That was my reaction upon learning I had cataract issues.
Back in 2012 during my first visit to the Florida Eye
Institute I was warned this giant floater would someday come apart, and when it
did, the retina in that eye was liable to come unattached. This has been my
worry ever since without any thought to cataracts.
Now I must have cataract surgery I can barely afford. (No
Insurance & ineligible for Medicare.) The alternative is going blind!!!
Between this hurricane season, the expense of my upcoming
surgery, and this insane Trump presidency; I haven't been able to sleep!
Usually, I get up and watch a movie on my DVR. Often these late night movies are the ones
that stand out most in my mind. But not anymore! These nights I can't even
concentrate enough to follow a plot, not to mention my TV screen is getting
ever more blurry.
A friend told me that cataract surgery is a right of passage
as we age. -- Then how come old people in centuries past weren't all blind? Sure
their life spans were shorter, yet many who survived into dotage managed to
hang on to at least most of their sight. Guess it's all in the genes.
I was required to take a physical exam before any surgery
could be performed, one more added expense!!! Personally, I think if I can walk
thru the door under my own power I'm fit for the procedure, but they disagreed.
Geez, now I had to find a walk-in clinic! With my waning vision I was almost
scared to drive. I couldn't see road signs until I was right on top of them!
I had no problems with familiar places, but having to locate
an unknown address in busy traffic added to my nightmares!
Fortunately, after my eyes were measured for surgery the
Institute recommended a clinic close to them that was easy to find. And when I
showed up to schedule an exam they did it right away! Also the Eye Institute
has a shuttle that will pick me up and bring me home. My right eye is the worst
and will be first.
Now I can stop practicing saying and pronouncing, "Hola
& donde esta el bano?" since both surgeries will be performed here in
Vero Beach. And with the recent earthquakes in Mexico this probably is for the
best. Just imagine being in the middle of eye surgery (or any surgery) when an
earthquake strikes! Now that is anxiety inducing!!!
This is a simple outpatient procedure. I'm far more stressed
and tearing my hair out over the COST, not the surgery!
November 1, the post Halloween horror arrives, my property
taxes are due. UGH!!! Mine are close to $2000! I think that amount is crazy for
the place I have!
I just hope we don't get hit with anymore hurricanes in the
near future. With my high hurricane deductible it would be at least 2020 before
I could afford any repairs to my home!
I may come to regret not expatriating to the Third World.
However I didn't find it to be the retiree paradise all the international
publications claimed. What I have here, even with my limited funds and
hurricanes, is more of a paradise!
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