I knew as soon as I opened the door and walked in that the wait was going to be a long one. Practically every chair in the room was taken. The majority of the patrons were elderly, with some being younger and obviously caregivers and there to assist. I guess that placed me somewhere in-between.
Resisting our fate, I lingered a moment with the receptionist asking about the time frame. Roland already sensing the answer.. headed towards the two free chairs on the far side. Soon, nodding at the girl behind the desk, I turned to follow him, feeling my blood already starting to boil.
Patience is a virtue I am working on.
What is it about “eye docs”. Why does every appointment take a two to three hour slice from our day.
I know this to be true from the many eye doctors that my mom visits on a regular bases. Mine have been fewer… but the time frame of the appointments rarely varies.
Today I was revisiting the eye doc that did my cataract surgery 5 years ago. Increasingly cloudy vision and a visit to my optometrist had revealed that a Posterior capsule opacity (POC) had developed. This is caused by epithelial cells remaining after the initial cataract surgery. They often (especially in younger patients, I am told) tend to multiply and end up leaving a hazy membrane (capsule) just behind the artificial intraocular lens leading to reduced vision. This is a common complication of cataract surgery and quite easily fixed. The treatment is a YAG laser capsulotomy… the why of why I was here today.
Bless Roland… I have much to learn from him in regards to patience. He quietly sat, pulled out his iPhone and started flipping through his various apps. An elderly gentleman, sitting directly across, noted the device and soon the two of them were in a friendly discussion about all the techie toys of our era.
I sat quietly too… inwardly fighting with my Irish temperament, trying to maintain a tolerant demur instead of focusing on the long wait ahead. I had the thought that taking out my own iPod and inserting the ear phones might make us look like two middle aged dweebs.. so I leafed through a magazine instead.
About 40 minutes later I heard my name called and was lead into a small examination room, had a few preliminary eye tests done, received the eye drops to dilate the pupils and then returned to the waiting room (to wait some more).
Now what was I to do to combat those negative thoughts swirling about in my head? Unable to read any longer with pupils near the size of my Iris, I relented, reached into my purse, and pulled out my iPod.
I slipped on the white ear buds, toggled on my favourite playlist and mercifully was instantly adrift. Glancing up just as Jann Arden’s soft voice filled my consciousness, I felt as if I had instantaneously entered a different dimension.
The dilated pupils had effected my vision to the point where my central sight was clear but a blurry cloud softened the periphery. The music now living in my head muffled the conversational buzz of the room.
I had been transported. I slowly felt my body relax.
I suppose some did notice us there.. the two middle aged geeks, sitting side by side, both immersed in their little technical wizardry.. but I no longer cared… for I was of another world. :-)
colleen b—–
Colleen B—–
COLLEEN B—–
“Oh! Yes… here”. I hurriedly pulled the ear pieces from my ears and followed the assistant into the awaiting doc’s domain.
I was given a brief eye exam, a consent to sign, and then told that the laser treatment would be done and would only take a moment.
And surprise, surprise… that is really what it took… one quick moment of laser zaps. And I was done.
Grateful for once more having clear vision, we left with me no longer regretting the wait and truly feeling very thankful for the handy little iPod that helped me keep my cool… and for Roland, of course. :-) He is so often my eyes and shows me the way.
———-
One of my favourite Jann Arden songs:
Love the iPod! Interesting you didn’t have to sign consent before the dilating drops were put in.
Glad to hear it was a speedy and successful procedure.
True … but I did have some visual studies done that required dilated pupils as well. These tests were to rule out Glaucoma… which they did. :-)
I’m so glad it’s over and glad that it went well! I have trouble waiting…I would have been a nervous wreck.
I have the same thing happening with my right eye. My cataract surgeon said I have a little “fuzz” on my eye. So far, it’s not bad and I can still see well. But I know I will have to have that laser procedure in the future.
I walked into my doctor’s office yesterday at 11:15 for a B-12 shot. The room was packed. I signed in, sat down, and no sooner had I sat than the nurse called my name. I was so grateful I was only there for a shot.
My retina specialist’s office has a sign on the rooms that if you are not called within 15 minutes of being signed in to report back to the desk. I must say I always try to get my appointments first thing in the afternoon so I am out, generally, in short order.
Since I’ve retired, I’ve tried to make it a point not to be in a hurry…although there are times.
“Now, was that so bad?!” :)
Waiting, these days, seem to drag on and on, especially if the waiting room is full to overflowing.
Very nice that the procedure went that quickly.
I’m always amazed that my wait is so long, but I take such a short amount of the doctor’s time when I finally get in. I guess I should be grateful it isn’t the other way around. Glad it all worked out so well for you.
Hi there kiddo glad your back on track!! Talk soon love sheila xoxo
Love you too, girlfriend. :-)
It’s the urologists that I find bad, and I must visit one tomorrow. It’s my suspicion that they practice “shotgun booking” that tends to exasperate me, but I am pretty well resigned to it now.
Beats the heck out of old magazines in the waiting room, doesn’t it?
Glad the procedure was routine and successful…
I love being a middle aged dweeb! Thanks for introducing me to Jann Arden.
So glad your visit turned out well. The whole story struck a chord since Ted is a technician for an ophthamalogist.
Wishing you a happy 2010 with minimal doctor appointments!
Glad that was so quick.
Those iPods are percolating in everywhere. I suppose jammers that could send an intercom signal thru when people are called is possible…wonder if that exists?
Woah, neat. Your blog has a version adapted for iPod. V cool, Col. Nice layout from here too.
++ smiles ++
Glad the eye procedure went so smoothly despite the looooong wait.
BTW, the shots my husband has gotten for his macular degeneration(wet) have worked a miracle and he is ( at least for now trouble free with fine vision). I am sorry these miracle shots(Lucentis) were not developed in time to help your Mom.
Buddy, who is growing like a weed, sends his love to Sadie and Coco.