I went back to Moorfields last Friday for my check-up. This was to find out if there had been any improvement in my graft or whether the rejection diagnosed four weeks previously had continued. When I saw the Registrar he confirmed what I had thought, there was no improvement and I would need to have a re-graft. My previous graft on that eye was 22 years ago, so I guess it’s done me well.
When the Consultant came to discuss the surgery with me, he explained that not only would he be giving me a new corneal graft but that he would also be removing the cataract which is also growing on my right eye. I didn’t realise that it was possible to do both procedures at the same time. He reassured me, but did remind me that the chances of graft rejection are higher when having a second graft. I completely forgot to ask if he will also implant a lens, but I’m due to see him a couple of weeks before the surgery, so I will remember to check with him then.
The surgery will not be until September. That was partly my decision, as my daughter was abroad when I had the partial re-graft on my left eye last year, and she very much wants to be with me because of the poor nursing care I had last time. She will not be home until next month and I also need the time to try and get my care package increased for my postoperative period. All of this is complicated by the fact that I will have to been in hospital overnight again as I will be having a general anaesthetic. I have previously had severe reactions to local anaesthetics.
I’m not worried about having a general anaesthetic, but am very concerned about my post-operative care, as last time nursing staff did not understand my need to use my wheelchair for all mobilisation, that my balance is poor and that I have restricted movement and poor grip in my left arm. So I need help transferring from bed to wheelchair and back again.
Because of my concerns, I spoke to Jasmine, the lovely Specialist Nurse at Moorfields and she has given me contact details for the Specialist Nurse at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, South London, where my operation will take place. This will enable me to talk through my needs and hopefully meet with ward staff so that they understand how I should be nursed. Even though my daughter will be at the hospital with me, I don’t want her to have to be battling with nursing staff to ensure I get appropriate care.
Following my partial re-graft surgery last year, my surgical care was excellent, but nursing staff had no idea how to care for someone using a wheelchair who also needed help with many activities. All of this was complicated by the fact that my operated left eye is the one in which I have most vision, so immediately post surgery I had very little vision, which the nurses failed to take into account when they wanted me to do things, such as going alone to a room at the end of the ward that I couldn’t see well enough to navigate to. Also, despite telling staff I was Jewish, the breakfast I was offered was a ham sandwich!! It seemed very difficult to provide me with anything more appropriate. My letter of complaint did not get a particularly re-assuring response, hence my apprehension.
But until I have my surgery, I will be enjoying the lovely summer weather and spending as much time as I can getting out and about.
I would also be interested in hearing from anyone who has had both a corneal graft and cataract removal at the same time.
Life from my Wheelchair 
Comments on: "Corneal Rejection Update" (1)
[…] I have now had a second transplant in each eye. The first two surgeries were over 25 years ago. My last two transplants were carried out in 2016 and 2017. Most my outpatient care has been at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. My surgeries took place at St George’s Tooting. My surgical care was fantastic. The nursing care, sadly, was not as good as it should have been. I’ve blogged about this previously. […]