Wet Macular Degeneration.: A Big Wake Up Call

by Robbie Schaecken
(SYDNEY NSW Australia)

"I'm just trying to stop you from going blind" said my doctor as I baulked yet again at telling him just how out of control my Blood Sugars had become, as he organised a blood test.

I had been a Type 2 diabetic on insulin for 10 years then, and truly lost the plot with the routine I needed to follow, in order to stave off the complications that were inevitable, for as long as I possibly could.

That was 15 years ago now. So that makes it 25 years all up. I went to see the doctor with a small blank spot in one eye, and after the gamut of eye tests that they put you through, I was told that I had spots that needed zapping with a laser and that I would need some Avastin injections for Wet Macular Degeneration.

I was shell-shocked. How could this be happening to me? I had the laser first – not too bad. Then, the days clicked over to my first eye injection. Oh Man, I wanted to be anywhere but sitting there waiting to have an eye needle. I felt sick in the stomach; I wanted to throw up, run away. My heart was beating so fast and hard I could hear it in my head, and see it moving my chest.

Lots of anaesthetic drops later, and without even seeing the needle “a bit of pressure “ was what the doctor said and some “bubbles in the eye” IT was done. I felt like flying. All over? “Yes “ he said, “that’s it”. What a relief, now lets see if I can see well. “ This will take a while” he said “and a few more injections” I fell over at the thought of more injections and walked dejected from his clinic after a detailed explanation With another appointment in hand.

After a couple of days, I had a good talk to my self and decided that if that’s what it takes to save my sight, well that’s what I’ll do. So here I am on my 11th injection over a couple of years with a bit of ME time off as I was tired of the routine. The doctor is working very hard to save enough of my sight so as I can keep my drivers license.

I have a sense of humour about life now that I never recognized before. Maybe because I’m 66 years old, and my best friend and I have had many a good old belly laugh about my poor eyesight. She, having saved me a few times from falling down a gutter or two, saying " next time mix more water with it" as we head off LOL.

We were driving along a well known road she was the driver, as I wasn’t seeing well that day. I mentioned that I couldn’t see the sign hanging from the over hanging traffic light post, I said “ you know mate my eyes must be getting really bad because I cant see any of the writing on that sign” “oh” she said as we got closer “that’s because there’s nothing on it, it’s facing the other way” . We've dined out on that one.

Macular degeneration is no fun. Thankfully there are web sites like this one and so many great products, organizations, and people available to help us.

When I do lose my license and can’t drive anymore, and my eyesight is very poor. I’m not worried how I’ll cope.
I am concerned how the people I interact with will deal with my warped sense of humour about it.

Keep smiling people ( It makes the world wonder what you’ve been up to)

Ms. Robbie Schaecken