Hospital

[poliphilo]

An early morning hospital appointment.  craftyailz  has pressure in her left eye. It's all down to her contracting TB as a nipper. Now they're going to do something about it.

Hospitals make me shrivel inside. Even though I've been a nurse. Maybe because I've been a nurse. But recent visits have been less horrid than experience has led me to expect. This morning we were seen on time. And the waiting room seemed brighter than the waiting rooms of yore with their oxygen-deficient smell and their piles of women's magazines in the process of reverting to wood pulp. Maybe all that money we're told they're spending on the Health Service is actually having an effect.

 The upshot of this particular visit is that Ailz is going to have to have her eye lasered. It sounds horrific. I hate the idea but apparently it's an in-out, routine sort of an operation that doesn't require hospitalization. The laser, said Ailz, was in the room next to the one where the doctor examined her. 

They'll send for her in about two months. 

Stop worrying about it,  idiot;  this is going to make her better!

 

Comments

[dakegra.livejournal.com]

I hope all goes well for her. My opinion of hospitals is very high, from my recent experience. Though that did result in one BabyLily, so I'm biased.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I really do think our hospitals are getting better.

(In spite of what Michael Howard says)

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Best of luck to her.

I don't think anyone likes hospitals much. But Ailz' procedure doesn't sound so bad. She will probably get given Valium, and need fussing over and lots of cups of tea afterwards - that's where you come in, of course!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'm just a fraidy-cat whe it comes to medical procedures.

I specially hate needles. Are lasers as scary as needles? Probably not.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

Nothing is a scary as needles. But I do understand. AFter all, it's her EYES. My mother is afraid to have cataract surgery because, even though everyone she knows has had it successfully, it's her EYES.

We'll all send good vibrations Ailz' way. And yours too, I think.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

Yeah, if it's your eyes there's no way you can avoid looking.

But I believe the eyes are actually pretty tough and insensitive.

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Intuitively, no, because needles are made of sharp, solid metal, and we all learn to be afraid of that at an early age. But rationally, I would say more so, because lasers can cut through solid metal at the right level of intensity (although I don't know how strong medical lasers are).

I fully understand the 'it's her EYES' sentiment, too. I sometimes think I'd like to break free of my glasses and have laser eye surgery (I can't wear contacts because my eyes are too sensitive for them). But I just can't stand to take the risk, especially since it's relatively new surgery and the long-term effects aren't really known.

By the way, every time I see or hear the word laser, I instantly hear Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers films threatening world governments with the power of a 'laser', and wiggling his fingers to indicate that it's a special word which needs inverted commas, because he's been in cryogenic suspension for 30 years, and doesn't realise it's become a perfectly normal term.

If you haven't seen this, I recommend that you do, as hopefully its comedy value will reduce the scariness of the 'lasers' which will be used on Ailz' eyes! Both the relevant snippet of dialogue and a .wav file of it can be found on this page (search for 'laser' to find it quickly), but of course, because it is only an audio file, you miss out on Dr. Evil's megalomaniacal look and wiggling fingers.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I don't know whether ny eyes are sensitive or not. I won't even try contacts. I hate the idea of putting foreign objects in my eyes. Stupid, really.

Ah yes, I love Dr Evil......

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

No, they aren't needles at all.

They are only lights.

And perhaps they will give Ailz something to relax her.

(And you, too, might need a Little Something!)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

i swear by herbal "Quiet Life" tablets myself.

[ibid.livejournal.com]

At least they are actually dealing with her - and 2 months isn't too bad for the nhs.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

This all started when the optician called her in for a routine test last autumn, got alarmed at the results and bundled her off (in a hastily summoned taxi) to Casualty. Since then the mills of the NHS have ground away and she's been referred here, there and yonder and finally to the Hospital Eye Clinic. The process has been slow, stately, but thorough. I've no complaints.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I cannot imagine being an opthamologist, but to them this is so routine that they don't even feel nervous about it! They get up, have breakfast, say "ho-hum, it's off to the races!" kiss their mates, and it's another day.

And I don't think it will take long, either, and then she can come right home all better!

(But maybe you could go somewhere special to celebrate, if they will allow it afterward.)

I'm sorry she has to have this done, but luckily she has good doctors, Tony.

Two months? That won't interfere with Spain, will it?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

No, we won't let it interfere. The NHS is surprisingly good about rearranging appointments if they fall inconveniently.

[morrison-maiden.livejournal.com]

Aw, hehe...Don't worry! I can totally understand that this would make you nervous, but I know even here in the States, laser surgery/treatment for the eyes is very routine and common. I know it does sound kind of scary, but you're her husband, so it's only natural that this would worry you. I'm sure once it's been done, you'll feel much better and you'll see that it's all ok ♥

[silent-mouse.livejournal.com]

My best wishes to her.
The mere thought of something being done to someone's eyes make me shiver. But lasers are not that bad as they are portrayed in SF movies.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Well no- I guess they're precision instruments.

I just can't help thinking of that scene from Goldfinger.

[four-thorns.livejournal.com]

yes, best wishes. medical type things always make me nervous, too. but i think lasers are pretty safe.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Anything to do with doctors and hospitals makes me nervous.

Ringing the practice to ask for a repeat prescription makes me nervous.

[kaysho.livejournal.com]

Best wishes on her surgery! I'm sure she'll come out just fine.