My eyesight has gotten worse

FRIENDS

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I POSTED.  THINGS HAVE BEEN RATHER HECTIC FOR ME.   I HAVE HAD SOME SETBACKS IN THE PAST YEAR. BACK IN APRIL 2013 THE DOCTORS HAD TO OPERATE ON MY LEGS AGAIN.  THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE INTIAL AMPUTATIONS.  I HAD DEVELOPED AN INFECTION IN MY STUMPS THAT WASN'T HEALING DESPITE WHAT THE DOCTORS TRIED.  THEY WOUND UP AMPUTATING BOTH MY LEGS about FIVE OR SIX INCHES HIGHER ON MY LEGS.  WHEN THEY WERE DONE MY STUMPS ARE ONLY FOUR OR FIVE INCHES LONG.  DESPITE THIS THEY BOTH HAVE HEALED WELL WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. THIS HAS PRETTY MUCH PUT ME IN MY WHEELCHAIR ALL THE TIME.  I HAVE PAIN IN MY STUMPS STILL IF I TRY TO HOBBLE AROUND THE HOUSE ON MY SHORTS CRUTCHES.  DOC SAID IN TIME THEY WILL TOUGHEN UP SO I CAN USE THE CRUTCHES AGAIN.  I GOT A NEW WHEELCHAIR THIS SUMMER, AN ELECTRIC ONE.  IT MAKES GOING OUT MUCH EASIER. MY EYES HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY BETTER AT ALL.   IV'E BEEN OFFICALLY DECLARED LEGALLY BLIND BY MY DOCTOR IN JULY.  MY VISION HADN'T SEEM TO GET THAT MUCH WORSE, BUT THE EYE DOCTOR SAID THEY HAD CROSSED THE THRESHHOLD THAT THE GOVERNMENT SETS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITIES ACT.  THE DOCTOR TOLD ME THAT IF I WAS ABLE TO WALK I WOULD MOST CERTAINALY NEED A WHITE CANE TO HELP ME GET AROUND.  I STILL HAVE PRETTY GOOD VISION IN MY RIGHT EYE 20/160 AND PRETTY CLEAR, BUT MY FIELD OF VISION HAS NARROWED FROM WHERE IT WAS SIX MONTHS AGO.  I HAVEN'T HAD MUCH FOR VISION IN MY LEFT EYE FOR QUITE A WHILE IT'S 20/260 AND BLURRY. WITH MY COKE BOTTLE GLASSES I CAN STILL SEE WELL ENOUGH TO TYPE IF THE FONT IS LARGE ENOUGH, ALTHOUGH I HAD MY HUSBAND TYPE THIS FOR ME AS I WAS MAKING TO MANY MISTAKES. THE DOCTOR IS WATCHING MY VISION CLOSLY.  HE SAYS IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE IN TIME AND I COULD BE PRETTY MUCH TOTALLY BLIND WITHIN A YEAR .  THIS HAS NOT MADE ME VERY HAPPY AT ALL.  IT'S HARD ENOUGH GETTING AROUND NOW, BUT IF I LOSE THE VISION I HAVE NOW I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT I'D DO. HOPEFULLY IT WON'T COME TO THAT.

LINDA

My son in trying to be helpful to me and my vision problems came over yesterday with what he said was a present, but said it was something I truly needed but really wouldn't want.  At least not need to use it. What he brought me was a collapsable white cane about five feet long.  He said he was tired of me bumping into things all the time, especially when we go out of the house, which I do quite often.  His caring in looking out for me I appreciated, but like he said I didn't really like the present for what it means.  The fact that I can't see very well at all anymore. I havent figured out how to use it much yet.  Its a totally different prospective using it while sitting in my wheelchair. I suppose I'll learn in time.  What choice do I have.  The first thing I used it for was to smack my son with it as he was being a bit of a smark alec in what he was saying.  He's young and I guess he doesn't always put is brain in gear before he speaks. Any ways I do appriciate him bring me the cane.  Wish me luck in learning to use this thing.  My husband said there was a blind society place iin town that could probably help. I/m going to check it out soon. Pardon my spellig errors.  Its hard to type much when you cant see well

Linda

ITS FINALLY OFFICIAL.   THE GREAT STATE OF MINNESOTA WHERE I LIVE SENT ME A LETTER WHICH I RECEIVED TODAY OFFICIALLY REVOKING MY DRIVERS LICENCE DO TO MY VISION PROBLEMS.  NOT THAT IT MATTERS.  I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IN MORE THAN THREE YEARS, AND THAT WAS JUST TO THE DOCTORS A COUPLE MILES AWAY.  I COULD STILL SEE WELL ENOUGH AT THAT TIME TO DRIVE AND ACTUALLY PASSED MY VISION TEST FOR MY LICENCE about TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO. IT'S BEEN STEADILY DOWN HILL SINCE THEN THOUGH.  IT SEEMS THAT WHEN DOCTORS DECALRE YOU LEGALLY BLIND THEY SEND SOME FORM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES WHICH ISSUES YOUR DRIVER LICENCE. THEN IN KEEPING WITH THERE LAWS YOUR DRIVING PRIVILLAGES ARE REVOKED UNTIL YOU CAN RETEST AND PROVE TO THEM YOU CAN STILL SEE WELL ENOUGH TO DRIVE. IN MY CASE THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.  I WILL VIST THE DMV SOON AND TURN IN MY LICENSE AND GET A STATE ISSUED ID CARD.  THIS IS JUST ANOTHER NAIL IN THE COFFIN I GUESS. 

ON A BRIGHTER NOTE I ENROLLED IN A CLASS TO LEARN HOW TO BETTER USE THAT WHITE CANE MY SON GOT FOR ME.  IT HAS HELPED ME IN GETTING AROUND WHEN IM OUT IN THE EVENING WHERE I DONT SEE MUCH AT ALL. I HAVE TO ADMIT I HAVENT BEEN ROLLING INTO SO MANY THINGS AS I USED TO, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT OR WHERE THE LIGHTING IS POOR.  WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I WENT OUT TO EAT OR TO CHURCH I WOULD QUITE OFTEN BUMP INTO PEOPLE OR OTHER THINGS.  ONCE I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A CAR IN A PARKING LOT AT NIGHT AS I JUST DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THAT CLOSE TO MY WHEELCHAIR.  MY HUSBAND HAD A SMALL BLINKING AMBER LIGHT PUT ON MY WHEELCHAIR AFTER THAT SO PEOPLE CAN SEE ME COMING EVEN IF I DIDNT SEE THEM VERY WELL.  I TRIED TYPING THIS EARLIER, TOO MANY ERRORS TO SEND.  MY HUSBAND RETYPED IT FOR ME WHEN HE GOT HOME.  I DONT KNOW WHAT ID DO WITH OUT HIM.

LINDA

Happy about the cataract removal and that your vision in that eye is now better...sorry about the removal of your left eye...but I'm glad for you that the eye is no longer hurting you. 

I am sending healing thoughts your way...I hope you will continue to keep us informed...

Take care,

Joni