A Bit of Everything!

By CommunityMember196

1 min read

I have had macular degeneration for 6 years and been treated with injections in both eyes for 5 of them.

A year ago I went completely blind with cataracts, they were remove the same year. I then was diagnosed with scoliosis, very painful and nothing to be done about it except painkillers. 20 years ago I stopped smoking as I had been diagnosed with COPD.

MD hardest condition to accept

Of all my ailments, MD is the most difficult to accept, not for myself but for my partner. Having lived without sight for six months because of cataracts, it no longer holds any fear for me, but my husband finds it hard to imagine how we can manage as he himself is not well.

It could be worse for me

For me life is good! I enjoy my garden and have just come back from a holiday in Devon, and we go to Canada to see our son in September. I never dwell on my ailments, it could all be worse, I could be dead!

I wake every day grateful to be alive, and to have my sight and am even more cheerful when the painkillers go down with a lovely cup of tea!

Do you live with multiple eye conditions?

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Sharon Moore Moderator
<inline-mention username="CommunityMember196" user-id="4706782"/> thank you for sharing your story with the community. You have an amazing attitude in spite of having several chronic conditions to manage. It can be hard for family members fearful about the future. How is your vision since having the cataracts removed? Warm wishes, Sharon Moore advocate 
1. CommunityMember196 Member
 <inline-mention username="Sharon Moore" user-id="3129425"/> My family don't worry about me, they have said that I will be too occupied to realize I am dead! Luckily I have yet to ask for help, and hopefully won't have to. The COPD is harder to cope with than the macular degeneration, but while one breathe follows another, however feebly, I can cope. I am so fortunate that I live in a time of good painkillers, so the scoliosis is manageable. I honestly don't worry about anything, just do as the day dictates and carry on carrying on!
2. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember196" user-id="4706782"/> I am glad you are able to live day to day without worrying. My sister has COPD as well as wet AMD both eyes. It is a lot to cope with. It’s good you have pain management medication available. Blessings, Sharon Moore advocate
Brown Eyed Girl Moderator
<inline-mention username="CommunityMember196" user-id="4706782"/> thank you for sharing more of your story. I will need cataract surgery in the future, and I'm just wondering why the doctor left it until you were completely blind before operating. That would have been scary. Was he worried about the effect on your macular degeneration? Wendy, Advocate.
CommunityMember196 Member
 The blindness came very quickly. My vision was almost totally impaired for months, reduced to just shapes through a thick white fog, but while I could function I didn't say anything. I had too much to do. I was abroad for several months, came home and within a couple of days was totally blind. not even shapes. I had an appointment for an injection and they realized that I couldn't see the board for the eye test so I was put on the waiting list for the removal of very thick cataracts .Just two weeks later I had both removed during the operation. The joy of having clear vision immediately after the operation was unimaginable. Don't be concerned about the surgery, it isn't even unpleasant, and the blindness wasn't scary as it isn't black, just a darn inconvenience. <inline-mention username="Brown Eyed Girl" user-id="3141081"/><inline-mention username="Brown Eyed Girl" user-id="3141081"/> 
1. CommunityMember196 Member
 <inline-mention username="Brown Eyed Girl" user-id="3141081"/> Honestly Wendy, there was no pain or even discomfort, so don't give it a thought! I will be off line for a few days, going to lay out a friends garden! I'm sure I will be fit and ready for Canada, I do so love it there. Had the opportunity to move there, but decided their long winters wouldn't suit me, I just enjoy to be outside and up to 30 below was too much to put up with for months on end. Also their health care is so expensive. We must really be grateful for our free treatments! Best wishes, Helen 
2. Brown Eyed Girl Moderator
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember196" user-id="4706782"/> thanks Helen. Enjoy the garden building, take care. Warm wishes, Wendy, Advocate.