I didn’t see that coming

There are certain things I expect when I go to the doctors office, depending on the doctors specialty. When I go to the dentist I expect some anxiety, fear, discomfort and pain. I also expect to laugh at the stereotypical question when my mouth is full of tools and fingers. When I go to the urologist I expect the theatrically loud snapping of the latex gloves, awkward discomfort and forced and insincere , “Thank you doctor” on the way out.

When I go to the eye doctor I expect to hear that my prescription has changed and I need to get some new lenses. What did not expect was to be told I have “what appears to be” the beginnings of macular degeneration. http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/amd.htm (Some day I will learn to make links. Or not.)

Wow. Now I asked a bunch of questions and my doctor was fantastic and helpful with answers. Of course the one thing that comes up, over and over again is, we need to do some more tests to be sure. Great. Tests= $. Yea, I know, I am going blind according to this person and need to be more involved with that than the cost of it but, crap, not much getting in so not much to go out.

I am hoping that I just jumped the gun in my typical impatient way and instead of waiting till 65, like 80% of folks and went for the dry type. Just develop crappy vision and become a terror (more terror?) behind the wheel of a car.

I am really hoping that I did not decide to be unique and get that wet kind of this thing. Even the description is creepy. WET. ew.

I’ve had this information a few days before writing this. I was extremely busy trying to complete a set before the show opened. Managed to do so with almost 30 minutes to spare! Really, at 7:35 with a curtain of 8:00, taking tools off of the stage with fingers crossed. No time to test some things – just lights up and hope for the best. Almost everything worked too! Nice.

Now, I have spent this lazy morning not needed to be anywhere or accomplish anything and this has come back to muddle about in my head. When can I make it for more tests? What will I do if it is the bad kind? (Like there is a good way to loose you vision. Sure) Can I make the going blind jokes about masturbation anymore? So many things to ponder.

I was amused when we, the doctor and I, went through the how’s and why’s. Some of the damage is self inflicted. Although it has been over 25 years since I used any kind of illegal/illicit drugs, seems that some of them leave a ‘stuff’ in your body and specifically in your eyes depending on what they are cut with. A lesson on cocaine purity from an ophthalmologist, go figure. So, to my deceased dealer Randy, who once said, “This shit will catch up to you man”, you were right. The catching has begun.

I am some what surprised and irritated with my other eye doctor. This doc, new to me, asked at least four times that I recall, “Your doctor never mentioned this to you? Are you sure?” Hm. Now I have only been wearing glasses for 5 years but have had the dilation and pictures taken two times. It seems, that is what is needed and what should have shown this. This info being what it is makes me think the bad kind is not what I have or I would be bumping into stuff by now. I was extra critical of all the things I could not see while building this last set. Was it worse than it has been or was I just a zillion times more conscious of it?

My new reading glasses, since I am still clutching the past and too vain for bi-focals, should be ready in a week. Along with the other news, I got the news I was expecting, new prescription and no, we do not make lenses for those frames you like so much.

This, I am sure, will be revisited in future posts. Just a matter of time and a few extra bucks.

Peace,

Ant-Knee