Things have been rather busy here in my corner of the world. I guess I'm in a slightly whirling dervish mode since it's the end of the summer and I've had so many jobs I put off due to Covid 19.
On Friday I went for my annual eye check up albeit a half year later than I should have. Actually I had an appointment scheduled for 6 months ago. However I postponed it and requested that they give me an appointment with the eye specialist who did my surgery. Not the back up eye doctor who has been seeing me the last two times. They called again to make a new appointment for me but it was still with the back up doctor.
I relented and went for the check up because I really must stay on top of things. But I told the front desk staff that next time I really would like to be booked in with my original eye specialist. She is the reason I started going to that office in the first place and she is the one who did my eye surgery about 3 - 4 years ago. They understood my frustration but told me that my doctor has been cutting back on her hours and they couldn't promise that they could make it happen. Now it causes me to wonder if the young doctor is already burned out. Eye specialists here seem super busy. Too busy to sustain their demanding schedules. I heard a few years ago that due to Canada's aging population the eye specialists would become even more busy. I wonder what my future holds in this office. Since I first started going to the office they have added 3 new specialists.
For the time being the back up doctor told me there is no diabetes related damage to my eyes, my vision is okay and he confirmed that I have dry eyes as per my observation.
The doctor confirmed that my right eye is in fact the drier of the two. I am still using eye drops every day but I don't use them as often as directed on the box. Eye drops are so expensive and they are non prescription eye drops so the cost adds up; especially when the drops only come in 10 ml sizes. I forgot to ask the doctor if the dry eyes might partially be caused by the air blowing through the top of my CPAP mask. It doesn't always leak but sometimes when I move around during sleep, the mask goes out of alignment.
Of course when ones eyes are dry, the vision is also reduced.
I finally got my paperwork in for the new CPAP machine and after my eye appointment I went to the Sleep Clinic to see what models of CPAP machines are available. My current
machine is well over 5 years old and it's time for a new one. I submitted the paperwork a few weeks ago after many
delays on my part due to needing to get doctor's signature and input. I haven't been getting much done from March to August due to the coronavirus and wanting to stay safe. The paperwork was ultimately
submitted a week before last, but I've learned from the supplier that the
insurer says it didn't receive the paperwork. It needed to be submitted again
and so there is a delay. They were very apologetic but I wasn't upset. They can't help it if the insurer lost papers even though the paperwork is faxed, not mailed. Once the insurer makes a decision it will be easy for me to decide which machine I would like now that I've been to the Sleep Clinic.
After I finished at the Sleep Clinic I stopped at Michael's craft store and the medical supply store. I didn't buy much at Michael's. I'm trying not to buy any more yarn and most items there will simply add to clutter. At the medical supply store, I was there to see what was available in terms of what the arthritis physiotherapist recommended I use to help me manage with arthritis. I dealt with a very nice young woman at the medical supply and we have arranged for the new items to be delivered on Tuesday night.
Just before the pandemic was announced I had been to see the surgeon
about getting knee surgery. He told me I was not a candidate and gave me
several reasons, one of them being that I'm too young! I was not a happy
camper but in the end I have to accept what he says. He did say that eventually I
will need surgery. So in the meantime, that is why the physiotherapist suggested some aids to use. I requested, and received a doctor prescription back in early January. I just hadn't had time to
follow up on getting these things. I wanted to look at them in person and not simply ask for them over the phone.
By the time I finished at the medical supply store I was super tired and super hungry. I stopped for some Japanese food. This is the first time I've eaten in a real restaurant since February and the food was very delicious. Not to mention the added bonus of not having to cook or do dishes.
After that I stopped at one more large pharmacy and browsed around looking at many different things. They sell all kinds of electronic items and household items not just vitamins and drugs. In the end I purchased a pair of head phones with microphone for use with my desktop and laptop. I didn't want a wireless headset. I've already got two of those and frankly I do not like them at all. Unfortunately, the corded ones seem to have standard length cords which are not quite long enough to use with my desk and computer set up. I had to move some things around so I can use the headphones. If it isn't one thing it is always another.
Last time I posted here I mentioned that my garden was on it's last legs.
Today I was pleasantly surprised to see it is still going. So I took a little time to water and cut some dead leaves. Perhaps it will revive a bit and hold for another few weeks.
In the coming days I am hoping to complete 2-3 more appointments and several more errands and outside tasks in addition to the usual grocery shopping. Once these are done I plan on retreating once again and isolating. When I go out and about I wear a mask everywhere and pretty much everyone else is too and most people are keeping an appropriate distance. Around the house I'm hoping to try out the Fly Lady System (system for keeping the house clean and decluttered). I tried it once before but couldn't get into it. I'm going to give it another try and take the Baby Steps approach. Of course, I know how to declutter and clean already but the thing that has gotten away from me as my health has changed over the years is keeping everything operating smoothly and preventing a pile up of clutter or cleaning. The Fly Lady has a system that so many women absolutely love. Do any of you use the Fly Lady System? If so, what do you think of it and how has it worked or not worked for you?
So far I do not know anyone here at home who has contracted the virus but one young friend in Kenya and members of his extended family were tested a few days ago. His young nephew (about 10 years old) has tested positive. Next his young niece and a few others in the family are to be tested. Keep them in prayer. There is a lot going on in Kenya amongst the people I know. Many are dealing with land issues and family tensions. These are difficult times. I do not want to say more about it here but only to ask for prayer for all these situations and the continuing material needs and medical needs.
Thanks for stopping by. As always I enjoy reading your comments and visiting your blogs. Stay safe.
