Rebirth

I had my right eye operated on yesterday - cataract removal and a prescription lens implanted. Today I went in for a follow up. I had three people examine me today, but I'm really only interested in the opinion of the surgeon. He said my left eye, done last week, has healed remarkably fast and is virtually healed. The right eye is still dilated a little so that vision is fuzzy. He said unless some unforeseen problem shows up I should be able to ride my bicycle in a week. I've been planting trees and moving a lot of rock and gravel recently. We didn't actually discuss heavy yard work, but I think the implication is that that will be okay then too.

I couldn't help but notice that I am always the youngest person by ten years in the waiting room. I asked the doctor if that didn't get a little depressing after a while. He said on the contrary, it was very gratifying. He is giving people new life. Often they haven't been able to drive, been able to do things that make their life fulfilling and he is able to give that back to them. That morning he talked to an older woman who hadn't been able to do her hardanger embroidery for years and now she can again. Obviously my vision was shortsighted.

I'm not going to take up needlework, but I can see better than I ever could. I probably will get glasses, particularly prescription sunglasses for driving, but right now I'm operating with $9 sunglasses and a pair of cheaters from Walgreen for reading. Gosh, it's great so far.

Be well,
Gunnar