The Eyetastrophe
I’ve made no secret about the fact that I have had huge issues with adult cystic acne over the past 6 months. So bad, that we finally turned to the bug gun – Accutane. Trust me, I did not take this step lightly, and I heard about it from just about everyone in my life. To get on Accutane, you have to clear 2 months of pregnancy tests and swear to baby jesus that you will use 2 forms of birth control while taking the drug. They are SERIOUS.
Everyone warned me it would be drying. That my lips would crack. That there would be joint pain. That skin would peel off my face in sheets. And yes, of course I knew my eyes would get dry – but nothing – NOTHING – prepared me for what happened this week while I was in New York City for a Nintendo event.
Basically, my corneas dried up like a prune overnight and gave me the big middle finger when it came to, you know – SEEING.
We had a huge day planned with the Nintendo people, and I really TRIED to go. But when I was standing in the middle of Nintendo World Store groping from aisle to aisle, everything blurring, tears streaming down my face, I knew something was seriously wrong.
I called my doctor, and she was concerned I had pink eye, that she never had a patient react the way I was describing – she wanted me to get to urgent care asap. The funny thing is, NYC has everything, except for urgent care, apparently. The closest one was in NEW JERSEY. At least covered by my insurance. So I headed for Mt. Sinai ER, and experienced everything they show in big city medical TV. The screaming, the firemen scrambling, the crazy people, everything.
This is when I feel soooooo lucky for friends in social media, because a lovely lady there in New York swooped in like a superhero and got me in to her ophthalmologist on an emergency late day appointment.
Doesn’t that sound much better than waiting for hours and hours and hours in the ER?
Hell yeas.
The doctor dilated me, and oh my. My corneas were bone dry and seriously PISSED OFF.
The answer? Gooping them up for several days with ointments, and staying out of bright lights – much like the bright lights of the Nintendo 3DS Launch Party I was supposed to be attending that night. The one where I was going to play with the first 3D gaming unit ever that didn’t require 3D glasses. The one that Samantha Ronson was DJing at. The one where Sweatpantsmom and I were going to have a girl-date, and dance all night long.
Yeah, that one.
But CLEARLY my eyes are more important, and I must send much love to the Nintendo people, who felt the same way, and tucked me into my pitch black hotel room before they headed out into the night. They even kissed me on the head.
And a painful night it was. But more importantly – SCARY. This could seriously affect my career! Design, photography? OMG. I was freaking out. I repeat for the 50,000th time in my life: Bryan is a saint who supports me in every way, through every freak-out of my life.
The good news – my eyes are much better. I see the eye doctor on Monday and we’ll have a serious talk about Accutane. The concern being, before I started, cysts were pushing into my eyes – so… damned if I do, damned if I don’t.
2011 is not starting in the best way, friends.
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Blogger Disclosure: Travel expenses for the trip were covered by Nintendo.
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I wish you all the best in healing from both your eye trauma and your cysts. I hope this damned if you do/damned if you don’t situations clears itself up before too long. (Ain’t I punny).
glad your home and safe. I want to tuck you in my pocket little bird.
wow, Aimee – that is insane! feel better soon!
oh goodness, that sounds AWFUL! I hope you can figure something out with your doctor.
What a bummer!!! That stuff sounds scary!
yikes! i hope they figure it out, you really don’t want to have to be like Bono & wear sunglasses all the time 😉
Man that sucks! I know you were pretty hesitant to use this stuff and now this. Ugh.
Let me know if you need more sunglasses, I have many pairs.
So scary 🙁 Wishing you the best in finding a solution!
oh, no! That must have hurt like hell. So sorry!
Yikes! I know you’re going to be okay friend. Keep those dark glasses on and your spirits up. XO
I’m glad you are okay Aimee! I was just thinking if your sight isn’t back 100% by Sunday night, I may have a shot to make the top 10 for Greeblepix.
Okay maybe that’s a long shot. I hope you know I’m just trying to make you laugh.
I was squirming as I was reading this. I am so sorry that this happened when it was supposed to be such a fun time. I hope that the doctor can figure something out for you that works.
That sounds so scary! I am glad you were able to get immediate help and that people were there to care for you. I really hope the doc can figure something out because being in damned if I do, damned if I don’t situation is insanely frustrating. I’m sure you just want your life back. I’m sorry you’re going through all this.
I am so thinking of you xo
Thank goodness for social media!
Glad you are home and safe.
Lots of love from the OKC contingent. Thinking good thoughts… 🙂
OH NO! I hope you are feeling better! – m
sooo scary!! Glad you are okay!
Ack, ack all around. Wishing you speedy recovery!
Crapicola! I sure hope you can find the healthiest solution to this problem. 🙁 Good luck, my friend.
Oh wow – I cannot imagine. I hope that you are 100% well soon. Scary!