Back to page

Help Gaelene to Save Her Eyesight

  • Update Number 7

      16 May 2019

    Hi Everyone, First I must apologise for the delay in bringing you this update, for several reasons. In the wake of the Christchurch attacks and all it didn't feel right, and I have been waiting for my next Corneal Scan which turns out is in June. However, here I am now and I am pleased to say the Corneal Cross-Linking surgery on my left eye is Done !

    The surgery itself I didn't feel a thing but the recovery was hell! Oh my gosh excruciating pain and I had to remain in darkness for a week. I could not of managed without my darling Sister Leanne who is the Wind Beneath My Wings, and beautiful friends.

    Now I must wait until my next Corneal Scan, which will be in June, to know if the Cornea is better, the same, or worse. The hope of the surgery is either that it remains the same, a bonus if it is better, but worse is not what we want to hear. If its the same or better then we can say it has all been successful ! And, then another scan in six months time to confirm the findings.

    Oh my gosh it has been tense times, I may have to upgrade my glasses yet again !

    Once again thank you for coming on this journey with me, I couldn't of made it without you all. I am so very blessed indeed.

    Lotsa big hugs, Gaelene

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Update Number 6

      1 February 2019

    Hello everybody, I hope everyone had a joyous Christmas and your New Year is off to a good start.

    I called an elderly friend of mine today, she is 90 years young. I asked how she is, she said "I'm great firing on all six"

    Well, on 12th February (not long to go), I am going to Greenlane Hospital, Auckland to have my first eye surgery. The surgeons are going to do Corneal Cross-linking on my left eye. (which is what I call my good eye). The idea is to halt the progression of the disease in that eye. Technology cannot give me back the sight I have lost in this eye but it can stop it getting any worse, and ending up like the right eye which has to have a corneal transplant. I guess one thing at a time aye, I'm trying not to look too far ahead, just get over this one first !

    I have to admit, I am nervous. They are messing with my good eye here, I'm terrified inside. I guess I'm more scared of after surgery when my vision is going to be very blurry. Let me tell you what they do. They peel back the surface of my eye, then drip Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) into my eye for a period of time, then they zap it with a UV light, put the surface back and slap a contact lense on it which acts as a bandage and stays in for 3 - 5 days. All of this hardens the cornea so it cannot thin anymore.

    I'm trusting all will go well, once again thank you for all your love and support. My sister will be with me which is a great relief. Money donated to date has helped with getting my glasses, my contact lenses optician fees, and accommodation etc. I have to return to Auckland four times for follow-ups - six weeks, three months, six months and one year. So I'm looking at one year before the first eye is cleared. And then its onward toward the transplant for the other one but that will be another story aye. In the meantime I shall keep the attitude of sheer grit and determination and just Go Do It !

    Big hugs to everyone...Gaelene x

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Update Number 5

      5 December 2018

    Hi Everyone, I hope all is well in your worlds. Here goes...I now have some new glasses $900 for them but there is an improvement in my eyesight, I now have a legal driving sight in my left eye which to me is worth a million dollars ! ...Yippee! Also, they have been a long time coming but I have my contact lenses now too. They are very special lenses made especially for my warped eyes, learning to put them in is a bit of a trick!..The first day it took me 5 hours to get them in my eyes. It is now taking me 1 hour so I'm getting there. I must find my own knack or technique, the problem is my eye lids are tight, it is impossible to raise my top eyelids. So I have these little jelly bowls (that's what I call them lol) that I must pull down my lower lid place the jelly bowl and kind of push it up under the top lid. Oh its loads of fun ! Though I must say my vision is improved once they are in my eyes.

    I am on the waiting list for Corneal Crosslinking surgery in my left eye, and hoping the wait wont be too long, also I have got new eyedrops which are an immuno-suppressant for my eyes, hoping these will help too.

    Once again, thank you with all my heart for all your help and support, without you these things would not be possible...new glasses, contacts etc..Wow Yippee

    I will be sure to keep you updated on my progress. Surgery is gonna be scary, messing with my good eye...eeek!

    Merry Christmas everyone big hugs...Gaelene xx

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Update Number 4

      19 October 2018

    Hi Everyone, I made it to Greenlane Hospital and back safe and sound on 12th October, so here is an update on where we are at.

    I went expecting them to fix the right eye, but the surgeons are going to work on my left eye (my good eye) first. In January I will be having Corneal Cross-linking performed on my left eye which will stabilise it ... It will not give me back the sight I have already lost in this eye but it will halt the progression of the disease .

    In the meantime I am getting contact lenses, they should arrive next week...yahoo! So, I must learn to use them and care for them. My right eye's cornea is warped and beyond any treatment other than a Corneal Graft (transplant) which will be discussed with the surgeons when I go back in January.

    It's a big long rocky journey ahead, its spooky yet it has to be done.

    Thank you with all my heart for your help and support it means the world to me, and I will continue to keep you updated. Big hugs, Gaelene

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Update Number 3

      23 September 2018

    Hi Everyone, I have great news ! I have my appointment with the Eye Surgeons at Greenlane Hospital on 12th October. Yay ! I am so happy that things are moving along now. Thank you once again for all your love and support and I will keep you informed of progress. x

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Update Number 2

      12 September 2018
    Main image

    Hi Everyone, well I have some more news. I have now been fitted for a hard contact lens for my right eye. That;s just a fitting. The first and second trial felt like I had an eyelash in my eye ! but the 3rd one was feeling Ok. I have to go back to have the left eye fitted and then eventually I will have a pair of contact lenses that will hopefully improve my eyesight enough until I get my surgery.

    I am still waiting my urgent appointment to see the Eye Surgeons at Greenlane Hospital, Auckland. The waiting is difficult I have to muster up all much patience.!

    Once again to all the beautiful people who have donated and anyone walking this walk with me, I am filled with gratitude and give thanks to you. Big hugs, Gaelene xx

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Update Number One

      29 August 2018
    Main image

    Hi everyone, I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the kind peoples who have donated to help me fight this battle. Love and hugs.

    So, let me bring you up to date with whats happening with my eyes. I am awaiting an urgent appointment with the team of Eye Surgeons at Greenlane Hospital, Auckland. It appears my right eye is beyond any treatment to improve it, so I will be having to have a Corneal Transplant ! I am still in the dark about my left eye...woops oh dear lol lol

    I just realized what I said :"in the dark"...get it !

    Seriously I do not know if the progression in my left eye can be halted yet.

    In the meantime, because my glasses don't work anymore, I am going to try gas-permeable contact lenses (hard contact lenses) in the hope they will improve the vision especially in the left eye. Although, it is debatable whether my eyes will or can tolerate the lenses, but its worth a try right ?

    Once again thank you... cant say it enough...

    Hugs Gaelene

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment