cataracts - and we are in Anchorage today to have the right eye operated on to take care of that cataract. All going well with the first eye, the docs will do the second in a few weeks.

During all of the laser and retina problems, by the way, we had little insurance. We were small business owners (printers by trade) and the medical just sucked it all dry - of course, the fact that hubby couldn’t see was also a detriment to the business. I did a lot of presswork and camera work myself during that time - with hubby telling me what to do and how.

But, God does not let His people suffer if He has a better plan. I praise Him for the Kenai Lions Club. They held a fundraiser and helped with the medical bills. We are blessed to call those folks our friends.

I guess if I had much more to say on the subject, it would be my standard mantra - take care of yourself - take care of your disease - take care of your eyes - take care of you.

eyes, retinopathy, detached retina, cataract, type 2 diabetes