OzSTOC
General Category => Members Health & Wellbeing => Topic started by: Kev Murphy on April 03, 2023, 01:48:41 PM
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Just returned from the Doctor. I have been shot down in flames by his diagnosis.
First of all, my vision is so bad that I have to hand in my license am am not allowed to ride or drive any more.
I am having difficulty with mobility, and have to use a walking stick to get around. I take delivery of a walking frame later this week, because I am not allowed to use motorised transport, so it now looks as tho I am restricted to local foot travel only. Life is not good.
I have to cancel my attendance at the AGM this year, as it is a bit far to push a walking frame.
Such is life.
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Sad to hear Kev but I guess it is going to eventually happen to all of us
Stay positive mate and enjoy Life the best you can some people don’t get to spend as much time as you have touring all over Australia.
In your 75 years I bet you have seen quite a lot of our wonderful country “Australia “
Some people don’t even get out of the town or State they live
Just think of it as a positive what you have done, now you will just have to relay on other means to get around
Friends busses planes taxi or Ubers
And you have all your mates at OzSTOC just cherish your memories of your time on your ST1100
Remember we are only a phone call away if you want a chat
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Thanks Leo. That old song 'I've been everywhere, man' has nothing on the places I have been and seen in my lifetime.
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Sorry to hear that Kev. The old Date of Birth strikes again.
What about one of those electric mobility scooters?
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Not allowed to use them because of poor eyesight, Steveo
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There are a few driven/ridden around my area that have very little sight by the driver/rider. As they are not registered and you don't need a licence, who would know?
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If I ran people down, I would know. :rofl
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Really sorry to hear your bad news, Kev! :eek
I know we're a long way away from you but if there's anything we can do to help you out, don't hesitate to ask, okay?
Once things settle a bit you just might be able to get around on a mobility scooter so don't discount that option yet.
My brother was riding his around and he was pretty much blind as a bat due to cataracts... >:()
Cheers mate! :beer
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So sorry to hear your news Kev. Take time to assess the change and your options for getting about, and know that you have lots of friends here at OzSTOC who will always be up for a chat.
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So sorry to hear this Kev, if there’s any way we can help please let us know, best wishes.
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Sorry to hear your news Kev and all the best for the next stage of your journey.
Rgds
GB
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Where there's a will, there's a way. I'm using a 4 inch magnifying glass to read text on my computer screen.
:thumb
I don't think they will allow me to fit it to a helmet, tho.
:grin
Thanks to everybody for your offers of help.
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Well that's not good to hear Kev. There's not a lot of support that many of us can provide (being so far from Portland) but I'm sure we'll all do what we can.
I hope that you have some good support locally and checked with your local Council (shire of Glenelg?), DHHS and NDIS to see what you're entitled to in terms of assistance around the home, with travel and whatever else your deserve.
I'll also see what can be arranged in terms of an RTE, probably an over-night, down at Portland. What's the go to place down there in terms of providing both decent accomodation and meals - haven't stayed down there since my VicRoads' days, Mac's Hotel it was, but now?
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Where there's a will, there's a way.....
Sometimes a family dispute too.
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Sorry to hear about that Kev. Shame we are all so far away. But give us a call if you need stuff and we will try and be there for you. Its a tough gig at times this getting older bit.
As Michael said we can try and have an RTE nearer to you.
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Hey guys, no need to travel so far just for an RTE, I can still keep in touch with all by phone/internet.
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sorry about your dilemma Kev it reminds me of 2020 when the expert doctor at the front counter of Alice Springs motor vehicle registry took it upon herself without any medical training whatsoever to report to their medical assessment team that I had parkinsons disease so I had to get a medical assessment done by my GP MVR lost that round and lost again last year remains to be seen what happens next year. :beer :beer :beer
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Yeah, we're all pushing our expiry date pretty hard. It all started going downhill for us when they stopped manufacturing ST1100s and 1300s, I reckon!
I hope you've got a heap of photos of your experiences to pore through. I've been running a changing wallpaper of our travels, and it helps you feel grateful for the life well lived.
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Oh man, that's not great news Kev, sorry to read. Thankfully you still have the internet and maybe start train travel trips around the country instead
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So sorry to hear this Kev.
Your award at the last National Rally for your bike is a great memory.
But as Marcus said, train travel (& bus?) may be an option, especially with the Vic Government reducing fare costs to metro Melbourne prices. Just need timetables to align & maybe a bed? Would be cheaper than riding, just not as much fun, although you'd stay dry. (Have to say, thinking about driving to Ararat, then train to Melbourne & rellies place - a lot cheaper!)
If you need tech to help you, organisations such as Vision Australia & various other vision agencies (not sure whether you have other organisations like Royal Society for the Blind or Guide Dogs in Vic) should be able to help from the information you've provided. It would be worthwhile if you could see what is available to you either through GP or Council's Community Service area - an Occupational Therapist could help out generally.
Are there any medical or surgical options available to you?
Keep us posted.
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Working on it, just a bit awkward with easter on us at the moment.
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Damn Kev, that's very sad news, hopefully you'll be able to get some assistance arranged to help with getting around.
It's great that you can still keep in touch through the forum and I'm sure you'll have people visiting whenever they travel through the area :thumbsup
All the best mate
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Thanks Dave. :thumbsup
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Sorry to hear that Kev. Wearing glasses with the prescription getting worse each year, I dread that day.
I hope you find good workable solutions.
Sent from my SM-N986B using Tapatalk
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Thanks mate.
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There but for the grace of God go I. Sorry to hear about you vision loss :OldMan. I think there are a lot of drivers with worse eyesight than yours judging by the way they drive.
All the best
Justin and Alison ex :blu13left :blu13
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Thanks Justin, appreciated.
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Took delivery of my new 4-wheeler today... it even has dual brakes!
:crackup Even has a carry bag under the seat.
(https://i.ibb.co/zhZTTcY/DSCN0316.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QFM33BR)
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Plus you can sit on it when your legs get too tired of walking.
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:thumbs
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ABS Brakes, more then your 1100 has
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Took delivery of my new 4-wheeler today... it even has dual brakes!
:crackup Even has a carry bag under the seat.
(https://i.ibb.co/zhZTTcY/DSCN0316.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QFM33BR)
Take it easy Kev
How many cups of coffee ☕️ to the km
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:rofl
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Same as mine (only mine is red = faster). :rofl
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:grin
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ABS Brakes, more then your 1100 has
But needs some farkles, eg, heated grips, touring saddle, touring screen, ash tray, rearview mirrors, etc ...
What do you need Kev?
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:thumbs All good, Michael.
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Have been referred to a trusted doctor by a close friend, appt on Wednesday.
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Ok, saw the doctor, and boy, is HE red hot!.. Surgery is booked for 3 weeks time.
Meanwhile, he told me to take my bike off the market, as he said my sight will be normal in less than two months.
He rides a bike himself, and said there is NO WAY that he would give it up, short of being decapitated, lol.
He is just so positive, that he is amazing! :thumbs
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Oh Kev that's awesome news, so happy for you
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Great news, Kev! :runyay
Fingers crossed all goes well... :X
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Great News Kev :hatwave
Why didn’t he tell you that last time and to cause you so much stress
Sit down and relax and enjoy a good coffee ☕️
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Great news Kev now you'll have to come up here for a celebratory box of these :chocolate-box-smiley-emoticon :chocolate-box-smiley-emoticon
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Leo, different doctor. One who cares this time instead of the last money-grabber.
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Ok, saw the doctor, and boy, is HE red hot!.. Surgery is booked for 3 weeks time....
Well, that is good news Kev.
Meanwhile, he told me to take my bike off the market, as he said my sight will be normal in less than two months....
I think that big wind at around 1:36pm today was just an Australia wide sigh of collective relief.
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:hatwave
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Leo, different doctor. One who cares this time instead of the last money-grabber.
They always say to get a second opinion :like
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That’s amazing news Kev :Like:
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We're very happy for you Kev, and pray all goes well with your surgery. :thumbsup
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Good news Kev. From a doctor, that is rare.
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Great to hear Kev.
Good luck with it.
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Great news Kev. Hope it all goes to plan.
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That is amazing news mate, I'm so happy for you :runyay
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Great news. All the best!
Sent from my SM-N986B using Tapatalk
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UPDATE! Just had a phone call from the Doctor (not his receptionist) Appointment is on Thursday.
He is fitting me in after a late cancellation.
Now that's what I call personal service!
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Goodo, Kev! :thumbs
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UPDATE! Just had a phone call from the Doctor (not his receptionist) Appointment is on Thursday.
He is fitting me in after a late cancellation.
Now that's what I call personal service!
:thumbs
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It's your lucky day Kev
Hope everything works out well :hatwave
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Time out, have eye surgery tomorrow. Will post when I can.
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Good luck, Kev! :X
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Thanks mate. :thumbs
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Time out, have eye surgery tomorrow. Will post when I can.
Good luck Kev. What are they doing, cataracts?
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Yep, Michael. Home again now. :thumb All good.
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Yep, Michael. Home again now. :thumb All good.
From what I understand, cataracts are only done one at a time, so as you can remain functional with one "good" eye, whilst the other, operated on, eye is bandaged and recovering. In my case, the first operated on eye came sort of came good (remained a little fuzzy) when bandages were removed, but full improvement was a couple of week later- I woke one morning and sight was excellent.
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Basically what the Doc told me this morning.
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Basically what the Doc told me this morning.
:thumbs
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Hey Kev, are they are taking the bandage/patch off tomorrow? :/
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Saturday, Russ. And then only to apply drops before the patch goes back on.
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And until then, you still have the necessary skill to post on the forum.
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Saturday, Russ. And then only to apply drops before the patch goes back on.
Oh okay, bit different to me...I saw the surgeon the following morning and had the bandage/patch off there and then.
Then I just needed to apply drops for the next 2-3 weeks...
I was actually pleasantly surprised how good my eyesight was although since then it seems to have gone backward to a certain extent.
My left eye is all good though... :thumbs
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Chris had one in January and the second in Feb. vision is good. Needs glasses for reading now where previously she would always wear glasses and take them off to read.
Charlie had his done last year too. Cost a bomb.
Kev, you should have mentioned cataracts before. Or did I miss that earlier in the thread.
All the best with your recovery.
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:like :bl11. Hope all is going well.Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Just home from the hospital, Patch was removed, eye drops applied, and patch replaced. Will be removed on Monday. Light was a bit painful after playing pirate for the last couple of days. :thumbs
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:X it all goes well.
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Pirate days are over! Eye patch discarded. Daylight is still a bit painful but I wear sunnies to help there.
Sunglasses also cover the minor bruising I have. The doc said this should disappear in a couple more days.
Have to apply drops daily for the next 3 weeks. Still some blurry vision at the moment, but thats probably caused by the drops. Was told that all should be normal in 2, 3 weeks or so.
:thumbsup :runyay
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Hey Kev, have they given you a date for the other eye?
They usually want to do the second eye fairly soon after the first...
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No date yet Russ :thumb
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Wait so all this for cataracts?
Kev, how did the first Doctor get it so very wrong, I don't understand
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Yep, Marcus. Vision was so bad and so so sudden that I could not recognise faces more than 3 metres away.
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The original doctor is just a money grabber, and kept referring me for appointments with other doctors and hospitals that were not necessary. He has a lousy record, as I found out later..
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Glad you sorted them medicos out Kev. Hope the next one isn't too far away. They usually do them about a month apart.
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Great result Kev.
Take care.
Nigel :Like:
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The original doctor is just a money grabber, and kept referring me for appointments with other doctors and hospitals that were not necessary. He has a lousy record, as I found out later..
I would report him the AMA and the regulatory body. He isn't doing much for his patients it seems to me.
Glad that it worked, and things looking up. You will be riding again in no time.
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Awesome news mate, you'll be back on the bike in no time now :runyay
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Bike is having a routine service / overhaul at the moment, should have it back in a week.
Will be renewing rego on Friday as it expires on 11th, next week :hatwave
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Great to see that you will be putting a few more km up on the bike. Great feeling of freedom when you are out on the road
But stay Safe :hatwave
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Just had another call from the Doc.....Back to hospital next Monday morning for surgery to the other eye.
Went for a walk (stumble) to the shops this morning, and eye is still sensitive to light, even tho it was overcast and misty rain. Doc assured me that vision will be better within a couple days.
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Well, that's majorly quick for your other eye, Kev! :thumbs
Hopefully that one goes as good as the first! :X
As for your sensitivity to light, that will probably remain for months...
It's been around 6 months since I had mine done and they are still quite sensitive although they aren't as bad as they were in the first few months.
The sunvisor in your helmet will probably get a workout...I know mine did and still does! :grin
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Woohoo!... Bike was delivered tonight, he squeezed the service/tune/tyre/brskepads in today, a week ahead of schedule! :hatwave
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So Kev, has your licence been cancelled or just suspended pending the results?
Sort of lost my way through this!
Nigel
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Suspended pending surgery, Nigel. Should be OK in about 3 or 4 weeks according to the Doc.
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Then that is a perfect result. :Like:
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Off to the hospital again today for the Doc to work on the other eye. Good vision from the left eye, just a bit blurry still from the daily drops, but much better than it was pre-op.
:thumb
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Great News Kev :hatwave
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Off to the hospital again today for the Doc to work on the other eye. Good vision from the left eye, just a bit blurry still from the daily drops, but much better than it was pre-op.
Good to hear you're on the improve and more improvements coming.
Might be about time to change the thread title.
Great News Kev :hatwave
That'd be a good new title.
Cheers ...
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Home again, with pirate patch on the other eye.
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Welcome back, Kev! :thumbs
(https://i.ibb.co/sw18KMJ/Pirate-Patch.jpg)
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:Like:
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Awesome news Kev, it's great to read you are seeing improvement :grin
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Patch will be on for a few days yet, then hopefully I can get back onto the bike again within a couple of weeks.
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Good news Kev. Very pleased for you.
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Well done KEVIN, see you around. Denis Di.
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Doc said today that eye looks good, the patch removed maybe sunday or monday.
He said with luck I can jump on the bike again by the end of next week.
He said he has a weekend off in a couple of weeks, and would like to go on a day ride with me, maybe a trip to the Grampians? This guy is truly amazing!
:hatwave
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Well done KEVIN, see you around. Denis Di.
Ditto from Helen and me Kev, as well as YOU can see us around.
:runyay
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..... he has a weekend off in a couple of weeks, and would like to go on a day ride with me, maybe a trip to the Grampians?
Next (May) RTE is Mansfield, after that (June) to be determined, but we were discussing out west (I've been thinking about a re-visit to Ararat). If that suits and the Doc comes to an RTE, first beer is on me.
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Bit of a hiccup at the hospital today, I have a minor infection in my right eye.
Still have to wear the eye patch for a couple more days yet.
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Eye patch removed, only have to have eye drops for the next few days, and wait till my eye is less sensitive to light.
Doc said it may take a couple of weeks to return to normal vision.
:hatwave
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Goodo, Kev! :thumbs
I think you'll find your eyes will be quite sensitive for months... :crazy
It's been 6 months since my last eye op, and both eyes are still sensitive, admittedly not as sensitive as they were but on bright sunny days I still wear sunnies.
I suspect your tinted screen in your helmet will be getting a workout, I know mine is! :grin
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Eye patch removed, only have to have eye drops for the next few days, and wait till my eye is less sensitive to light.
Doc said it may take a couple of weeks to return to normal vision.
:hatwave
:like
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Itching to go for a ride, but apart from restricted vision, roads are wet, and shiny new front tyre is a bad mix. I still require antibiotic eye drops daily for awhile yet.
Will see what its like maybe next weekend?
Doc told me yesterday that he has to pass on the ride with me, as a family issue has come up.
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I'm glad things are going well for you Kev. :thumbsup However you need to be a patient patient for a little while yet, and give everything a chance to heal and settle.
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Itching to go for a ride, but apart from restricted vision, roads are wet, and shiny new front tyre is a bad mix. I still require antibiotic eye drops daily for awhile yet.
Will see what its like maybe next weekend?
Doc told me yesterday that he has to pass on the ride with me, as a family issue has come up.
:thumbs
I'm glad things are going well for you Kev. :thumbsup However you need to be a patient patient for a little while yet, and give everything a chance to heal and settle.
Yes, a patient patient is a good thing Kev, you don't wanna end up being a patient again.
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Could be a good thing to stay indoors today anyway?
C'mon, now... whoever heard of ridiculous temperatures like this an hour after midday?
(https://i.ibb.co/Y849Yn8/Capture.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/JHczDWk/Capture.jpg)
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Another week has passed, been miserable weather for several day, I have only stepped out of home to check the mail and feed the birds each day. I buy cheap bread from Aldi and chuck it into the garden a couple times each day.
There are 4 magpies who trust me so much that they feed from my hand.
The crows are much shyer, but there is a one-legged crow who is a little bolder than the others.
Add a few dozen sparrows, and around a dozed wattle birds, and a few blackbirds to the list of freeloaders.
A loaf of bread only lasts around a day and a half.
This exercise gives me something to do apart from just laying around in bed all day waiting for my eyes to heal. I am not yet confident enough to ride my bike.
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Something that did surprise me, the crows also eat slices of apple!
I had a couple that were going a tad brown, past their prime, which I sliced up and chucked out for the birds.
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Give it time Kev you will be back cruising the highways before you know it
A lot better than what the Doctor said a month or so ago
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Get some cheap mince, and feed the birds that. lasts longer and better for the birds. My Father fed generations of magpies in the back yard. The older Maggies would bring their new chicks when they were big enough to fly.. Of course, only feed enough for a treat, they still have to learn to forage to eat for them selves.
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Sorry to hear its taking longer and least it is getting better.
Oh by the way, please don't feed bread or mince to birds its no good for them at all. https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/feeding-wildlife#:~:text=Avoid%20processed%20foods%20like%20bread,up%20around%20a%20bird's%20liver).
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Took a short (20 minutes) putter around town on the bike yesterday. Still need to wear sunglasses, even when it is overcast.
Not fully pleased with my vision yet, but at least I got out of the house for a change.
Preparing to go on RTE to Ararat in a week and a half.
:like
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So good to hear Kev
Tiny steps then enjoy your ride to Ararat, remember to take your sunnies :hatwave
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:like
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Good news Kev.
... Still need to wear sunglasses, even when it is overcast ...
Perhaps it's those LED floodlights turning night into day.
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I rarely trigger the floodlights Michael, it's usually visitors.
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I rarely trigger the floodlights Michael, it's usually visitors.
With your social life, they'd be going off like strobe lights.
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Yeah, and disco beat strobe lights at that. :grin
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:X for much better vision and a full recovery.
Sent from my SM-N986B using Tapatalk
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disco beat
For some reason, that gives me a nightmarish thought...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siN-10vB1WE&pp=ygUNYmVlZ2VlcyBkaXNjbw%3D%3D (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siN-10vB1WE&pp=ygUNYmVlZ2VlcyBkaXNjbw%3D%3D)
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Could be more like this:
https://youtu.be/Ft99FKKsqqE?t=40
Oh yeah, and Kev is the one in the brown trousers.
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Good news Kev.
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Went for a 2 hour cruise today, just testing that I will be ok to travel to next weekends RTE at Ararat.
A little weary when I got home, as I have not spent any real time on the bike for almost 6 weeks.
Still need sunglasses in bright sunlight
Time to round up what I need to take for the trip.
:thumbs :hatwave
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Jam,
Dont forget the Jam..
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... Still need sunglasses in bright sunlight...
Reminds me .... when I was getting some new specs at Spec Savers a few years back, with their 2 for 1 deal I was getting some sunnies to wear under the bike helmet, so I take the helmet with me. Select some frames, try 'em with the helmet on, all okay. Nice young lady says something, couldn't hear properly (because of the helmet) but it sounded like you look like Tom Cruise.
With that ego boost I said thanks, she I beg your pardon, me thanks for saying I look like Tom Cruise, she no, I asked if you were going for a cruise on your motorcycle.
It was nice whilst it lasted.
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:rofl
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... Still need sunglasses in bright sunlight...
Reminds me .... when I was getting some new specs at Spec Savers a few years back, with their 2 for 1 deal I was getting some sunnies to wear under the bike helmet, so I take the helmet with me. Select some frames, try 'em with the helmet on, all okay. Nice young lady says something, couldn't hear properly (because of the helmet) but it sounded like you look like Tom Cruise.
With that ego boost I said thanks, she I beg your pardon, me thanks for saying I look like Tom Cruise, she no, I asked if you were going for a cruise on your motorcycle.
It was nice whilst it lasted.
If she had said "you look like Tom Cruise" the response would surely have to have been "should've gone to Specsavers"?
;-*
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:rofl
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If she had said "you look like Tom Cruise" the response would surely have to have been "should've gone to Specsavers"?
:grin
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Went for a 2 hour cruise today, just testing that I will be ok to travel to next weekends RTE at Ararat.
A little weary when I got home, as I have not spent any real time on the bike for almost 6 weeks.
Still need sunglasses in bright sunlight
Time to round up what I need to take for the trip.
:thumbs :hatwave
Good news Kev. :thumbsup :
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Went for a 2 hour cruise today, just testing that I will be ok to travel to next weekends RTE at Ararat.
A little weary when I got home, as I have not spent any real time on the bike for almost 6 weeks.
Still need sunglasses in bright sunlight
Time to round up what I need to take for the trip.
:thumbs :hatwave
Good to hear you're out and about again.
Sent from my SM-N986B using Tapatalk
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You definitely have to come up here for your cake and chocolate now Kev. :chocolate-box-smiley-emoticon :EatCake