Patches and Pregnancy

Since last summer I've been dealing with a stubborn swollen red cyst on my lower eyelid. Basically, there are oil glands in each eyelash follicle that help lubricate lashes. Sometimes the follicles get blocked and typically (in most people), it just resolves itself. Mine has taken 8 months, hours of hot compresses, 2 eye patches and 2 surgeries to finally (hopefully!) get back to normal. I've had to deal with a swollen bump that people stare at for almost a year! 

Pre-surgery on the left, Post-surgery on the right

I had an appointment this morning for a consultation with an occular-plastic surgeon to discuss my options for surgery on this thing. I figured I'd pop in, meet with her, set an appointment for the procedure and head back home to work. Instead, I ended up spending over six hours at the hospital, mostly waiting for various people/things but eventually walking out with a patch, a tingly painful right side of my face and several stitches (fortunately flesh colored & teeny!) under my eye.  

But I also walked out with a huge appreciation for so many people. 

My husband Joe, who listened while I complained and tried to explain the situation through lots of tears and sniffling, and calmly assured me everything would be okay and not to worry about the insurance or billing or any of other things I was crying about. 

My boss Robyn, who sympathetically said she was sorry I had to deal with everything and told me to not even think twice about basically missing a day of work when I originally told her I'd be gone an hour and who justified my crying by reminding me I'm pregnant and hormonal. 

My mom, who always answers the phone and makes me feel better just by being my mom. 

The amazing receptionist, technician and nurse in my doc's office who made me feel at home with jokes, assuring words, smiles and chatty conversation. 

And my doctor, who made the time to help me to today and calmly explained everything happening during my surgery as she did it and whose incredibly steady hands made me feel totally safe as she injected needle after needle and tool after tool in my eye. 

I am so blessed. 

While waiting an hour for my vision to return to normal, I took some pregnant selfies in my patch. 

I head back for a follow up appointment in 3 weeks and I'm hoping and praying for a speedy and perfect recovery so I can wear contacts and makeup again!