Spirithorse Bob health up-date

[spirithorse]

A quick up-date on my absence from SSV:  I had to have surgery on both eyes and the surgeon removed cataracts, inserted a prosthetic lens in the back of the eye, and removed the cornea and replaced it with a donor cornea from a cadaver. That had to be done to both eyes and the first operation on the right eye was no good, I was legally blind in that eye, and the surgery had to be done a second time. I had to go from October of 2022 to March of 2023 with no glasses because the surgeon said the eyes would keep improving and if I rushed into getting glasses, I would have to get another pair within just weeks and waste my money. To be honest, I wish now that I had not had the surgeries at all.  I think my vision is worse now and I used to be able to just remove my glasses to read. Now I am far-sighted, a complete reversal of my previous vision. I still have to keep putting drops in my eyes 4 times a day. I think those are supposed to eliminate chances of infection and to be sure my body does not reject the donor corneas.  After all that, my vision actually got worse from one visit to the surgeon to the next visit and he simply says my eyes will continue to improve and the vision will fluctuate. I had to have another pair of glasses made with prisms in the lenses to stop having double vision.

Then, after all that mess, I had a stroke on April 5th, 2023.  I was alone at the time and was completely paralyzed on the left side (arm, leg, and proper speech), but, I was able to contact my daughter who is a paramedic and now works as a home visiting nurse. I knew she could contact the correct people for the fastest response. Basically, all they did when I first got to the hospital was give me 81mg aspirin (commonly referred to as baby aspirin) and blood thinners.  They have some kind of medicine they can administer if the time from onset of the stroke to getting to the hospital is within 2 hours or so but, they could not take my word for the time the strike happened even though I knew exactly when it began and had the phone record or when I called my daughter and then called my wife.  Apparently, if they administer that medication too long after the stroke it can cause  internal bleeding.  I do not know exactly how long it took but, I know within 16 hours I had
regained the use of my left arm, my left leg, and my speech had improved. I just kept trying to move and had them bring me a walker so I could get up to go to the bathroom. I always had to buzz a nurse to accompany me but, I was determined to keep trying to use my muscles and get back to normal. I wasn't afraid of dying but, I did not want to be crippled and be a burden to anyone.
I'm going to try to visit the scrolling sites more often now and catch up on missed projects but, due to the poor vision, I probably won't spend much time on the computer.

Prayers would be greatly appreciated. I am blessed even though the health issues haven't been very pleasant recently. Now I have to see a plethora of doctors. During some of the CT scans they noticed nodules in my lungs so, one doctor is a lung specialist (pulmonologist), another is a cardiologist for the heart, and one neurologist to assess my stroke and the symptoms and he referred me to another neurologist that can actually do surgery on my carotid artery because they determine that my right carotid artery is blocked 80%.  That surgery may not be done at all but, it probably will be.  The nodules in my lungs will be monitored for a while before it is determined whether a biopsy or surgery is necessary.

As already mentioned, prayers and well wishes would be greatly appreciated.
God Bless! Spirithorse Bob

[Sycamore67]

Sorry to hear of your health issues.  You have my prayers!

[scrollerpete]

Well I will wish you speedy recovery and send prayers your way.

[Scrappile]

Bob, I also am sending prayers and best wishes.  I do know strokes are really scary.. Been through two that I know of. Talk about blessed, I am still up and going. Because I am stubborn I did not get to the hospital for them to give me helpful medication to reverse any affects, but like I say I am still going.  So other then doctors being very surprised that  I am not in much worse shape, all it almost good. The worst thing I remember about the strokes, in emergency, on the first one the Doc said if I want, he could give me morphine for the pain.. I had an unbelievable headache, so I figured why not.. They injected morphine into my IV and I immediately thought I was dying.  Felt like I couldn't breath and I was melting into a pool of mush.  I seriously thought that was it.. but after a few minutes I started feeling better.  When my wife took me if for the second stroke, the first statement I made when they told me it was a stroke,,, I guess I blurted out NO MORPHINE!  Anyway, I hope for the best for you. Attitude is a big help.  Stay positive and keep the faith.

 

[Dak0ta52]

Lifting you in prayers. I do wish you a speedy recovery.

[wombatie]

So sorry to hear of your health problems.  Sending all good thoughts and prayers your way.

Marg

[Dan]

Praying for you. 

[don watson]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, prayers are with you.

[ChelCass]

Holey Moley!  What a time you have had.  I am so sorry to hear of your problems but so glad you were able to reach your daughter to help you.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers.  Please keep us posted as best you can. God Bless.     Chels

[TAIrving]

Praying for you Bob.  

[barb.j.enders]

.   

[jerry walters]

Sending prayers, thoughts, and whatever else is out there to you.

Jerry

[rjweb]

Sorry for your problems, our prayers will help with the healing, RJ 

[OCtoolguy]

Prayers for you Bob. This group has a lot of spiritual power and with all the prayers, you should be fine. Please take it easy but try to keep us updated on your progress. My wife suffered a minor stroke about 12 years ago but she overcame all the problems with constant movement and exercise. 

[dgman]

Good to hear from you Bob. You have had a tough few months, but I know you will pull through with flying colors! Stay positive, and know that we all here at the Village are pulling for you.

[meflick]

Bob, I’m sorry to hear you are having such health challenges. I’m sorry to hear your vision has not been improved with your surgeries. Hopefully your surgeon is correct and they will continue to improve with time. I can imagine how frustrating that is to feel you have have worse vision than before.  I’m glad to hear you recognized your symptoms of your stroke quickly and was able to reach out for help and get to the hospital. Prayers said for your overall health and for you and your family as you deal with these challenges,