Before lock-down happened we were slowing down towards eventual retirement.
Fairly soon into lock-down we made the decision that we wouldn’t resume corporate lunches but would just continue with afternoon teas and vintage crockery hire once things returned to normal if they ever do!
Then a couple of months ago my lovely husband was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration of the eyes. At this point he decided that he wouldn’t return to doing afternoon teas either but maybe we would just do the vintage crockery hire.
Another month later at his monthly check up his eyes had worsened and he had to have the first of three monthly injections in his eye. At this point we made the decision that we would be fully retired.
The positive thing is that he won’t go completely blind as he will still retain peripheral vision. The condition means a loss of the central vision. There is a dry type and wet type. The wet is caused by blood vessels leaking and can cause lasting damage. The injection turns it back to the dry type. There is nothing else that can be done.
It can worsen slowly or quickly and the scary thing is that it has been quick. This has been a shock.
My lovely eldest son is helping us with ways to move forward. He has ordered us both a new phone so that we can learn to use it together and eventually learn to voice activate it. He has sent us a Google Home which is voice activated and a Google Chromecast which will connect to the television and we will get a bigger television eventually.
We are lucky that we don’t have to worry about money. Our mortgage is paid. Because of his age my husband has his pension, he is eight years older than me, but I won’t get mine for another six years however we are now spending much less because of the current situation.
I sold most of our catering equipment on eBay before lock-down. I then put it on hold. Now that I have run out of stock my eldest son suggested I look for free stuff on Facebook Market Place. I have picked up three free lots and am selling the items on eBay. This has become my job now. I will also sell the vintage crockery but I can’t bring myself to do that just yet as it is too sad.
This has been a difficult time of adjustment for us. I feel that as I have my small group of regular followers who I consider friends that it would be good to be honest and explain our current situation. We are trying to stay positive.
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So very sorry to hear about Richard’s affliction; my mother suffered from the same thing and I have to say that the leucentis injections did have a positive impact. There is huge support to be had. I’ll get my head around my mother’s experiences and email you.
XX
Thank you. Since Richard has been diagnosed we have discovered other peoples Mum’s that have it. It is quite common although we hadn’t heard of it before now. When you last e-mailed and asked if we were okay I didn’t know what to say so decided to write this post to let people know together rather than repeat myself. xx
P.S. I forgot to wish you both a happy retirement: it is not a decision I regret at all and it made me available to take my mother for her regular injections!
Thank you. I am happy to be retired but Richard was more worried about finding enough to do and then this threw something else at him. We both feel we don’t want to work any more now though.
So sorry to hear this Carol – it must be a terrible shock and adjustment for you both.
As David said I wish you a happy retirement with more time to spend with your beautiful girls and grandchildren xx
It has been as you say a shock and then an adjustment for us. We are now accepting retirement. More time is one thing but in these times it is more difficult to see further flung family. We are aiming to see the grandchildren soon. We have to do what we can while we can and technology will help. I now have google maps on my new phone which will help me to do the driving and be a bit more confident. xx
It is suprising how many people go through all this. I am afraid it do change your life, and those around you, but i know you can still find ways around the problems, and enjoy life. I hope soon things will settle, and then slow down. Love to you both. xx
I know that you understand all this more than anybody as Bob has had to live with this for a long time. We are lucky to have Steve to help with some technology. Love you too. xx
Firstly, happy retirement to both of you. I’m sorry to hear it was somewhat thrust upon you with the new medical news. My heart goes out to your husband. It sounds like an affliction that quite a few people suffer from, so hopefully you will get good advice and be able to talk to others about it. Take care. -Jenn
Thank you Jenn. We are just finding out how many people also have it but most are older than Richard. It is more common the older you get and apparently it effects one in five over ninety years of age. My step father has a similar condition but not exactly the same. Our next door neighbour’s mum has it and a friend’s mum. It is good to be able to talk to other people.