Comments for Brian Stucki http://www.brianstucki.com/blog Living A Story To Tell Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:54:07 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Did I ever find a gem by Martin Pretorius http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/did-i-ever-find-a-gem/comment-page-1/#comment-126915 Martin Pretorius Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:54:07 +0000 /?p=12#comment-126915 I just got "The Collection" from Take2.co.za, in case anybody else is interested. Very surprised to find it there, in a really nice kind of way... And yes, this music is incredible. I also have owned and lost numerous copies over the years, and sadly I don't have the two original albums anymore. But as far as I can tell, it seems like most of the songs off the two albums are on The Collection anyways. Well worth acquiring while it's still available! I just got “The Collection” from Take2.co.za, in case anybody else is interested. Very surprised to find it there, in a really nice kind of way… And yes, this music is incredible.

I also have owned and lost numerous copies over the years, and sadly I don’t have the two original albums anymore. But as far as I can tell, it seems like most of the songs off the two albums are on The Collection anyways. Well worth acquiring while it’s still available!

]]> Comment on My PRK Surgery and Recovery by Kelly http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/comment-page-2/#comment-126914 Kelly Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:24:13 +0000 http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/#comment-126914 I'm back! I had my PRK surgery on Friday, as I mentioned in an earlier post. I literally kept my eyes closed from Friday until yesterday (Monday) afternoon. He said healing looked great- speedy. He said the fact that I kept my eyes closed so much probably helped with that. So if you can, keep those peepers closed as much as possible. They instructed me how to clean my eyelashes because they were quite gunky. I was on Ibuprofen and Lyrica, and then Percocet as needed. Also was doing Xibrom, Vigamox, and Omnipred drops along with refreshing drops. My vision before surgery was 20/400. After testing yesterday, one eye was 20/30 and the other was 20/25. Amazing. He told me to go ahead and take out my contact bandages myself today (since I use to wear contacts) and instructed me on the technique (pinch and swipe down, not just pull off), so I'll take those out later this afternoon. Since yesterday, I was taken off Lyrica, and I just take Ibuprofen and Percocet as needed (which I definitely needed this morning- lots of pain). Now I just have to do Omnipred 4x a day and refreshing drops at least every hour. Pain has ranged from burning sensation (kind of like you are stuck staring at the sun), to gravelly feelings, like something is in your eyes, to sometimes feeling like someone is pushing in on your eyes with their thumbs. As long as you are proactive with meds, however, most of it can be quickly taken care of. I'm still a bit nervous to drive, but he said I could do so if I wanted to. It's definitely been an amazing, albeit trying experience. I would certainly do it all over again, and my eyes are still a good deal blurry right now- although, a bit blurry still seems miles better than my crappy vision before the surgery. The surgery itself was easy and was very quick. The hardest part is not being able to see for a few days afterwards and dealing with a bit of pain, and drowsiness from the meds. For mine, they didn't patch my eyes afterwards or anything, just sunglasses and instructed to keep eyes closed. Slept with special "glasses" that had padding so that you didn't hit your eyes during sleep. I called these my "eye bumpers," lol. I wore swim goggles while I showered to keep water and soap from getting into my eyes. Hope that gives some more light on the post-op experience for PRK. I’m back! I had my PRK surgery on Friday, as I mentioned in an earlier post. I literally kept my eyes closed from Friday until yesterday (Monday) afternoon. He said healing looked great- speedy. He said the fact that I kept my eyes closed so much probably helped with that. So if you can, keep those peepers closed as much as possible. They instructed me how to clean my eyelashes because they were quite gunky. I was on Ibuprofen and Lyrica, and then Percocet as needed. Also was doing Xibrom, Vigamox, and Omnipred drops along with refreshing drops. My vision before surgery was 20/400. After testing yesterday, one eye was 20/30 and the other was 20/25. Amazing.

He told me to go ahead and take out my contact bandages myself today (since I use to wear contacts) and instructed me on the technique (pinch and swipe down, not just pull off), so I’ll take those out later this afternoon. Since yesterday, I was taken off Lyrica, and I just take Ibuprofen and Percocet as needed (which I definitely needed this morning- lots of pain). Now I just have to do Omnipred 4x a day and refreshing drops at least every hour. Pain has ranged from burning sensation (kind of like you are stuck staring at the sun), to gravelly feelings, like something is in your eyes, to sometimes feeling like someone is pushing in on your eyes with their thumbs. As long as you are proactive with meds, however, most of it can be quickly taken care of.

I’m still a bit nervous to drive, but he said I could do so if I wanted to. It’s definitely been an amazing, albeit trying experience. I would certainly do it all over again, and my eyes are still a good deal blurry right now- although, a bit blurry still seems miles better than my crappy vision before the surgery.

The surgery itself was easy and was very quick. The hardest part is not being able to see for a few days afterwards and dealing with a bit of pain, and drowsiness from the meds. For mine, they didn’t patch my eyes afterwards or anything, just sunglasses and instructed to keep eyes closed. Slept with special “glasses” that had padding so that you didn’t hit your eyes during sleep. I called these my “eye bumpers,” lol. I wore swim goggles while I showered to keep water and soap from getting into my eyes.

Hope that gives some more light on the post-op experience for PRK.

]]> Comment on My PRK Surgery and Recovery by LeAnne http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/comment-page-2/#comment-126911 LeAnne Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:34:52 +0000 http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/#comment-126911 I went for a Lasix evaluation yesterday and was told I would need PRK instead. I am scheduled for March 13th and will have monovision and custom something done. I have fibromyalgia and a low tolerance for pain, so am a bit worried about the healing procedure. This blog site is wonderful and gives me a range of different things to expect. I would rather be prepared for what could happen, than be surprised later. Brian's explanation of the surgery (sounds, smells, etc)will be of great comfort to know what is about to happen. I also feel the doctor's explanation of what is ahead is a bit downplayed! For the women who have had this done: At what time can you begin to wear eye makeup again? I don't want to sound vain, but I look much better with mascara than without:) I went for a Lasix evaluation yesterday and was told I would need PRK instead. I am scheduled for March 13th and will have monovision and custom something done. I have fibromyalgia and a low tolerance for pain, so am a bit worried about the healing procedure. This blog site is wonderful and gives me a range of different things to expect. I would rather be prepared for what could happen, than be surprised later. Brian’s explanation of the surgery (sounds, smells, etc)will be of great comfort to know what is about to happen. I also feel the doctor’s explanation of what is ahead is a bit downplayed! For the women who have had this done: At what time can you begin to wear eye makeup again? I don’t want to sound vain, but I look much better with mascara than without:)

]]> Comment on My PRK Surgery and Recovery by Kevin http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/comment-page-2/#comment-126910 Kevin Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:54:28 +0000 http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/#comment-126910 Tracy - Thanks for sharing... that's encouraging. There are plenty of moments when I wonder how much better my vision will get. My left eye has the most blurriness and double vision, but it happens in my right eye, too. In the bright light, it's better, but as soon as I walk in my office building it is far worse, then all day I sort of cope with it. I just tried Refresh Celluvisc gel drops to see if a little more lube helps. I think it helps a little, but issues are still there so it must come down to healing. I will continue to be patient and am uplifted by your story! Thanks so much. Also, I'm down to 2x day on FML and will be off of it in 3 weeks, just in time for a Florida vacation. Maybe there's hope that the ocean, Disney Castle and nighttime parade will be nice and clear?!!! Tracy – Thanks for sharing… that’s encouraging. There are plenty of moments when I wonder how much better my vision will get. My left eye has the most blurriness and double vision, but it happens in my right eye, too. In the bright light, it’s better, but as soon as I walk in my office building it is far worse, then all day I sort of cope with it. I just tried Refresh Celluvisc gel drops to see if a little more lube helps. I think it helps a little, but issues are still there so it must come down to healing. I will continue to be patient and am uplifted by your story! Thanks so much. Also, I’m down to 2x day on FML and will be off of it in 3 weeks, just in time for a Florida vacation. Maybe there’s hope that the ocean, Disney Castle and nighttime parade will be nice and clear?!!!

]]> Comment on My PRK Surgery and Recovery by Tracy http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/comment-page-2/#comment-126909 Tracy Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:11:14 +0000 http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/#comment-126909 Kevin - Yes, it was when I switched completely off the reduced steroid (a generic fluormetholone) drop that things became rapidly clearer faster and the double vision stopped within the week. At where you were it was about the worst for me, lots of stacked vision and my situation was very similar to those - I'd wake up really clear and then get worse through the day as my eyes got tired and I added steroid and refresh drops. Kevin

- Yes, it was when I switched completely off the reduced steroid (a generic fluormetholone) drop that things became rapidly clearer faster and the double vision stopped within the week.

At where you were it was about the worst for me, lots of stacked vision and my situation was very similar to those – I’d wake up really clear and then get worse through the day as my eyes got tired and I added steroid and refresh drops.

]]> Comment on My PRK Surgery and Recovery by Kevin http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/comment-page-2/#comment-126908 Kevin Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:02:17 +0000 http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/#comment-126908 Also - I should add that eyes are clear BEFORE compresses and lubricating drops, even though they make it more comfortable. Also – I should add that eyes are clear BEFORE compresses and lubricating drops, even though they make it more comfortable.

]]> Comment on My PRK Surgery and Recovery by Kevin http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/comment-page-2/#comment-126907 Kevin Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:20:04 +0000 http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/#comment-126907 Good morning... Here's a phenomenon that maybe someone can shed some light on. It is now morning. I woke up about 1/2 hour ago, put hot compresses on my eyes and lubricated them with Refresh Optive. I gave it five minutes or so and came out to the living room. Everything is mostly crystal clear in both eyes. I treasure this because I know within the next 1/2 hour it will get progressively worse. It'll still be ok until I get under those florescent work lights in the next two hours and I'll begin to go blurrier and by noon will be seeing those stacked letters. I'm one month post-op. Just curious... Is the great morning vision a sign of what's to come? Is that my actual refracted vision and a glimpse of it? If so... a good sign and encouraging. Why is it so good first thing in the morning? Good morning… Here’s a phenomenon that maybe someone can shed some light on. It is now morning. I woke up about 1/2 hour ago, put hot compresses on my eyes and lubricated them with Refresh Optive. I gave it five minutes or so and came out to the living room. Everything is mostly crystal clear in both eyes. I treasure this because I know within the next 1/2 hour it will get progressively worse. It’ll still be ok until I get under those florescent work lights in the next two hours and I’ll begin to go blurrier and by noon will be seeing those stacked letters. I’m one month post-op. Just curious… Is the great morning vision a sign of what’s to come? Is that my actual refracted vision and a glimpse of it? If so… a good sign and encouraging. Why is it so good first thing in the morning?

]]> Comment on My PRK Surgery and Recovery by Kevin http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/comment-page-2/#comment-126906 Kevin Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:37:04 +0000 http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/#comment-126906 Hi again... about steroid drops. I was on Pred Forte for the first week until the contacts came out. I was told it was the stronger of the steroid drops and I used them 4x/daily. Then, when the contacts came out they switched me to FML drops... another steroid I guess, which is used to prevent hazing. At my one month appointment the other day, the doctor saw no hazing and instructed me to reduce taking them from 4x daily to 2x daily and then in one month stop completely. That will put me at 7-8 weeks post op. Allan, I would ask about the steroids because it is very common for PRK patients and the doctors I've talked to are quite strict about taking them. TRACY, question for you... Was it when you discontinued "FML" that improvement came quicker? Just curious if that's the steroid you are referring to. I am still quite blurry with the stacked letter ghosting in my left eye. Right eye is clearer, but I still experience ghosting as the day goes on and my eyes get more tired. Doctor told me that there is still healing right over my pupils in both eyes, and more dominantly in the left. Today I'm 4 weeks post-op and I'm hoping for another milestone soon. My one-month chart read was anything but impressive. Doctor said she was relieved to see the healing issue over my pupils and made the comment that she was concerned that maybe there "numbers" weren't the best (for the laser) YIKES!!! But then she quickly backed it up by saying the healing over my pupils and fluctuating vision is a good explanation. I'm encouraged by the explanation, but like most PRK patients, I want to see it to believe it ... literally! Hi again… about steroid drops. I was on Pred Forte for the first week until the contacts came out. I was told it was the stronger of the steroid drops and I used them 4x/daily. Then, when the contacts came out they switched me to FML drops… another steroid I guess, which is used to prevent hazing. At my one month appointment the other day, the doctor saw no hazing and instructed me to reduce taking them from 4x daily to 2x daily and then in one month stop completely. That will put me at 7-8 weeks post op. Allan, I would ask about the steroids because it is very common for PRK patients and the doctors I’ve talked to are quite strict about taking them. TRACY, question for you… Was it when you discontinued “FML” that improvement came quicker? Just curious if that’s the steroid you are referring to. I am still quite blurry with the stacked letter ghosting in my left eye. Right eye is clearer, but I still experience ghosting as the day goes on and my eyes get more tired. Doctor told me that there is still healing right over my pupils in both eyes, and more dominantly in the left. Today I’m 4 weeks post-op and I’m hoping for another milestone soon. My one-month chart read was anything but impressive. Doctor said she was relieved to see the healing issue over my pupils and made the comment that she was concerned that maybe there “numbers” weren’t the best (for the laser) YIKES!!! But then she quickly backed it up by saying the healing over my pupils and fluctuating vision is a good explanation. I’m encouraged by the explanation, but like most PRK patients, I want to see it to believe it … literally!

]]> Comment on My PRK Surgery and Recovery by Jeff http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/comment-page-2/#comment-126905 Jeff Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:21:07 +0000 http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/#comment-126905 Had PRK last Thursday so one week has passed. Fully agree that the docs don't really do a great job in disclsoing recovery. After days 1 and 2 after surgery were fine, day 3 was awful. If I hadn't talked to folks who had gotten this procedure, I would have panicked. Can see noticable improvement each day and agree that two drops per hour is needed for good vision and discomfort control. Had PRK last Thursday so one week has passed. Fully agree that the docs don’t really do a great job in disclsoing recovery. After days 1 and 2 after surgery were fine, day 3 was awful. If I hadn’t talked to folks who had gotten this procedure, I would have panicked.

Can see noticable improvement each day and agree that two drops per hour is needed for good vision and discomfort control.

]]> Comment on My PRK Surgery and Recovery by Allan http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/comment-page-2/#comment-126904 Allan Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:08:46 +0000 http://www.brianstucki.com/blog/my-prk-surgery-and-recovery/#comment-126904 Oh, and a question for all you PRK paitents out there. I read a lot about people taking steroid drops after their surgery. I was only instructed to take the antibiotics for four days and then after that the only drops I've been taking are the refresh drops. Are the steroid drops only for certain cases? Or should I be taking them as well? It's been a week since my surgery. Maybe I should ask my surgeon... lol Thanks! Oh, and a question for all you PRK paitents out there. I read a lot about people taking steroid drops after their surgery. I was only instructed to take the antibiotics for four days and then after that the only drops I’ve been taking are the refresh drops. Are the steroid drops only for certain cases? Or should I be taking them as well? It’s been a week since my surgery. Maybe I should ask my surgeon… lol Thanks!

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