A Real Eye Opener-- Travis and family update 9/30/01

A Real Eye Jpener-- Travis and family update 9/30/01

Dear everyone,

Again, thank you for all the care and concern you've shown for Travis as he went to (and recovers from) his first cataract surgery. This has been such a horrific few weeks for us all, after the tragedy in NYC, Washington and Pennsylvania, that it's taken me awhile to sit and write. My apologies for the delayed update…

Our great news is that Travis sailed through the lens replacement/cataract surgery pretty well. They did need to use a smaller lens than planned, but indeed, could put in a new one. Travis was VERY anxious about the surgery, so we were thrilled to finally move ahead and get it over with, at least for that first eye. When Travis awoke from the general anesthesia, he was very disoriented (a normal reaction) and in some pain. I felt awful, as he mumbled that we'd promised him he'd feel no pain. Also, he was upset that he still had his "line" in -- and I wondered if he thought his central line was back in. But after getting the rest of his fluids in, they removed the IV in his hand, and he relaxed. Fortunately, the pain subsided within about an hour -- and with eye patch applied, we went home for a few days of rest to keep his eye protected. That next day, the doctor removed the patch and within a few minutes, Travis' sight in that eye was dramatically improved. With the cataract, it had gotten to something like 20/400or -- and suddenly he was at 20/60, with the hope that over the next few days it would be even better.

So now, he's been in the "intermediate place" -- of one eye strong and clear, yet the other eye with it's cataract. So Travis has been challenged by not seeing clearly with his glasses (overcorrects the new "good eye") and not seeing well enough without them (his eyes cross). But, true to the doctor's word, he's adapted to this temporary hurdle. And with the absolutely incredible support from Mrs. Riley, Travis' teacher, Travis is hanging in there with schoolwork pretty well.

Travis' next eye checkup is this Tuesday. And hopefully, if all looks good, we may schedule the left eye surgery for the following week or so. Travis dreads this again, but is also excited to be "done" and see well again. He'll still have to wear glasses, but much thinner ones, after this is all done.

In the "dopey caregiver" category, I had a goofy scare this past Friday. Suddenly, while working in my office for an hour or so in the morning, I realized I couldn't see very well --couldn't focus my eyes. It was the strangest thing. After awhile, I happened to glance at my eyes in the mirror when getting a glass of water, and I couldn't believe my own eyes. Honestly, my pupils in both eyes were almost as big as the irises themselves. The right pupil was largest, with the left not much smaller. I thought back to the horrible headache I'd had the night before (and attributed to dehydration from a long run that morning) -- and both of these things combined had me pretty nervous.

I immediately called my eye doctor to schedule an appointment for that afternoon. In the meantime, my dad (a physician in MN) said to get right to my general doctor, and possibly see a neurologist and get a CT scan and MRI, as this was nothing to mess with. He wanted me to immediately rule out brain bleed or tumor or anything like that. Long story short… there I was in my doctor's office (right away) getting all checked out -- and coming up in great health, when II mentioned: "Isn't it funky that here it is, Travis who had cancer and a BMT and now gets dilation drops after cataract surgery and here I am with big, dilated eyes…". And that's when it hit me, with the full realization of my stupidity. That morning, in our mad race around before school and work, I must have put my contacts on immediately after applying Travis' eye drop. And while I could swear none had gotten on my fingers, apparently, I'd neglected to scrub my hands afterwards, and even the slightest trace of this potent drop got onto my contacts/eyes and the rest is history. What a GOOF! All I kept thinking was how grateful I was to have figured this out before stirring up the medical world with CT's, MRI's and the like. I would have felt like an even bigger dolt! As there was no "antidote" to reverse this, I finished the day with sunglasses on, indoors as well, as my pupils were big enough to do a triple gainer dive into.

Man, I tell you, this cancer/BMT journey has the most unexpected surprises. This one was just a lesson learned (with a fair amount of nervousness during those few hours) -- WASH your hands thoroughly after applying dilation drops to someone, and before putting on your own contacts! Not rocket science, I know…

Lastly, on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team In Training front, thank you all for your generous support and cheers as I again train with the team for my next marathon. Your response has been just wonderful. I'm working hard to hold up my end of the bargain -- running my buns off. Yesterday (Saturday) I had one of the best training runs since starting with TNT. I ran 16 miles -- yes, wearing sunglasses to shield my goofy and still dilated eyes--and felt great and grateful --the entire way. It was a long run of reflection about many, many things.

This has been such a terrible time for our country, and so many of us feel deep and tremendous sadness over the loss of so many people. I am deeply saddened over the loss of many colleagues from my former company, Aon. We are all touched in multiple ways by this tragedy. And while we've all looked to help those grieving in whatever way we can, you all have still kept Travis in your thoughts and prayers as well. Thank you so much for that. As we celebrated our Jewish New Year this past week, I wish you all a new year filled with good health and recovery -- and with bright hope for peace.

Thanks again, everyone.

Love,

Melanie, Joe, Travis and Spencer