EYE SURGERY: MY HUSBAND'S JOURNEY TO A CLEARER VISION

Our eyes are one of the most essential parts of our body. This is the organ of seeing. Without our eyes, our life would be miserable or we live in this world incomplete. When we have an eyesight problem we lost our vision. When we consult the doctor, very expensive especially if there's a need for an operation or surgery. So we must take care of our eyes as much as possible while it's not too late.

My dear hive friends, How are you? In this blog, I would like to share my husband's journey with his eye surgery. I mentioned in my previous blog about the eye surgery he undergoes. He had an eye problem in his two eyes. That's why he had an eye pterygium surgery last 2017 and last April 2022. After the surgery, it was found that his right eye had cataracts. So again, the doctor advises another eye surgery. With these problems, we spend a lot of money on frequent check-ups before and after the operation or surgery.

The consultation and surgical procedures were done at VSMMC Eye Center. It was a public hospital. All charges were free. All we need are the expenses but traveling, food, medicine, and others for almost 10 to 15 times of consultations, laboratory, and processing of documents for every operation. With the guidance of the Lord, we survived this journey.

He undergoes his Cataract Surgery last December 19, 2022. And the struggle of waiting for his scheduled cataract operation was over. Thanks for all your prayers. Before his operation, the doctor checks him again last December 14, 2022. After checking he had his swab test last December 16, 2022. It was a struggle for us. Since it was a public hospital so we will just follow their protocol. Most important we can avail the free charges offered to all indigent patients in the public hospital. We only need to be patient about falling in line and waiting our turn to be entertained.

For scheduling of Operation

Before he was scheduled for the operation here are the steps we have undergone.

1. We processed his PhilHealth.We were given a form to comply.

2. After we submitted the PhilHealth requirements. We were given a list of laboratories to be undergone. Before we proceed to the laboratory, we need to process the Malasakit or Social Work to avail of free charges for the laboratory. The list of laboratories needed was the following; CBC, Blood Sugar, ECG, Blood Pressure, Urinalysis, Hemoglobin, Creatinine test, and others.

3. When all the results are available. These will be submitted to the doctor for clearance or for recommendations if there are abnormalities in the results you will be given medications. My husband has a high level of blood sugar, so he was given maintenance and needs a check-up every three months by his endocrinologist.

4. So when he was cleared we wait for the call of his scheduled operation.

5. Before the day of the operation, he undergoes first a follow-up check-up.

6. After that he undergoes a swab test.

7. Before we will entered the operating room he was checked again by the doctor and the we signed all documents and weaver.

8. Then he proceeds to the operating room.

Things to Do Before the Eye operation

1. Eyes should be cleaned with no more tears and shampoo.
2. Hot compress or clean the eye.

The Day of Operation

On the day of the operation, we departed from home by 3 am. We arrived by 7:00 am. Before we line up at the entrance we eat our breakfast first. When we came back many patients already had their numbers. We just waited for the doctor to call my husband for a final check-up and the signing of documents and weaver. When it was our turn, my husband was in the operating room for almost an hour. The operation took almost 45 minutes since my husband is very cooperative. After the operation, He was very thankful to the doctor because he can now see small numbers and letters. The doctors were all happy with the results. And thank God his operation was successful.

Do's and Donts After the Surgery

1. Apply for medicine every hour.
2. Avoid lifting heavy objects.
3. Avoid stress.
4. Avoid sleeping sideways with your operated eye.
5. Avoid washing your eyes for one week
6. Do not scratch your eyes.
7. Always wear goggles.
8. Avoid exposure to sunlight.
9. Avoid frequent bowing or nodding down your head.

Steps We Undergo Before Discharge

1. Going to the Information for tagging.
2. Process the Philhealth at the Philhealth Section
3. Going to Billing Section
4. Going to Social Work
5. Back to Billing
6. Then to Eye Center Information for Discharge

It was a real struggle. I almost collapsed. My feet are aching. I traverse almost 1O times the Hospital pathways going to the different sections. I am praying to the Lord that this will be the last. We went home at exactly 7 pm. Thank God for giving me the strength to accompany my husband in his journey. Likewise, I'm so thankful to all the doctors who attended the surgical operation of my husband from the very beginning of his journey. May the Lord give them strength and good health always to treat more patients having eye problems similar to my husband's.

Note: all contents are based on my experience and my husband's experience.

That's all for this blog. Thanks for reading and God bless.