Not Such Great News

Many of you would probably agree that the past six months or so have been quite alarming on the world stage – and whilst I find the politics, and certain leaders and politicians, rather a concern I am not particularly knowledgeable or savvy… so it is best to be quiet on that score.  Also, I am aware that the following is centred around my small world and in no way disregards the awful circumstances many people in, for example, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, are living.  I do what I can in my own small way.

So, in my own small world and on a personal level it has been a difficult, stressful and depressing period of time.  I have withdrawn to a certain degree for various reasons but here is a precis of what has been (and continues to be), a long, drawn-out, convoluted and complicated medical / health issue.  Just over two years ago appointments and tests started with regard to visual issues with my left eye.  Without boring everyone with all the details I was referred to Gloucester Royal Hospital as an emergency admittance.  Initially I underwent emergency laser surgery but that was not effective so then endured two trabeculectomies.  I use the word ‘endure’ because it was painful – particularly when they inject into the eye!   Anyway, this is an operation where the surgeons cut into the wall of the eye and create an additional ‘drainage pathway’ for fluid and therefore reduces pressure in the eye.
 
I was in the hospital every day for weeks and weeks! And then every couple of weeks and then after about nine months it tailed off to once a month.  At my ‘last’ appointment when the current treatment was ‘signed off’ by the consultant the official note on the letter sent to my doctor / medical centre states that:
 

• “the problems are: "primary open angle glaucoma" and
• "Glaucomatous optic atrophy with no vision"

 
It's not a great diagnosis to read in black and white, is it?  And there is no chance of any recovery  with regard to my left eye, because the damage to the optic nerve is so severe. 
 
In all honesty, it has been a complete nightmare – I had to leave my full-time job (I was off work so much and the management were not very empathetic and, basically, I couldn’t deal with the additional stress on top of everything else). And it continues to be very restrictive work-wise – I get bad headaches and just the basic logistics of getting to work, the environment itself as well as the hours and so on.
 
Therefore, over a period of months (and since the final diagnosis with the hospital) I referred my ‘concern’ with various official channels and about a month ago the General Optical Council (GOC) who monitor all opticians in the UK, have opened a formal investigation into the events leading up to losing the sight in my left eye.  This is no reflection on the NHS because they have been marvellous, but instead to raises concerns about the processes employed [or not] by a particular high street optician which led to emergency care.  A legal firm based in Cheltenham who specialise in ‘Personal Injury and Negligence’  is also looking into the whole scenario as it is possibly a case of “medical negligence”.  I will have to provide a ‘witness statement’ for the GOC anyway, so it all smacks of ‘legality’. 
 
The whole thing has created a great deal of anxiety and, if I am honest, is very depressing.  The impact upon my life is pretty catastrophic…. it affects everything. 
 
A case of ‘bear with’….!