Help Save Dave's Eyesight
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Hi! My name's Dave. Thanks for reading my story.
In August 2016, I started to lose my eyesight. Apparently I'd already lost most of the sight in my left eye and was compensating with my right... and then my right eye started to go as well. The short and brutal diagnosis: detached retinas in both eyes, dark cataract in the left eye, and a developing cataract in the right eye.
To save as much of my vision as possible, a series of surgeries was started immediately. The doctors went after the newer retinal detachment first, the one in my right eye, because that gave the best chance of saving the biggest part of my vision. After the first detachment repair on the right eye, another piece of the same retina (outside the original repair) also detached, and a second retina repair on that eye was required. In-office laser surgery was also needed to repair a couple of small tears in that retina in between the two detachments.
The left cataract was then replaced, that being needed before work on that retina could begin. So when I opened this campaign, I'd been in the hospital three times for surgeries, plus one in-office laser surgery, and was about to go to the hospital a fourth time. At that point I was just barely able enough to see the computer screen to type my initial story, mistakes and all.
This paragraph is what I wrote back in early December: "The left retinal detachment is more complex and will require at least two surgeries; let's hope it's only two! The right cataract will also need replacement, once that eye has recovered sufficiently from the retina surgery. So I've had three oprations already and am looking at three (I hope ONLY three) more."
If you read the updates you'll see that it didn't turn out to be quite that straightforward...
All these surgeries cost, of course, and most of it is out of pocket. Plus I am unable to work during all this -- much of the recovery so far has involved extremely poor vision, and I still don't see well enough to drive. So the non-medical bills are all past due as well.
Your contributions will go towards paying my medical expenses and getting us caught up on everything else. I initially estimated needing about $10K as soon as possible, and another 10K per month for the first several months of 2017. It's a tall order but every little bit helps. I know lots of you aren't in a position to give much, but please spread the word! If several hundred -- or even a THOUSAND -- people give, then the average gift doesn't need to be big.
Thanks for reading my story and I hope you will help in whatever way you can.
In August 2016, I started to lose my eyesight. Apparently I'd already lost most of the sight in my left eye and was compensating with my right... and then my right eye started to go as well. The short and brutal diagnosis: detached retinas in both eyes, dark cataract in the left eye, and a developing cataract in the right eye.
To save as much of my vision as possible, a series of surgeries was started immediately. The doctors went after the newer retinal detachment first, the one in my right eye, because that gave the best chance of saving the biggest part of my vision. After the first detachment repair on the right eye, another piece of the same retina (outside the original repair) also detached, and a second retina repair on that eye was required. In-office laser surgery was also needed to repair a couple of small tears in that retina in between the two detachments.
The left cataract was then replaced, that being needed before work on that retina could begin. So when I opened this campaign, I'd been in the hospital three times for surgeries, plus one in-office laser surgery, and was about to go to the hospital a fourth time. At that point I was just barely able enough to see the computer screen to type my initial story, mistakes and all.
This paragraph is what I wrote back in early December: "The left retinal detachment is more complex and will require at least two surgeries; let's hope it's only two! The right cataract will also need replacement, once that eye has recovered sufficiently from the retina surgery. So I've had three oprations already and am looking at three (I hope ONLY three) more."
If you read the updates you'll see that it didn't turn out to be quite that straightforward...
All these surgeries cost, of course, and most of it is out of pocket. Plus I am unable to work during all this -- much of the recovery so far has involved extremely poor vision, and I still don't see well enough to drive. So the non-medical bills are all past due as well.
Your contributions will go towards paying my medical expenses and getting us caught up on everything else. I initially estimated needing about $10K as soon as possible, and another 10K per month for the first several months of 2017. It's a tall order but every little bit helps. I know lots of you aren't in a position to give much, but please spread the word! If several hundred -- or even a THOUSAND -- people give, then the average gift doesn't need to be big.
Thanks for reading my story and I hope you will help in whatever way you can.
Organizer
Ddot Montuori
Organizer
Chantilly, VA
