Cataract Surgery

It was a beautiful day Thursday.

I arrived early at SurgiSite Boston, Waltham and was checked in quickly.  [Thank you Leslie, for driving.] I was escorted by Gabe to the 'prep' area that looked much like the chemotherapy unit I got to know all too well last summer.  There were a number of reclining chairs and many health professionals milling about and attending to the patients. My assigned seat was way at the end.  Gabe gave me a hair net cap and fastened a surgical gown over my clothes.  I was instructed to sit and another person (un-named), attached electrodes and blood pressure cuff.  Yet another person draped a warm blanket over my legs as Lisa introduced herself and began her ritual of asking me a litany of questions: did I take my meds today; did I eat; etc., she entered the information into their computer system.

Just as she was finishing, Steve, the anesthesiologist stopped by and explained the procedures I would be having and what kind of sedative (and how much) I would be given.  Although I was probably told this, Steve described the two procedures.  First, I would be bought into a room where a laser would break apart my cataract and incisions would be made on my eye. Second, I would be brought into the operating room where the broken cataract lens would be removed.  Dr. Song would then place my corrective lens in place.  It sounded clear cut.

Being early, I had to wait nearly an hour before being wheeled in.  So I apologized and asked to use the rest room.  Steve told me that I couldn't because the fluids where needed to be retained by my body - then he laughed and said he was joking.  He unchained me and allowed me to take care of things.

After returning and waiting for my turn, I noticed a steady stream of patients being wheeled in as others were wheeled out and given a debriefing with instructions for care.  Very methodically organized.

Finally it was my turn.  I was wheeled into the first room and a few professionals got me onto a very narrow 'bed' with a special spot for my head.  My head was strapped into place so I could not move.  [Good thing].

Dr. Song arrived and asked, "Which eye we were working on today?"  [Common practice these days.] He explained what would be happening and what to expect.  "You'll see a lot of lights and shapes.  You may feel some pressure", he said. A suctioned guard (of sorts) was then placed in my eye socket and I was positioned under the arm of the machine. I was instructed to "look at the blinking light."  Yes, there were many types of lights, shapes and odd sounds, but the most disturbing is when the suction device lost its suction.  There wasn't panic, but I sensed that it was not supposed to happen and everything came to an abrupt stop.  I heard some medical jargon being exchanged, then I was told that the suction was lost so I was going "back under" so the procedure could be finished.  At the conclusion the doctor said, "I think we got it all."  [You think??  Really??]

I was wheeled into the operating room where Jean introduced himself.  Other medical professionals where quickly preparing me as a nurse and Dr. Song entered.  A hood-like apparatus covered my head was attached to my eye socket with some adhesive.  The only opening in the hood was just for the eye.  Yes, the Clockwork Orange implements came out and my eye was propped open. They quickly got to work.  I was unsure how long this would last, since the laser took about 5 minutes - even with the start/stop/resume.  Unfortunately for me, I needed to visit the restroom again and all I could think about was how badly I needed to go. Of course the steady stream of eye drops (thoughts of waterboarding came to mind) didn't help ease my full bladder.  I just wanted it to be done.

Other than my bladder discomfort, there wasn't any pain or discomfort from the procedure.  There was a few times when I felt pressure, but not really seeing what was happening (and probably the effects of the sedative), I was having all these thoughts of what - might be happening.  Did they mess up and have to cut through the cornea? Did the lens not unfurl as desired?  Did they have to use bobby pins to move the lens into place?  Did they have to use dissolving sutures?  Of course none of these transpired. [I asked Dr Song at my follow-up.]

After Dr. Song announced that we were done, I was detached from my tether and wheeled back to the prep/recovery area.  I had asked if I could visit the restroom.  The professional said, "You'll be leaving in about 10 minutes."   I said I really had to go.  Thank heavens.  I can't imagine where all these fluids came from.

After returning to my assigned chair, Ellen provided a debrief and instructions on what I could and could not do.  I was provided with an eye guard that I needed to keep on (except when instilling eye drops), and sleep with.  I couldn't sleep on my right side; lift anything more than 10 pounds; bend below my waist or drive a car. I was given a genuine imitation leather bag with some polarized sunglasses and an extra guard with adhesive tape.  Gabe stopped by and escorted me to the main waiting room.

There was a good window of opportunity so traffic wasn't too bad and we made decent time getting home.  I parked my butt on the couch and watched some Netflix.  My vision was still blurry, but by bed time, I could see the TV and actually read through that eye.  Awesome!

Unfortunately, I had to refrain from sleeping on my right side and as a result got little sleep.  Of course my follow-up appointment was the next day at 8:15 AM.  So getting up much earlier and having to deal with morning rush hour traffic wasn't something I was looking forward to.

More to come.