Life During Wartime

Unfortunately, we live in interesting times.

The war between Israel and Palestine continues, as does the war between Russia and Ukraine. India and Pakistan, both armed with nuclear arsenal, are sabre rattling. Meanwhile, Donald “Taco” Trump is destroying the US economy by initiating trade wars with all and sundry.

When you have too much time on your hands, it’s difficult not to ponder on all the problems of the world.

My last post here was around three months ago. I had just seen a specialist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, who examined my eyes and discussed possible cataract surgery. We decided on surgery for both eyes: a lens implant in my left eye (the lens was removed when I was in my twenties because of a previous cataract), and lens removal and implant surgery in my right eye.

I felt fairly optimistic when I made that blog post, because I felt progress had been made. However, that was two months ago.

These are the steps that still have to be completed:

• A hospital appointment to measure both eyes, in order to manufacture the correct implants.

• An operation on both eyes, to remove my remaining lens and fit implants in both eyes.

• A four-week recuperation period, to allow my eyes to adjust.

• An appointment with my optician to get a prescription for reading glasses.

Each of these steps has to be done in order, and there is no timescale for the first two steps. We’re still talking months rather than weeks.

I feel that my eyesight is currently as bad as it will get - I can’t see at all with my right eye because of the cataract, and I can’t focus with my left eye because there is no lens there to focus.

Life isn’t terrible, but there are many daily difficulties.

It was Joyce’s birthday at the beginning of April, so I thought it would be a treat to take her to London for a couple of days. Navigating the London underground was interesting with my impaired site, but we managed. Because we were going to see ABBA Voyage again, we stayed at Snoozebox for two nights. It was very cramped, and we likely wouldn’t repeat the experience. The staff were very friendly, however. We also went to see Mamma Mia!, which we’d also seen before. Both shows were great, but clearly we will have to see them both again in the future after my operation.

Prior to having my eyes measured, I can’t wear my contact lenses for a period of at least two weeks. This is because hard gas permeable lenses affect the shape of your eyes, and the measurement wouldn’t be accurate. Once we got back from London, I made the decision that I would no longer wear contact lenses, and I have been provided with two pairs of glasses by my optician. This has taken a bit of getting used to, particularly because my peripheral vision is noticeably worse with glasses.

In May, our washing machine stopped working after many years of service. We decided to buy a new one, which is much better. Financially, I try to look on the bright side - this expense reduces our savings and makes it easier to claim Universal Credit. We are currently part way through the five-week process of applying for Universal Credit, and we don’t yet know the amount of our award. We won’t get the full amount, because we still have savings. In the process, we have to attend the job centre for meetings. Joyce has to accompany me, because stairs, crossing roads and using public transport are difficult because of my eyesight. However, the Job Centre staff are helping by making some meetings online.

Mostly, I listen to podcasts and audiobooks. I watch very little television because of the eye strain it causes. I’ve tried reading, but it is very difficult again because of eye strain. Currently, I’m trying to get through a book called Noir by K.W. Jeter. I didn’t know when I picked it up, but the protagonist has had a procedure on his eyes that causes him to see in black and white. Hopefully, I don’t end up like that.

 At some point I’ll be fit for work again, so I’ve been thinking about what my career would look like. I’ve been a software developer for over two decades, but I haven’t worked since August 2023. In addition, I’ll be 62 years old in July.

Ideally, I’d be using this time to do courses and keep up to date. Unfortunately, my eyesight stops me from doing that, because you don’t really learn by watching a video. You really have to be typing code to learn anything.

I may have to look at a different career, although I’m not really sure how you switch careers at my age. I’m open to any ideas.

I heard on the news that the UK government is investing more on defence. Perhaps I’ll have a role in the coming cyber war.