"For me, it was just another surgery!" I was so encouraged by this renter's story. He is truly an overcomer. You can be one too as you walk through this journey of facedown recovery.
Renter: S.R. ~ Burlington, Ontario
1) Why did you have vitrectomy surgery? (macular hole, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, other)
Detached Retina
2) From the time of diagnosis until surgery, how long did you have to wait?
The next day was my surgery.
3) What symptoms were you having that made you go visit an eye specialist (Optometrist or Ophthalmologist?)
For me, it was just another surgery...because of the prior health issues I have overcome, I was able to compartmentalize it quickly.
4) What kind of hope did your Ophthalmologist give you about your situation?
Again, I'm used to "dealing" with bureaucracy and coldness
5) How would you describe your level of anxiety (i.e. before surgery, during your facedown recovery)?
In retrospect, going blind may have been a huge scare...I have had to deal with war zones, failed parachutes, and a clinical trial at NIH to survive cancer, so I have an unfair advantage in building resilience...facedown for two weeks was the most challenging...a mind over matter mindset helps the most.
6) How would you describe your eyesight (i.e. one week after surgery, one month after surgery, three months after surgery)?
After a year, I just needed to adjust my prescription slightly...first 2 months were an adjustment period until the eye refocused and stopped "bouncing"...it truly was a weird situation since it just appeared out of nowhere.
7) Besides renting equipment, what one piece of advice would you give someone regarding the facedown recovery journey?
Steve (Retina Recovery Inc.) was even more valuable to me than the bed when it came to guiding me through this.
