Debbi Bifulco Update

[Catflower]

Debbi:  I have a punctal plug and it does seem to help with the dryness.  I think part of our problem could be time spend in air conditioning.  As you know AC pulls the humidity from the air so it makes sense that it pulls moisture from our bodies as well.  Just my take on it.  Anyway, I don't use any heavy duty drops or ointment at night, but I do need to moisturize my right eye first thing in the morning.  It still doesn't cry tears and I'm 15 months post op.

Linda

[calimama]

Debbi that is great news. I asked my opthamologist last week (i think) about the blinkeze weight and she knew nothing of these. I am hoping that the next opth. i see (end of July) can help. In the end though, i still have the double vision though... ug.

Look forward to hearing how these work for you.

Glad to find you in great spirits (as you generally are) and doing well. Good work.

Trish

[leapyrtwins]

Debbi -

congrats on the Blinkeze - hope it helps 

I concur with Jim on the fatigue issue; in my experience, his post is right on target.

Jan

[wendysig]

Hi Debbi-
I'm back from Florida! We had a great time but  I haven't been  online since I left my brother's house last Wednesday and apparently have missed a lot! I will do my best to catch up on everyone by tomorrow since we are going out soon.  Congrats on the new opthamplogist and that you will soon become the proud owner of Blinkeze!  I really hope they do the trick for you!!! It's wonderful when you find a doc who knows his/her  business!!   Love your new hairdo and envy you your balance on that ball.  I would have bee on my rear end in about 10 seconds.  Dr. Roland should be proud  of himself for his  shaving prowess!!  I've seen how much hair some people lose for this surgery.  I've actually been wondering if I should bring a scarf or loose fitting hat with me.  I'll ask Dr. Choe when I see him on Friday, but what do you think?  He says I'll  probably get to wash my hair in the hospital before I go home -- I feel very excited and a little scared about this at the same time, I'm sure it won't be pleasant, but  it will be great to have clean hair.  Tell me what you think!

Wendy

[cmp]

Glad you are going to be able to get the Blinkeze so quickly, Debbi--that's just grand! I hope it makes a HUGE difference in your eye comfort level.

As far as the other 2 treatment options you mention in your post--the punctal plug is temporary, but I'm surgical lift sure doesn't sound that way... (I'm thinking you probably want to limit yourself to temporary measures at this point, since the prognosis for your facial nerve is so good?) The punctal plug wouldn't stay in my eye (and I was looking for a permanent fix by then), so I got the duct cauterized for good, but your eye may be more cooperative!

Carrie

[Debbi]

Hey, Wendy! Welcome home!  Yes, bring a scarf to the hospital.  One of my friends brought me a scarf (I never thought of it myself) and it was such a big blessing to cover my head on the way home.  It will be a plus if you get to wash your hair, but just in case...  A nice scarf can do wonders!

Carrie, thanks for the feecback on the punctal plug.  I agree with you that the surgical eye lift seems like too much right now - I'd like to see if this will resolve in time.  I've been doing some reading on the punctal plugs and am fomulating a list of questions - one of which is what type of plug he uses.  Apparently there are some now that are almost gel-like and mold better to the individual tear duct, reduing the "ejection" rate.  Much to learn.  First, though, I'll see how the Blinkeze works ... 

Jan, I can't wait to hear tales of NY and NJ!

Jim, sending lots of good vibes and prayers your way for the Friday MRI.  Will look for your post Friday...

[leapyrtwins]

Wendy -

when is your surgery?

Also, I vote no scarf or hat, but that's just me 

Do bring sunglasses for the ride home though.

Jan

[wendysig]

Hi Jan,
My surgery is Friday, July 25.  So far I am feeling very calm and confident about it.  I've asked everyone -- first Dr. Choe, then people in the Cyberknife support group and now all of you so many questions I really feel very well informed and ready to do this thing. This feeling kind of surprised me to tell you the truth but I guess it's just my way of accepting the inevitable.  The mind is a wonderful thing sometimes.   Now I'll see if this feeling lasts up to next Friday, hopefully it will.  Thanks for the input on the scarf idea and the sunglasses.  That was something I hadn't thought of.

Debbi - Thanks to you too.  I have mixed feelings about washing my hair in the hospital, as I said in my last post, but I had a feeling that whatever happens a scarf just might be a good idea.  Now I'll have to go look for one before next Friday since I haven't worn one in years.

Lookiing forward to Saturday!
Wendy

P.S.  I will take pictures of the lucky bunny slippers in hospital but I'm not sure they would make the trip into NYC and survive.  I thought they were 20 yeras old (they've gone through the wash a few hundred times I think but still look pretty good considering their age and clearning history) but realized they mush be even older than that.  Rob got them for me before  we were married and our 23rd anniversary is coming up soon,  I'd bring them with me and wear them in the restaurant, but with my luck I'd lose them.  I wouldn't want to do that just before my surgery.  I need all the good luck I can get right now.  I guess I'll just have to sit down and leran how to post pictures once and for all.

[Debbi]

Hi all-

Wendy, so glad you are feeling calm and serene.  THe last few days before surgery, I also felt a strange calmness.  Like you, I believe it came from having had my questions answered, and from feeling at peace wiht my decision.  You may still get the odd racy-heart feeling between now and then, though!

Hey, how about if I wash my "Lucky AN Scarf" and will it to you?  I could bring it Saturday. (REally, I'm serious.)  It's the quazi-animal print that is featured in some of my early blog pics - looks good on everyone!  Since Steve is slow with the hat-knitting, maybe this can be my contribution!

Hey, Wendy, do you have a scribe?  Is Rob up to the job? 

Well, as for me, I am holding my breath and hoping the Blinkeze arrive tomorrow... 

I've had some weird movements in my chin, which I sincerely hope aren't early signs of synkenises.  I've been on the bells palsy website trying to read up more on that.  ugh.

Debbi

[Tamara]

Sorry to hijack, Debbi -
 
Wendy - there's a thread from a while back on what to bring to the hospital.  I found it very useful!  In addition, I would suggest bringing a vibrator massager (like the kind you can get at our local Walgreen's).  My neck was quite sore after surgery (a common occurrence, from what I've read here) and it was very nice to use and helped a lot. 

We'll all be cheering you on!
Tammy

[wendysig]

Hi Debbi -
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that the Blinkeze come in today.  They sound like  a great invention (I hope I won't need them though) and hope they do the trick for you.  I also hope the weird movements in your chin turn out to be more returned facial movement instead of anything else.  If you're sure you want to lend me your scarf that would be great - a kind of passing the torch thing!

Tammy - Thanks for the advice on the massagier -- I'll pick one up. I read about people having neck pain after surgery too -- every little bit helps   I saw that list too and have started getting things I think will come in handy or that I will really need in the hospital.    How are you feeling?  I haven't had time to catch up on how everyone is doing yet since I got back from vacation on Wednesday.

Debbi -
See you Saturday -- it should be great!!

Wendy

[Debbi]

Tammy, no problem, and great advice - that was a great list!  Hey, how are you doing?  How are your Blinkeze working? 

Wendy, one scarf, coming your way on Saturday.  Of course, you have to promise pictures from the hospital - and we arent' just talking slippers here!!   

Hey, I have a new, very tiny movement at the side of my nose!!    It is so faint that I have to really concentrate to see it at all - kind of like the first mouth corner movement.  I was feeling kind of discouraged last night, but now I am motivated again.  I have been practicing in front of my hand mirror, trying to isolate the really small movements.  Wow, talk about testing my patience!  I am an "instant gratification" kind of gal, so this stuff is really challenging for me personally.  However, I have made the decision to make it my missioin to be more patient - that is part of what I will gain from this experience. 

Debbi, practicing my patience...

[Syl]

Debbie,

That part about patience is a tough one, isn't it? But it's amazing how such a tiny improvement in our condition can make us so happy and lift our spirits. I'm happy that you have more movement at the side of your nose.

Syl, also practicing patience

[Jim Scott]

Debbi:

Congratulations on a new sign of movement.  Small as it may be, this is  progress and your elation is quite justified.  I hope there is a lot more to come in the very near future.   With AN recovery issues, patience isn't simply a virtue, it's a necessity.

Jim

[Debbi]

Thanks, Jim and Syl, for the encouraging words and support.  Yep, this patience thing is probably long overdue in my life.  Not easy to acquire, though, and I do wish I had come up with a less drastic way to develop it! 

Okay, so I went and got my new Blinkeze about a half hour ago!  Yippee!! Here's a picture:



It is too soon to tell if it will slide down my eyelid, or off my face or anything.  Right now, it just feels a little weird, but I am able to blink which is pretty darned cool.  I don't seem to be able to close that eye fully by itself, but if I close the good eye and really concentrate, I can close the AN eye.  Major progress!!  I'll keep you all posted!

Debbi, blinking!!!!!!