keeping an eye on the prize

Earlier this week a form came through the post from my local hospital. Regarding my upcoming appointment at the eye clinic for them to treat my cataracts, it was asking me if I was still alive, and if so, did I still want my appointment? If yes, I should tick the box marked "yes" and return ASAP. The form carried a dire warning about failing to complete the form resulting in my being placed back at the bottom of the waiting list. As you might imagine, the form was completed and posted back within minutes of its arrival.

I was originally referred in May, and I was expecting a wait of around 28 weeks. However, when I could see that my eyes were continuing to deteriorate, and that I was in danger of failing the DVLA criteria for driving, namely reading a number plate at 20 metres, I felt I had to do something, and returned to the optician who had referred me in the first instance. He inspected the peepers once again and pronounced he could see the cataracts opacifying almost as he was watching and duly sent a further letter requesting expedition of my appointment. As an aside, he casually let drop the fact that he though I had a degree of "Fuch's Dystrophy" in the left (the more affected) eye. This is a defect of the corneal endothelium, the cells of which act as a kind of filter pump, keeping the pressure in the aqueous humour constant. If they fail, fluid builds up in the aqueous, disturbing the vision. And a cataract procedure can sometimes make it worse... Normally the chances of a cataract operation going wrong are around 1%. With Fuch's dystrophy, however, the risk increases to about 5%. Oh, great, I thought. I guess I can only hope that the odds of random chance acting my favour turns out to be a little better than my experience in the casino of 2 weeks ago. Please God, just this once, can you cut me a break here?

It would be nice to have them fixed (successfully, preferably) by the time we go to Milan in mid November for 3 days of culture and general diversion in Italy's most sophisticated city. Already my teeth are progressing nicely. On Thursday I had the crowns fitted to the implants on my right and left upper 2s. And with temporary veneers fitted to the upper teeth, I now have a prettier smile than I have been able to sport for over 30 years. Then all that will remain is for the 3 crowns to be fitted to the implants on my upper right jaw. These aren't for beauty, you understand: these will enable me to eat on the right side for the first time in 4 years. And that's going to be a great feeling...