i Kelli,
well, I have my post op appt. tomorrow. I have not seen my eye yet, for it is covered. Hard to negotiate withe one eye. It won’t be long enough for my brain to make new pathways, and then, in a couple weeks when I have the OTHER eye done, it will begin again. I am nearing the end, I hope of 7 separate eye surgeries,a nd i am definitely counting EACH eye as one surgery. It has been very hard.
I have not had radiation to my eyes, but I am pretty sure if you put that in the search box above, you will read posts from people who have had this experience. Of course you are freaking out about it! I find that the more information I have the better off I am. I suggest you make a list of your questions, and be sure they answer them. I did this for everything, for example…
1. Why are you recommending radiation?
2. What other options are there for me?
3. What are the pros?
4.*what are the cons?
5. Is this a decision based on the geographics of where I live?
6. What results do you expect? When will I know there is improvement?
7. Will the improvement be temporary or permanent? Wrapped up in that question, is sometimes the purpose is to interfere with the progress of TED, which can possible decrease the degree of severity of TEd.
8,***
I suggest strongly that you sign medical release of information forms, available at the front desk, orhave one mailed, so that you get copies of all visits and all labs. It is impossible to remember all that is said during an appointment, and it is a whole new language and world. I suggest you do this for ALL contacts you have with the medical field, then you have your own personal file, which is very wise.
Best wishes to you in your decision making. If you understand stuff, I believe it is much more encouraging, rather than the total unknown. I hope others respond who have had radiation.Shirley
TED 2008-present. OD for pressure on optic nerve 02/02/10
Eye muscle surgery 09/23/10 Upper eyelid surgery 02/01/11
Palatal graft to lower eyelid 10/04/11-next one 10/25/11
Graves dx/thyroidectomy
