lone_ghost Loc: Wisconsin

I was not going to put this here but it was actually my wife who has been arguing with me that suggested it, so here it is.

As many know, I lost 60% of the vision in my right eye during my military service. That was over twenty years ago and I have adapted. I can hunt, drive, work, with my glasses I see just fine, I do ok.

The reason I have the loss of vision is that I have a piece of shrapnel buried in my brain that is pushing on my optic nerve. It is stable and has not moved in all those years. They did not remove it because it would cause too much damage to surrounding tissue to reach it.
They have a new surgical procedure that has been successfully performed 3 times with 1 failure. That's one in three.
I could get this surgery and possibly regain up to 45-60% of my vision.
This is brain surgery, I have a chunk of metal in my brain that has been there a very long time.
I could die of course as with any surgery, but the one that gets me is that I could end up completely blind in my right eye rather than partially blind. Or I could gain vision.
Some one please tell me what you would do if given the choice. The surgery is covered, cost is not a factor. It really scares the hell out of me to be honest.

bahmer

I'm 70 years young and at my age I probably would not go for the surgery. Now if I was younger and based on your statement I just might go for it. However I would spend some time in prayer first. I don't remember as to your faith or whether you are a christian or atheist but I would seek the Lords face and follow him. Most likely he will give you a comfort about the surgery if it is go.

alex Loc: michigan now imperial beach californa

I am really glad it's not my decision but I believe Bahmer gave some outstanding advice

lone_ghost Loc: Wisconsin

I just turned 48, I have prayed, my wife is all for it. God has given me no answer. Dying is not a factor (if I die I will not care anyway right)? So best case, I gain some vision, worst case, I become completely blind in that eye or suffer irreversible brain damage.
I am really leaning towards leaving well enough alone.

bmac32 Loc: West Florida

Wow, that's a tough choice. What is the chance of it doing more damage as you get older? The older you get the less chance for them to do this I would think. They have come along way in what they can do but that 66% would bother me. I lost 20% of my hearing in my right ear but have told to leave it alone. ME, I would not test it, not until they have a better success rate.

God, good luck in wh**ever you do.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

For what it is worth, I would not have the operation. First, the procedure is too new. Second, you have adapted. Third, I would only have someone cutting on my brain if there were no other choice. And, last but certainly not the least, if something should happen to you we would all be much poorer. So, that is my opinion of what I would do if it were my problem. Good luck!

lone_ghost Loc: Wisconsin

You know, that is how I look at it. I have adapted to my situation, I have learned to improvise. I only posted this on here because my wife wanted to know what you all said about it. She thinks I should do it, I think I am fine the way I am.

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

I am somewhat familiar with this procedure. The # of patients is low. Were it me I would want to know everything about the surgeon. How many surgeries have they done? What training have they had with this equipment? Have they performed this procedure before.
There is always a risk of the shrapnel migrating causing you to lose sight in that eye anyway, or worse. Tough call either way.

lone_ghost Loc: Wisconsin

Like I said, I am pretty comfortable with the shrapnel staying right where it is. My wife made me put it out there. It is enticing, but the risks, I would rather have diminished vision correctable by lenses than total blindness in that eye. You know?

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

Yep. There's no rush. Who knows, that particular procedure may get better and reduce the risk.

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

No. :thumbdown:

GERARD A. SANCHEZ Loc: Las Vegas, Nv. 89123

It is difficult situation get as many Dr. second opinions

Ricktloml

Since you have prayed about it and don't feel you have received guidance on this matter , it may be best to wait a bit until it is a procedure that has been done more often, especially if you don't feel any urgency

octive9

Tough situation. I might not be the best one to be giving advice on something like this because I have almost no faith in our medical system. I do have a lot of faith in God, but it took me years to get where I am now. Most people go to God after exhausting medical options, I go to God first.

One reason I so am down on material medicine is that it pretty much ignores the foundation of health - nutrition. It is just not taught in medical schools. Several years ago a retired doctor told me how much they have improve on nutritional training in medical school in 50 years. They used to laugh at it for 20 minutes out of their entire medical training - now they laugh at it for an hour.

I don't know if it would be helpful in your situation, but I do know of a nutritional product that I have seen bring people back from the brink of death, and it doesn't seem to matter much what the problem is. If you are interested, let me know and I will tell you more.

banpc27

first off,,,how old are you? its sounds as if your living a normal fulfilling life,,,sounds as if your happy with it,,,why temp fate with a operation that might work. if it was me i'd leave well enough alone,,,save the gambling for vegas. good luck either way....