10/23 Status report one month post-vitrectomy

Time flies, it will be four weeks tomorrow from when I had the vitrectomy operation to repair my retinal detachment.  I am recovering well, it is slow progress but it is progress!  Taking stock of how I am doing, here is my status report.

Things I can do:

1. Work on computer, read, watch TV, blog ;)
2. DRIVE with an eye patch
3. Walk briskly - good exercise!
4. Weights - I am going slowly on this one, starting at 5-8 lbs when i used to do 15lbs (i have clearance to do 10 lbs)
5. Bowling - doing maximum of 3-4 games, when i used to do 6-7 a night
6. Dancing - slow dances and lessons only, nothing bouncy.  Was back at class at Carousel Ballroom tonight and really enjoyed being back!

Things I cannot do yet:

1. Zumba - I can't jump and do bouncy exercises yet, and I can't do Zumba without bouncing...  I know how to "cheat" and do low impact (option one), but when the music plays, it's hard to avoid doing what I should not do!
2. Running - I'll stick with the brisk walking, and need to remind myself that breaking into a quick jog is NOT allowed!
3. Sit-ups - the doctor specifically called this out as a no-no.  I'm doing slow crunches instead.
4. Driving at night - I can do short distances but am not risking long drives, much too strenuous on the eyes.
5. Fast and bouncy dances - no chachas, jives,  swings, viennese waltzes, sambas and quicksteps for now!
6. Flying - thank goodness i have no flights scheduled this year, no flying for a while here.  And my neon green "eye gas" bracelet is still required in case something happens to me and I need to be MediVac-ed - no can do, ground transport only!
7. Roller Coasters and Sky Diving - not doing it anyway, so there!

The gas bubble is at around 20-30% now, getting smaller, and the distorted vision above the miniscus is quite clear although still out of sync with my good eye.  There are starbursts and other distortions from the gas bubble, which are more annoying at night, but nothing that my rhinestone eye patch can't help.  The driving is getting better now, I am getting used to driving like a pirate (arghh!), but am looking forward to using both eyes eventually.

So overall I am doing well, happier now that I have clearance to bowl and dance again, but taking it easy since I still am recovering.  Still on the slow lane but gearing up for a little bit more speed here.  Getting back to where I was, but pretty happy with the ride, where it has taken me and where I am now.  It's all good, and getting better every day. 

Take care and be well!