Return from Armenia #23 Flight and Sight

We are so grateful for the patience of President and Sister Carter. Funny thing happened as we were preparing to leave. We set the alarm for 2:15 a.m. (that’s right a.m.) for an early flight the day after diagnosis and went to bed around 11:30 p.m. The Carters were coming to pick us up at 3:00 a.m. and we knew that would be adequate time to throw a few things in a suitcase, etc… Well, that is, if you remember to turn the alarm on. At 3:00 a.m. I heard a gentle tap at the door and literally leaped out of bed to answer it. Lovely, to greet the mission president and his wife bleary eyed and in pajamas still. It’s amazing how fast we put it all together and were soon headed to the airport. We love President and Sister Carter and will forever remember their smiling faces as we departed…but they were touched with a bit of sadness as they bid farewell to another senior couple…who as of yet have not been replaced .

Our flight went fairly smoothly except for a delay in Chicago, but we arrived in Salt Lake City just an hour later than expected. We were greeted by Elder Peterson’s brother and his wife, Dave and Connie, and they took us directly to the Emergency Room at the University Hospital per our instructions from the consulting doctors. Now, if you’ve ever been to an emergency room, you know it can be a slow process…and it was. They finally saw us, consulted with the ophthalmologist and arrangements were made to be seen at the Moran Eye Clinic the following day. They said they didn’t do eye surgery in the middle of the night generally speaking and it could wait until daylight. We finally arrived home and crawled into bed around 3 a.m. (about 36 hours after we had left Yerevan).

I received a thorough eye exam the next morning from Dr. Bernstein and his associate, Dr. Shuler (I think) and the diagnosis as given in Armenia was the same, detached retina, etc. so surgery was scheduled for the next Thursday which was the doctor’s regular surgery day.

We were able to go see our newest grandbaby and the other 4 grandchildren we haven’t seen for several months. It was lovely. The baby is so sweet and we’re anxious for her to be free of her cords (oxygen and heart) so we can really snuggle her.

Grandparents with newest granddaughter, Merit Sue

Our pregnant with twins daughter Sue and Merit

Sue and Merit Sue

The surgery, according to them went well and according to plan although I think there was a little more repair necessary than had been anticipated. It was surgery done without being totally out of it, so I could hear everything and feel some things and except for recovery being better when just done locally, I’m not sure I like being so aware. It’s supposed to be a 4-6 week recovery before I get my eyesight back. They put in a big gas bubble to help in the healing process and it’s like looking through a wall of water. Rog is kind enough to help with a couple of different eye drop medications needing to be applied 4 times a day.

So, now I’m recovering at the in-laws who were kind enough to take us in so we didn’t displace too badly the seven loved ones currently living in our home. They are anticipating a move around the 1^st of May and then we’ll be able to relocate back to Utah County and see those friends and neighbors we’ve missed while on our mission.

Pincocks and Peterson get together for a "mini" reunion

A little bonus for today, April 19th, was a visit from the Pincocks who stopped by while they were in Salt Lake area for meetings. It was fun to see them and play a few games...always one of our favorite evening activities in Armenia.