Today's NaPoWriMo prompt asks participants to write an abecedarian poem.
I finally had the selective laser trabeculoplasty procedure done on my left eye today, so I wrote about the intense, out-of-proportion anxiety I had about the procedure. Since I have never had such a procedure before, mild anxiety would be par for the course. It is a brief, painless, minimally invasive procedure. The worst part of it was the lens that had to be placed over the eye so the ophthalmologist could see where to aim the laser. This isn't painful, but it is somewhat uncomfortable.
I'm one of the 75% of people for whom the procedure seems to have had a positive effect. For about 25% of people, there is no effect. The pressure in my left eye has been sitting at 25 for a little over a year. Even with drops, it wouldn't go lower. Today, after the procedure, it was down to 19. That's a big win. I plan to have the procedure done for my right eye.
So, why am I writing about this?
My medical anxiety has made my life extremely difficult at times. My ophthalmologist is very patient and understanding. Having someone who doesn't ridicule my fears makes a lot of difference.
I come from a generation where sneaking up on a kid and sticking them with a needle was par for the course, then scolding them if they cried. I've had far worse than that done to me by doctors. Trusting medical people does not come easy to me.
I'm saving today's April PAD Challenge prompt for tomorrow. I'm going to take it easy for the rest of the evening.
~Ornery Owl Has Spoken~
Okay, you caught me. This owl is obviously not ornery. But it sure is cute!
Some beautiful Caribbean-inspired music for your listening pleasure.
