A Little Catch Up - Its All about the Eyes at the Moment

Sunday

Unfortunately I was off colour yesterday (Sunday) - no energy and feeling completely drained.  No reason for it as I have been taking things steadily despite being busy I have not been over doing it.  I therefore took a day off yesterday and literally just flopped and rested up.  Seemed to do some good as I did regain some energy later on in the day.  We had a Lamb traybake for Sunday tea followed by some big wedges of fresh Melon to finish off with.  Went down very nicely.  

Monday

Had a rough night with Missy and I ended up sitting up with her for three hours first thing on Monday morning as she just would not settle.  Got her cuddled in and calmed down for about an hour where she did sleep for about an hour and then off she went again.  She eventually settled back in her bed and was out for the count.  As a result I overslept this morning.  

We both had Optician appointments this afternoon.  Of late my vision has changed or I felt it had and so as G booked an appointment for today I asked that he book me one as well.  I have been having difficulty with my eyes particularly first thing of a morning where my eyes do not want to open and feel a bit gritty.  Was not sure whether this was to do with my medication as the medication that I am on for the auto-immune conditions is a type of Quinine sulphate known generically as Hydroxychloroquine and sometimes long term usage of this drug can affect the eyes adversely, in which case they end up having to take you off the medication and use alternatives as well as deal with any resulting issues. All told,  I have been on this medication for about 16 years and for the best part it seems to be holding things at bay.  

I have recently in any event received a letter from my GP Practice who had written to inform me that I am to be invited by the Hospital for eye-screening in respect of me being on this medication.  This will involve initial screening at the hospital where they will assess whether or not there is any long-term issue. From what I have read there are a couple of deep seated scans that have to be carried out at the hospital initially, with regular eye screening once yearly if everything is okay after the initial results.  If intervention is required prior to this if there are some issues that crop up they will expedite it as a result of that.  I am therefore waiting for an appointment from the Hospital in this respect.

We therefore attended at the Opticians this afternoon.  G went in and I still had not been in to see the Optician by the time he came out of his appointment. I went in shortly thereafter to have the initial assessments.  I have every year been paying out a little extra to have a deeper imaging done that can pick up any potential problems well in advance.  However the Technician was worried because of my epilepsy and said would wait on what the Optician wanted doing and she would carry this out if it was needed.  

I eventually got into see the Optician, a young woman no more than 30 and have had the most intensive examination of my eyes that I have had for some time.  I told her the problems had been experiencing and she conducted a deep dry eye test as well as part of my screening.  I cannot see properly without glasses now either at distance or close up.  I therefore felt that my eyes had got a little worse than they were.  It was also very nice to be listened to, and the concerns that I had, which is why I think the slightly deeper testing took place.  As a result of this she indicated that a lot of my sore eye problem is being exacerbated by a condition known as Blepharus and she has given me a product to use with the maintenance of this.  Blepharus is inflammation of the eye lid where the edges go pink and once you have it, that is it and it is mostly down to.  I believe my Granddad had this.  Am therefore going to use the product and see how I get on.  Will be eye maintenance first thing of a morning and last thing at night moving forward.  I use eye drops a lot in any event, however the Optician has recommended a particular one which she thinks will make my eyes more comfortable overall especially in view of the Sjogrens.  We shall therefore see how things go.  My eye prescription has worsened to what it was, and the extra testing I had after coming out from seeing her is "perfect" and not showing any problems which I am relieved about.  My new glasses should be ready in about ten day's time.  I shall sort out the long-distance glasses when I go in to collect them.  We had to get back to a Jack Russell as were longer in the Opticians far longer than anticipated.

After I came out of the Opticians on the way home, my phone pinged and I have received an appointment to see my Rheumatologist in early August.  I am assuming that I will receive the eye screening appointment well before then.  It seems that the medical appointments are all falling into place.  Think the Universe/someone is looking after me on the medical front for which I am grateful.

I would very much like to get down to Cornwall for a mini-break if I could and we shall take advantage where we can, however I think the longer period we had envisaged is probably going take place from August going into Autumn by the looks of it at the moment.

After coming home, I nipped to the shop to get a few bits.  I then set too and cooked tea.  Made homemade roasties, had a Beef Melt each, served with fresh Kale, new fresh carrots and Purple Sprouting Broccoli in a cheese sauce and then finished off with some grated cheese in the oven.  I picked up a couple of cartons of reduce pasta cheese sauce and a couple of cartons of carrot and coriander soup.  I used the two cartons of cheese sauce supplemented with some of the Cornish Quartz cheddar.  The PSV prepared in this way was very tasty.  I often mix broccoli and cauliflower or just use broccoli or cauliflower in a cheese sauce, but it is the first time I have bought the reduced cartons and used them like this. There is still half left and as we are having steak tomorrow the remnants of that might go very well with the steak. Another day I will look out for some more reduced mixed veg bags on reduction as they make a very lovely vegetable soup.  I have also bought some Danish Blue cheese for making some Broccoli and Blue cheese.  I think Broccoli prepared as a cheese but using Blue cheese might be rather tasty also.  I am a bit partial to soup.  Plans to make a Quiche in the week as well as I have some pastry to use up.  I am craving veggies and fresh fruit a lot at the moment.  Might also have some Goats Cheese, tomatoes and sausages in an oven bake later on in the week too.

Well in one respect I did not get to anything in the house today, but on the eye front got quite a lot of stuff sorted and put into perspective.  Tomorrow is another day and I will be back to the grind working hard tomorrow.  Just going to take it a bit at a time.

Have a lovely evening everyone.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

x