Saturday, January 23, 2010

Eye doctor, puff this!

There are things I don't like doing: cleaning the bathrooms, riding roller coasters, to name two. However, I would rather have another c-section, abdominal surgery than go to the eye doctor. I draw the line, however, at having a NG tube removed or the kidney stones (another day, another nightmare, another post).

I needed to go to the eye doctor as it had been two years, my 12 month prescription of contacts was a bit past its prime and I was certain I needed an update! The problem, though, is that I hate going to the eye doctor. I cannot.do. the puff test. Who cares if I have glaucoma? I mean, yes it is terrible, but I am willing to take my chances.

The last time I was at the eye doctor, preparing myself for the puff test - crying, cursing and begging later we just skipped that part. Well and good.

However, I decided in my infinite wisdom that I would find a new eye doctor one closer to my house. It was no small feat trying to find a place that took my insurance. Finally, I scored. Dr. G. was the lucky winner. After going round and round about my insurance or lack their of (apparently my name never got changed after I married 7 years ago) we had an appointment set. I decided at that time to explain that I would not be doing the puff test. Nice receptionist said she would tell the doctor. Nice receptionist called back and said that was fine, as long I as I would allow them to dilate my eyes. Nope. I told, now less than nice receptionist, that I would not be doing that either. We hung up. She called back. No go. The doctor has some type of ethical issue and won't see me if I won't do those things. Well, umph.

I can wear these contacts for another year OR as my husband just suggested go back to the old place. The ideas this man has. . .

Never the one to give up on making sure I have contacts at my disposal I made one more phone call. However, this time I volunteered no information.

I might mention that my husband had recently been to the eye doctor (his first appointment in over 20 years! & last) and they had a new device that takes a picture of your eye BUT it is really freaky and costs extra. When he said it was freaky, that was good enough for me. Not.going.to.happen.

10:30 am, this past Monday, I met my Waterloo. I filled-out the forms. Declined the dilation. Check. Declined the freaky picture thing. Check. The nice technician took me back and asked how I was. Don't ask if you don't want to know. I told her about my issue to puff.

Well, is that all it took? The nice lady said, "we don't do that here." I was amazed. She said that the doctor had another machine and she would just look in my eye. All the choirs of angels sang together!!! Whoo-hoo.

R-E-L-I-E-F!

The doctor came in. We talked, she said the technician had told her I was scared and that everything was fine. We wouldn't be doing anything like that. Great.

Eyes checked. Subscription checked. We are good.

Then it happened. The doctor, quick as fire, comes up next to me with an eyedropper (what was she thinking) and says just to lean back. As if.

I ask her what she is doing and she says that she has numbing drops. Cue the tears, heavy breathing and hand on chest. She stands there. Watching.

A good 30 seconds later I have a moment of clarity. Why do you need to numb my eye. She replied, "I am going to use that probe . . ." I haven't a clue what she said next b/c I heard: eye, numb, probe. Nuff said.

Not.friggin'.happening.

After about 2 or 20 minutes of crying she said, "I will just markdown declined by patient." I said, "you do that."

I have new contacts. At the end of the day, that's all that matters.

Funny things Fin shared over Christmas

One of the traditions we have is that at Thanksgiving & Christmas, after dinner, we share/answer different questions/thoughts. Finley's question was: "We are fortunate. What would you give to a less fortunate child during this season of giving?" Finley answered, "Pierce." Her brother. Great.

We read the traditional Christmas Story, every year. This year, when I got to the part where they laid Jesus in the manger, I asked Finley what was in the manger and she said, "the partridge." Great. We are getting our Christmas stories mixed.

It is probably no coincidence that Baby Jesus is MIA from the veggie-tale nativity scene. I'm just saying. We have three nativities but this particular one seems to always be a player or two short.