AT THE OREGON COAST

APPARENTLY, I'M SCREWED

The visit to the eye specialist and surgeon who did my cataract surgery was not satisfactory at all.  In fact, the worst customer service ever.

The surgeon was over an HOUR late in seeing me.  The front desk told me she was running 20-30 minutes behind.  My WLLO driver lives close so she went home to rake leaves.  After waiting and then waiting even more in the little office, I texted her that I would just take an Uber home.  Fortunately, she insisted she wanted to retrieve me to escape leaf duty.

The vision in my "new" eye is 20/50 (actually, I think it is worse than that).  The technician who checked my vision started with the excuses before the Dr even came in.  It's not an exact science, not everyone gets 20/20 vision, yada yada yada.  My high school buddy's husband just had two cataracts removed and he has 20/20.  My driver's friend just had hers done and SHE has 15/20 in one eye and 20/20 in the other.  Finally the Dr came in.  First off, she said 20/50 is "not that bad" and it qualifies to be "drivable" vision per the Department of Motor Vehicles.  I explained there is no way on earth I could drive safely with that vision.  And I didn't think she would drive with that poor of vision either.

Then she said well, you do have astigmatism.  Yes, less than 1 diopter I told her.  I asked her months ago when I was deciding which kind of lens to have implanted and she said no need for a toric lens.  I reminded her of that conversation and reiterated that what I asked for was long distance vision so I could drive safely without specs.

Her next topic was "it's not an exact science" in choosing the lens.  Honestly?  I think she chose the wrong lens.  But she would not admit it.  So, I asked how do we fix this?  She "could" remove the lens and insert a different strength.  She "could" do laser surgery to correct the vision.  She "could" insert a stronger lens in the other eye.  But wearing glasses for driving is the only affordable option for me.  ALL of her "coulds" would be out of pocket procedures ... thousands of dollars.

Fortunately, my driver is a retired doctor!  She reaffirmed my thinking that the surgeon just made a mistake in choosing the lens.  She should have just fessed up.  Offered her time for free to fix it.

The good news is my eye is fine and healthy.  I have asked my Dr for a referral and my driver doctor gave me a referral.  And I'll Google my eyes out researching.

A simple apology would go a long way.

MY NEW EYE IS DETERIORIATING

I was so excited with my long distance vision after the cataract was removed from my left eye and a new monofocal lens installed.

Until about two weeks after surgery, when my eyesight in my left eye was not as powerful as it had been.  October 30 was my first month check up and there was much checking of my vision.  When the 12-year-old surgeon (with her Stanford medical degree) entered the mix, I complained about not being able to see as far as I would like.  I'd like to be able to drive without glasses.

She asked if I would like a stronger lens for my right eye (which isn't being done until December).  I don't think my brain can handle two different powers, which is why I didn't choose one eye for close up and one eye for distance.  I don't mind reading glasses or computer distance glasses.  Which is what I explained to her again.  But mostly I would like to be free of specs for the first time since third grade.

Last Monday I went to a restaurant where you order from a giant chalkboard.  I could not read the board with either eye.  As soon as I returned home, I called the eye specialist's office to ask what my vision was in my new left eye.  After a few back and forth phone calls, the surgeon would like to see me tomorrow (Veteran's day).

I wasn't expecting 20/20 (which surely is possible in the year 2020!) but I was expecting better than this.  Driving is especially difficult ... I had to get out my glasses with just one lens in for my bad right eye ... then closed my "good" eye.

It's not safe for me to drive (also hard to walk with no depth perception) so now my daughter drives me around.  I've had to put myself on leave from WLLO volunteer driving indefinitely.  She and the family are at the beach for the long weekend, so I had to ask WLLO for a ride to and from the eye clinic tomorrow.

Either the lens has moved out of place or she put in the wrong prescription lens.  We've had a huge blast of pollen this past week so maybe the pressure in my eye has changed.

IF she has to change the lens (or reposition) I'm going to BEG that she do both eyes at the same time.  

CHANGING UP!

Wow!  I missed posting on Thursday.  I think I will change my days to Sunday and Wednesday.  Keep tuned in.

I have been the Office Volunteer in the WLLO Virtual Office at least on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Often three days a week.  And I feel like I'm on duty on Wednesdays as well as our volunteer is not picking up on doing things.  (Another blog for when I'm feeling WHINEY)

It's usually not too much work but I need to have access to my computer.  Since I'm addicted to my laptop, that's an easy ask.  I can still go out on errands or lunch as long as I check my email.  IF something comes up, I'm not far from home on the days I'm on duty.

So check in tomorrow ... after you check out the school pictures!

 

Mr Deacon, 5.5 Kindergarten (yes, he picked his own outfit)

Mr. Braeden, 9 and in 3rd grade.

GIVING

We are fast approaching the time of year for charity donations and IRA withdrawals. Those who are 70½ or older will discover definite advantages to contributing money to a qualified charity directly from your IRAs. 

The IRS provided this easy way to escape paying taxes on our Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) several years ago

Such qualified charitable donations (QCDs) will also help those of us who pay taxes on a portion of their Social Security benefits. Such donations will also help those who are subject to tax on net investment income, or a phase-out of personal exemptions or itemized deductions. Perhaps this is something for you and your acquaintances to ponder. 

I'm not quite at RMD age, but believe me ... this is how I will do my giving once I hit that magic number.

STOP ME!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOYS and BOYS

Mr. 9 and Mr. 5.5.  Mostly they love each other and play, play, play together.  Yet they have so many differences.

Mr. 5.5 loves to dress like a Wall Street business person.  Mr. 9 wants to be a rapper (especially since he learned P. Diddy attended Montessori schools).

(his outfit for picture day)

Mr. 5.5 wants new ties for Christmas.  Mr P Diddy wants a thick gold chain and a cross.

Mr. 9 is enjoying a bit of alone time, listening to music.  Mr 5.5 loves creating things.  Dad lets him nail scrap wood, dig in the dirt, have a half bucket of water any season of the year.  Mom enjoys providing craft products and letting his imagination go. 

At school, Mr. 5.5 is learning to sew.  He came home VERY excited to mail some handiwork to his favorite Aunt (my sister Janet).  Even had his  "guide" (teacher) write Aunt Janet's name on the water color.

   

Mr. 9 is all about using technology.  He uses Alexa the most in our family.  He can even have her turn on the TV and find a movie!  She saves his favorite music so he can just ask "play my mellow playlist" or "Alexa!  Play my dance music playlist"  He loves to wander through the internet on his topic of the week .... from dung beetles to kids catching big fish to stencils for carving pumpkins (yes, he can print from an iPhone).

Mr. 5.5 is a finicky eater.  He won't even TRY things.  At home.  And while he used to LOVE cantaloupe, now he refuses.  School is amazing at offering the Kindergarten group two snacks a day ... now he likes celery, salami, honeydew and almond butter!  Mr. 9 has always loved ANY fruit or vegetable... not too high on meat.  Mr. 5.5 prefers flesh.

They both still love being military.  Dressing the part. Playing with action figures.  Carrying play guns and rifles.  Mr. 9 and a cohort at school did a project on tanks.  They learned that Leonardo Da Vinci invented the first tank in 1487 and they made a tank out of cardboard, egg cartons, foil and paint.

But they still have a soft spot for Gramma.  This is CALENDAR weekend for me, so I've been holed up in my office triple checking everything.

They shared a favorite lambie, made a flip book, a three dimensional shark, gave me some bird flash cards and put some steps on my fitbit.  They also came in 1,842,905 times to borrow my tape or my scissors or my stapler or my paper or my markers.

Smart Gramma quietly locked her door.  

SURPRISE!  Look Gramma, I can get in so you don't have to come to the door!