Eye Surgery

We just returned from Portland where Curt's surgery went well. We met with Dr. Gannon on Monday afternoon and then went to Pre-Admissions. We learned Dr. Gannon is spending his last year as a Fellow under Dr. Wax. We then did a little shopping before going to Angie and Jef's. Tuesday morning we were supposed to be there at 9 with surgery planned at 11. Angie met us there. Curt didn't get called back for preparation until about 10:45 and didn't leave for surgery until about 1:15. Drs. Wax and Gannon were delayed because an earlier surgery took longer than they thought. We were able to stay with Curt while he was waiting. When the anesthesists came to get him, they gave him a shot and Curt doesn't remember much after that. We saw Dr. Wax after 2 as he was leaving the surgery. I think he was at the surgery to supervise and left the "cleaning up" to the other doctors (Gannon and residents, etc.). Dr. Wax said they really pulled up his lower lid, but it would eventually sag again. If this procedure does not work, they will put a piece of cartilidge under the lower lid. He wants to see Curt again next Tuesday. We leave the next day for Arizona and will be staying at Bakers' again Tuesday night. Dr. Gannon thought they would not need to see Curt again until his appointments with Drs. Wax and Gross on March 3. Dr. Gannon also said the one eye drop we were using was more for allergies and said to just use Artificial Tears. So far Curt hasn't needed any drops. I think he has 2 sets of stitches. One is underneath the skin and the other is on the skin on the corner of eye. We are to use Bacitracin on the stitches for about 3 days to help with the healing. They are disolvable stitches. He is not supposed to lift heavy things and generally take it easy for a few days. However, it is hard to hold him down. He was able to leave OHSU about 4 PM. I drove up and they brought him down in a wheelchair. He was able to walk though. He slept a little when we got back to Bakers' and then had some Cream of Rice cereal. His biggest complaint about this surgery is that they stuck a breathing tube down his throat and that has irritated his tongue some more. So he is back to liquids or very soft food again. He had been chewing a little more before this. He felt good enough that night for Angie and I to "let" him and Jef beat us at bridge (quite soundly). I drove home this morning and we stopped for a little shopping in Albany on the way. Finally, after just a few days, the exercises suggested by the therapist in Corvallis has helped reduce the restriction on his left shoulder.