Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Let there be sight!

Unbeknownst to some family and friends (please forgive us!), Matt underwent Lasik surgery this past Friday, the 18th. The process, from the first consultation to the actual surgery, happened so incredibly fast! Matt and I had briefly talked about Lasik, but always as something in the future... say, possibly next year. When Matthew's friend from school, Becca, shared the success of her recent Lasik operation, we scheduled a free eye exam with the same doctor who treated her eyes, as well as her whole family. This was Saturday, the 12th. From then on, the ball began to roll, or shoot...which ever one is faster. We were told, after several tests, that Matt was a good candidate. To confirm this, tests would have to be repeated after three days of not wearing contacts. And if all went according to plan, he could have surgery three days after that! Unfortunately, this meant a total of seven days without contacts...which left only one option for sight, the nerd glasses:) I have to say, though, Matt worked those glasses to the end!

This is a funny picture to start with, but I wanted to show
Matt's eyes from the 12th. During the first day of testing, his eyes had to be dilated. Matt and I couldn't help but giggle. We always think of birth/pregnancy when we hear the word "dilate"! We're so mature...

On the "big day", the 18th, we made the mistake of running late! Matt's appointment was at 12:30, in Murray, and we didn't leave Provo until a little before noon. We were haulin' on the freeway! I'm embarrassed to say we were pushing 90mph most of the way...

A quick picture in the car. We're both happy/excited for surgery, and the fact we didn't get pulled over!
Going over a few details about post-operation meds. The women who work at Lasik Plus are so genuinely kind. We're so grateful they made our experience a smooth and easy one.
Matthew waiting patiently ...he's reading about the Batman movie we recently watched with Laura and Trent (whose smile, by the way, is so much cuter in person! Pictures don't do it justice!)
Matt's upside-down name tag. This makes it easier for the doctor to read while operating.The last check-up before the lasering begins. At this point, Matt was offered valium to help him relax......he took it.The operation room had clear, glass walls that faced the waiting room. It was amazing being able to watch the whole process. Please forgive the fuzzy pictures! Trying to focus my camera through the glass was difficult.Matt was placed under two different machines during the operation. Right now they're about to cut a circular flap on his cornea with a laser. After the flap is made, they'll lift it up to laser underneath.A television was connected to each machine, so I, along with everyone else in the waiting room, was able to see what the doctor was seeing as she operated. It was so fasinating! Again, some pictures are fuzzy, but there are a few good "eye shots" farther down. Matthew smiling...perhaps from the valium?
After the flaps were made, Matt was moved to the second machine....It's hard to see, but Matt was given a stuffed monkey to hold/snuggle while his eyes were lasered.Matthew's beautiful, blind eye.Here, you can see the laser focus on the center of his eye. When the procedure was finished, the doctor carefully pulled the flap back over his cornea. With several eye drops and small sponges, she smoothed the flap. Apparently, because of moisture and other stickiness, the cornea heals very quickly. Matthew's first look at me with his new eyes!Another examination to make sure everything is okay.You can't see it, but Matt is smiling really, really big!Matt being escorted out of the operation room.
Matthew posing and reflecting over what just happened...After surgery, we were both starving! We stopped by Costco to pick up two delicious hot-dogs, drinks, and a churro (our favorite Costco meal). I left Matt in the car, with the AC blasting, while I ran in to purchase our food. When I came back to the car, the poor guy was out. We then drove to my sister, Tara's, home in Sandy to rest.My sweet nephew, Joshua, lent Matthew his bed. Within moments, he's out again. The clear, eyewear protects his eyes in case he trys to rub or scratch them while he's sleeping. He only has to wear them at night...thank goodness!After almost three hours of rest, Matt's new eyes are revealed! His right eye is slighty bruised because they had difficulty cutting the flap. The following morning, July 19th, we're back in the office with one of the doctors. We're told everything looks great and that the bruising should fade within a few weeks. We're also reminded to keep up the eye drops to ensure faster healing. We have three different sets of drops; an antibiotic, an anti-imflamitory, and "fake tears" to keep his eyes moist. The "fake tears" are given every hour, while the antibiotic and anti-imflamitory are every three. Matthew's face looks surprised here because the doctor just informed him his eyesight went from a -9 to 20/20! 20/20 and 20/15 eyes.Matthew lovingly donating his nerd glasses.Outside the office, Matt poses under the Lasik Plus sign (which I feel was appropriatly named). We received sight, PLUS candy, chips and water. Mmmmm. Thank you Lasik Plus!The day after, and Matt's lookin' good! So long contacts, adios nerd glasses!

10 comments:

Staci said...

oh my gosh wow..that is amazing..Rob is sooo jealous. Thank your for taking pics. of the whole experience and sharing it w/ us. I'm sad you don't have your nerdy glasses anymore, but very happy for you. YOU CAN SEE. Your eyes are beautiful Matt!

Staci said...

oh by the way i love the drool mark on the pillow your laying on. :P

Tara said...

haha, if that wasn't a new pillow case on the pillow, I would have said the drool was residual from Joshua. Yay for vision!!! I'm so glad we could be a part of your lasik experience in some way Matt! even if it was just for some rest, (actually, you slept for quite a while ;), and of course, as always, food and entertainment. (I'm refering to how open Bill and I are in front of you guys ;) Love you two, you know our home is always open to you!

Anonymous said...

what a cool post! haha and i like that u didn't tell anyone. Matt, i love ur smile in these pictures haha some of them u just look so happy and cheesy :) i mean that with love....lol it just makes me laugh!

Jeff Olsen said...

No Scratch!!! if you scratch you'll go blind! (name that movie...)

barbmartin said...

My beautiful blue-eyed boy! How fantastic! Question: How did you afford that? Were you somebody's guinea pig? I am so excited for you. Alright, kids, who will be next? Of course, you know that dad will now start researching this and seeing if he would be a good candidate. If we hadn't just started Julia on braces, we could probably swing it. We will see!! No pun intended. :)

mica said...

Barbara, answer: We spent a good, little chunk of money. However, because Matthew's friend referred us, we were able to save $300 on each eye! The cost of the operation varies for each candidate. Because Matt's corneas are extremely flat, he required the all-laser procedure. The flap in his cornea could have been cut by a small blade, but for him, the laser was safer. The procedure was the most expensive on the price list, but we were okay with this since he would have the latest technology performed on his eyes. We both feel the long term benefits outweigh the temporary fund shortage. We’ll just have to live in Mexico while the whole financial thing blows over. I’m sure I have family there…somewhere.

Mom said...

Lucky Matt! Incredible!

(Good narrative Mica!)

We were shocked and verra impressed that you were still able to come up to the resort to visit us, Sat. and then see Drk. Night after that... WOW!

Such great results, and very exciting... Its good that it didn't look like Mica was beating you too badly. Your excuses were pretty funny. LOL Paul really wants lasik now!

Hurray for great eye-sight!

Lindsay said...

i'm so fricken jealous... someday i'll be able to see right when i wake up... SOMEDAY. Until that miracle happens.. i'll just be thankful that i have an ear :)

T said...

I don't want Travis to see this post because I know if he were to read it he would want to go out right away and get this procedure done, PRONTO! Is it covered by insurance? Cause I'm getting new boobs before he gets his vision fixed that's for sure:)