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Name
Bette J. Countryman
Born
January 11, 1945
Home
Birmingham, Iowa
Diagnosis
Wet MD right eye and vitreous hemmorage, Retinal Pigmental
Epithelial Detachment in left, Fuchs' Cornea Dystrophy in both,
worse in right.
Eyes Affected
Both
Eye Color
Brown
Age at Diagnosis
RPED in left eye at about 52
Visual Acuity
20/nothing I guess in right eye, 20/40 with some
variation.
Treatment
After second bleed in right eye, had a gas bubble injected with
blood thinners to try to clear the blood away from the retina.
Immediately after the bubble left, I had the vitreous
hemorrhage.
Prognosis or Current State of
Vision
Doesn't look very promising, I think the right eye is gone. Thank
God the left is holding. The cornea think is an added
worry.
Family History
Mother, legally blind from MD, but late in life, Mid-70's at
least, died at age 93. Father, diabetic, had visually impairment
from retinal bleeding. Brother, 74, has an eye written up in
ophthalmic journal, has dry MD, had experimental laser surgery, and
is doing well. Brother, 66, has had both corneas transplanted from
the Fuchs Corneal Dystrophy.
Impact on My Life
Can't believe how much. I have accepted, but it still seems
unreal. I am undergoing so many life things at one time.
Positive Effects
Much soul-searching, much appreciation for the little joys of
life. Learning to live for the minute. Gaining new knowledge. I
have a lot of work to do on this.
Adaptations
Trying different types of lighting. I need bright sometimes and
darker sometimes. It is confusing to me and to my family. Corning
lenses for night and bright light. Helps some sometimes. Magnifier
for reading. Large print books. Curtailed driving.
Working
I have just lost my job of 10 years as a Furniture Sales Associate
at Heilig-Meyers Furniture. I am also losing my insurance in
another year. I am trying to figure out what I can do with my
eyesight and my (talents?).
More About Me
I have been married to my high-school sweetheart for 39 years. We
live on a 3rd generation family farm. We have both worked off the
farm in recent years, full time and kept the farm going. I have two
grown daughters, beautiful people I love. My hobbies are/were in
the process of changing somewhat, grandparenting, reading,
gardening, sewing,cooking, and volunteering. Since becoming
unemployed, I am trying to renew and nourish my ties with good
friends.
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