Let the Butter Fly

The windows were closed because none of the guests were up and about yet, so I avoid letting in street noise through any window. Yet, I was sitting at the end of the kitchen table that has a clear view into the living room and the sofa by the window. Thanks to the laser eye surgery, I am able to see long distances quite clearly. However, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I saw a extended movement on the sofa. When I went to investigate, this is what I found.

 Not such a big deal as such until it opens its wings.

I have no idea how it flew 5 flights and managed to come in when the windows were open at some point. I do associate butterflies with my mother. She had a passion for them. When I see one like this, I think she is trying to tell me 'Hello'.

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Aye, I, Eye

 

I went for my month post surgery check-up today. Not only was I able to read the first screen of four lines, but I continued through the next three screens of progressively smaller letters. The doctor said I was at 100%, but in four weeks, I would be at 120% . It is astonishing to be able to see such distances that in the past I could not even imagine. The only issue is lights. Lights, especially indoors, have halos or at night look like star filters. She said that would clear also, it was normal. I have one more appointment before we leave on our trip and then not again for four months. 

One the way home, I ordered a new camera. I decided on the Pentax K-X after reading dozens of reviews. My current camera was top notch when I bought it, but now my mobile phone camera has more megapixels than the camera does. After contacting some former guests, who had great photos, the Pentax was the winner. After some hunting around, completely done by one of my students, I found a great deal. The camera body, an 18-55mm lens and an additional 50-200mm lens. Originally, I thought I wanted it in red to make it distinguishable, but later, I had second thoughts about a distinguishable camera when traveling. It is on order and will be in in under two weeks. Just enough time to play with it before leaving.

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Busy or Lazy?

When I don't get on here for some time, this antsy feeling comes over me. The problem is scheduling. Each semester, I try, I really try to space out my essay assignments, so that I am not piled under with papers to read at one time. If most Hungarian students understood the meaning of "Deadline" this would probably work out better than it does. Just as I think I am at the end of one classes group of essays, an e-mail comes in with a pleading note about why this paper is late. I would rather read the late paper than fail them, so I accept the paper. Then just as I finish one pile, it is time for the next class to dump another pile in my lap. From the middle of the semester to the end, it is one non-stop cycle. 

The difference this semester is having had the eye surgery. My one eye, the operated one can now see distance almost perfectly, but it is expected to continue to improve in the next few weeks. The other eye is great for short distances. What I need is a third eye for those in-between distances, like from seat to the computer monitor. I have had to correct papers by increasing the size to 150% or hunch over the computer table. I alternate between the two, because I really love my massage therapist and want him to feel needed when my back has had it from the hunch mode.

Other things have distracted me also. I decided that we, my Journalism students and I needed a web site. In a couple of hours, I created this one ELTE Journals. It was easy and fast, so I became carried away and created one for myself too, called what else, Dr. Ryan James. I did not have any special purpose for it, but thought it could not hurt to get my name out there more often. One never knows. With Goolge analytics in mind, I thought I should create a mirror site for the B and B. It is actually more than a mirror, since I can add content to it that there really is no room for on our regular site. Like our regular site, this is also called BudaBaB.

Speaking of Google, I was able to get us listed on Google maps. After registering, I had to wait for the confirmation postcard with the pin ID to arrive in the mail. It came to the day that they promised. Now, if someone types in BudaBaB into Google, they will get this map location. In addition, the list goes on for days, showing where we have been listed, guest reviews we were not even aware of, and other surprises. I love technology!

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Eye Can Almost See You

My first follow-up eye exam after the surgery yesterday was this morning. Again, I was examined by the computer and then by the doctor. She said it looks perfect. Eye drops five times a day for a week, four times a day next week, and so on until they are all gone and I will be fine. She did schedule me for another visit on Monday.

My vision is clearing. I am able to get around fine; there is still some blurriness, but that will clear up over time. The improvement thus far has been dramatic. I am sitting closer to the screen than usual, but that should improve too, according to the doctor. I do need to invest in 100% UV protection sunglasses and will have to wear them outside regardless of the weather for the next three months. Since we are going to be in Africa for a month, they will be good to have anyway.

Tomorrow, we will get a Swine flu vaccination, recommended by our local doctor and seconded by the Kenyan government. Our travel agent there said it would be good to have it listed on our medical cards. We may have to get Yellow Fever too, if our last one has expired.

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The Eyes Have It

Yesterday, I went for my eye surgery. I was not the least bit nervous until they gave me the release form to sign; that put me on edge a bit. However, after weeks of researching this surgery and hearing from others who had it, I felt more confident than if I had not prepared.

Once again, they did an eye exam with two of the three computerized machines that they had done the day before. The doctor did a  physical eye exam with the chart and various Rx lenses to read from, just as she had done the day before. 

I was send out to the waiting room and given a Xanax to keep me relaxed. This is standard operating procedure, if you will pardon the pun. 

After a half hour or waiting presumably for the pill to kick in, I was taken back to surgery. Given shoe coverings, a gown, and a cap to wear over my hair, I was ready. In the operating room, there was the surgeon, an electronic engineer for the laser, and an aid. The doctor explained the procedure again.

I had to relax on a cushioned table. The doctor put what seemed like a monocle in my right eye, but it must have been without an isert as the laser presses directly on the eyeball. There is an orange light and your eye is supposed to follow its movements, but toward then end, there is a bright white flash like a sun exploding. This took all of two minutes.

From here, I was taken to another table. They put a mask over my face, but the circular disk went back in my eye. A second laser went to work, creating colorful visions of old-fashioned tie dye t-shirt designs of red, blue, green, and yellow, continually changing the patterns as it went through its paces. Toward the end, the designs changed to something quite different. If you have ever put eye drips in your eye, as they are falling from the bottle, it looks like you can see the molecular structure of each drop. If you can picture this, in red and white, then blue and white, you will have an idea  of what I was seeing. This process took three minutes and it was all over. 

The doctor gave me instructions on how ot administer the two different eye drops prescribed. Two drops every hour until bedtime and then start again immediately after waking up. I could not sleep on my stomach or on the right side for fear of the pillow hitting my eye. 

When I came out, Dr. Simor was there to take me home again. Although I could see out of my left eye, without glasses or contacts, it was negligible. The right eye was quite blurry, which I was told before hand would be the case. It was like looking through thin milk glass, which is what I am guessing cataracts are like.

The instructions included taking a nap as soon as I made it home. You don't need to beat me over the head to take a nap. Two hours later, drops in, my vision was clearing, but still not enough to play cards with our guests.

There was no pain involved, but for the first four hours when awake, it felt like I had an eyelash under my eye. By evening, it was gone. 

This morning, my vision is clearer than last night, but it will take three weeks to three months for it to become the best it will be. Other than having to look at the computer screen a little closer than normal, less than 24 hours later, I am able to be functional without assistance. Today, I return for a follow-up check=up.

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IntraLasik Surgery

Initially, I had interviewed Dr. Randy Simor, a medical doctor who happens to be American-Hungarian, at his business MediTours Hungary, for my next Frommer's book. Medical tourism is growing at a rapid rate. I was impressed with him personally and his business, so decided to us his company for eye surgery. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time, but have now waited for the third generation of laser surgery to be widely used. 

Dr. Timor met me at the eye clinic today for my  eye evaluation where it was determined if I was eligible for IntraLasik eye surgery for corrective vision purposes. He stayed the entire time I was there to make sure all went well.

Because I am over 40 years old, I had three choices after they determined the health of my eyes.

1. I could have both down, giving me excellent distance vision, but still need reading glasses (This would not be true if I were younger.)
2. I can have one eye done with perfect distance vision and leave the other alone for reading. 
3. I can have the cornea lifted and have plastic lens implanted giving me perfect vision in both eyes.

The choice was clearer than the eye chart that I would take option 2. I have done a lot of reading about this surgery and have heard from a number of people who have had it done. They all have to wear reading glasses. With the point being to shed myself of contact lens and glasses, there is no reason not to try going for one eye for each distance and 'see' how it works out.  I always have the option of returning to have the other eye done at a later time.

My surgery is tomorrow at 2:30pm; Dr. Timor will again join me there. The surgery is supposed to take 15 minutes. I will be reporting back. 

MediTours does a big business with plastic surgery, dentistry, and of course eye surgery. Although his business does not do any of the procedures, it does contract for the best of the best in the field here, so a potential client does not have to hunt blindly. They also walk the client through the whole process, so language is never an issue. For dental and medical procedures, they have someone on call 24/7 and apartments where they can put you up.

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