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January 02, 2006
The journey to becoming a real patch wearing pirate
I broke my glasses, or rather "lost" my glasses on Christmas Eve while driving. They were the only pair I had, as I'd been holding out on going to the optometrist to get examined and get a new prescription. That was a Saturday night, and I had to be back to work Tuesday, so I knew Monday, I'd have to run to LensCrafters to get an emergency pair of glasses, and pay out of pocket as they aren't in my insurer's (VSP) "network".
OK, no biggie. While I was there, I figured I might as well get the full eye examination and get my pupils dilated, just to make sure everything was ok. It had been 5 yrs since I'd had that done, and thought I should take a peek for safety's sake.
Well, they found something, in my left eye. They call it a "Choroidal Nevus". The O.D. at first called it a "freckle", but strongly encourage me to get an appointment with an Ophthalmologist.
This is the first pre-cancer type medical condition I've discovered. I thought I'd be a lot more alarmed when I was told about something like this, but at the time, my overriding concern was to be able to get a pair of glasses that night. I was also getting very "interested" in the friendly optician that was assisting me, and she discovered as much after taking my blood pressure.
I've yet to make the appointment, and just recently changed my primary doctor, so I guess I'll have to go in on my vacation and see whats up. The O.D. said they would most likely start a regime of 3-6 mo. monitoring appointments, then if after 2 years, no growth, increase to 12 mo. intervals. From what I've read, the statistics are promising that nothing will ever develop. I would opt for
irradiation and/or laser surgery before throwing in the towel, and going Sammy D/Pirate style, otherwise known as Enucleation
I never thought it would be my eyes that would give me a problem. My imagination wandered a little after reading up on these "freckles", but I've chilled out after crunching the numbers, and learning of the success of treatment they have with early detection. I kept wondering if I hadn't broke my glasses, how long it would have been before I discovered this? I guess that answer will only come with time.
Here are a few sites I've been browsing:
In the mean time, I'm going to check out eye patches and fake eye balls.
Here are some of the latest styles:
http://www.eyepatchheaven.com/eyepatch.htm
Posted by cystdog at January 2, 2006 04:14 PM
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