[gatorgirly]

#1059382

Just left my oculofacial surgeon’s (Dr. C) office my final pre-op appointment. My dad came with me, since he’ll be my primary caregiver once I get home. The surgeon offered to let me choose to stay overnight (I have an afternoon surgery) or go home. I said I would like to go home, but that if the pain is quite severe or I end up needing 24-hour IV steroids, I will stay. I hope I can go home – I want real food, my own bed, and a MRSA-free zone.

The big news of the appointment is that he is confident I will not need a lateral wall decompression on either eye. No visible scars! He actually just came back from a conference in Argentina and spoke to several surgeons about my case, and he decided based on where most of my swelling has occurred, the lateral wall removal will provide little, if any benefit. He still plans to have the ENT surgeon (Dr. S) endonasally remove the medial walls and orbital floor. I forgot to ask, but I wonder if that means Dr. C won’t be doing much other than directing the ENT surgeon…? He is not used to patients as young as me, and he wants to make sure he doesn’t make my life at 27 (I’ll be 28 in two weeks) any worse than it already is. My social life has taken a huge hit since TED reared its ugly head.

He is very concerned that based on how small and deep-set my eyes were before TED, he will need to remove a lot of bone and fat and thus increase the risk of double vision. I reassured him that I am OK with this risk – I want my old eyes back. I also have a very good support system in place – Dad and brother at home, Mom lives an hour away and will be there for the surgery, and my boss and co-workers are fully supportive and will make any accommodations necessary to help me work despite any side effects the surgery causes. I want to keep my job and they don’t want to lose me, so my job isn’t at risk, but I worry about my ability to work if I have double vision.

I will see Dr. C for follow-up on Post-op Day Two (Thursday) and Dr. S on Day Six (Monday). I already raise the head of my bed 4 inches, and plan to put pillows under the head of my mattress as suggested by Shirley. I will have a mini fridge at an arm’s length for ice, snacks, and water. I have a warm air humidifier on my nightstand since I cannot blow my nose (or lift, bend over, or go upside down) for 10 days. I downloaded audiobooks and will set my iPhone to read messages out loud to me starting the morning of surgery. As for the 14 hours I have to fast before surgery, I have chapstick (I heard dry mouth/lips is worse than hunger) and a movie downloaded on my iPad. Any other suggestions?

I’m not nervous, although I know the risk of double vision should alarm me. I’m just so excited to get my old eyes back, and to put this first of many steps behind me.

[Kimberly]

#1174401

@gatorgirly – Thanks for this update! The fact that you are documenting your journey here will be a real source of comfort for future TED patients.

SO glad to hear that you have a supportive family as well as understanding co-workers. Wishing you all the best on this next phase of your journey!

[Author]

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