Monday, August 27, 2007

Spiders at Wrigley Field, Chicago

Last month my father-in-law, Rick McClure, had the chance to go to historic Wrigley Field and partake in a Chicago Cubs vs Milwaukee Brewers game.


So, one could not resist asking if he would represent the Spiders colors in the windy city.





Considering Rick, like most of us, is up for anything crazy and fun, he said yes!





In fact, he even had someone in the crowd ask where he got the jersey... cause he (the guy) had one just like it! Crazy.





Kudos to Rick!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

How they fixed my Eyeball!

Well, its been a week since the surgery and things are slowly starting to get better. I am glad they did not tell me everything. The end result will be wonderful, but the process so far has been pretty much hell. They say "no pain, no gain." I say, "NO SHIT!"

The idea that someones life, and thus their eyeball, will allow for me to see again is very surreal. Yea, it is not a heart or liver or even a lung, but a gift nevertheless that would not be possible in any other form. For that I am eternally grateful. Thank You.

Anyway, much thanks go out to my loving wife Kelly and my parents for putting up with my sorry ass... and for all who have called, texted, emailed and sent over gifts. Nice to know that when you "go off the grid" people actually care.

Now, seriously. Ali Gage, model and actress was 28 when diagnosed with Keratonconus. A corneal transplant was done. The below link is a slide-show of her surgery from 2001. Some things are little different now, but it's very similar.

Go to: http://www.fyeye.com/power-point/agcornea-transplant/Ali-Transplant/sld002.htm

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Spider's 2nd Annual Family Picnic

Sorry to say that due to problems coordinating the Spider's 2nd Annual Family Picnic, where everyone is available to attend, the party will be cancelled for 2007. We can't find a date that will work for everyone.

We will try again next year.

As soon as Harry is better I will have him change the Spider's Social Events Calendar to include the cancellation.

Trail Pictures!!!!!!!




Saturday, August 11, 2007

Rebuilding #77 - Harry's right eyeball

WHAT IS KERATOCONUS
About 1/ 2000 people will develop keratoconus. Most people will have a mild or moderate form of the disease. Less than 10% of keratoconics will develop the most severe form. It typically is diagnosed in the late teens or twenties. However, many people have been diagnosed in their mid to late thirties; this is usually a more mild form of the disease. It is common for one eye to precede faster than the other and the eyes may go for long periods of time without any change and then change dramatically over a period of months.


A corneal transplant may be needed when vision cannot be corrected satisfactorily using other procedures such as contact lenses and glasses, or if painful swelling cannot be relieved by medications. When the cornea becomes "opaque" or gray/white (see uper photo) from disease or injury or painful from swelling or blisters, it no longer functions as the "clear window" of the eye. It then acts more like a "soapy" window which you cannot clearly see through. Even if the rest of the eye is healthy, a cloudy cornea will obstruct clear vision. Of all the transplant surgery done today (hearts, lungs, kidneys, etc.) corneal transplants are by far the most common and successful.


A corneal transplant, also known as a corneal graft, or as a penetrating keratoplasty, involves the removal of the central portion called a button (see right photo) of the diseased cornea and replacing it with clear healthy donor button. The donor cornea button is sewed into the defect created by removal of the diseased cornea. Tiny hair-thin sutures or stitches are used to anchor the graft to the host tissue.
The postoperative recovery is a long one, but in most cases, resumption of normal activities may occur soon after surgery with some reasonable limitations. For example, lifting heavy objects or strenuous exercise must be avoided until directed otherwise by the physician. Until the eye has healed, glasses or an eye shield must be worn to protect the eye. The sutures used to sew the donor cornea in place are barely visible and do not cause pain. It is normal for the eye to feel scratchy or irritated for the first few days following surgery. As the cornea heals, some of the stitches used to sew the donor tissue into place are removed. This can be done quite easily in the doctor's office. The final improvement in vision is gradual and occurs six to twelve months post-operatively.