The "b" word

At my eye exam two weeks ago, I finally heard the word that I have been expecting to hear for several years: bifocals. No surprise at all; I have been finding it more and more difficult to read, and hold items four inches from my face and look over my glasses in order to see. Not good.

The eye tech was funny. She has obviously had some adverse reactions from people when she mentions the "b" word, so she was very cautious in her approach. She even said she would write the prescription both ways, single and bi, in case I did not want to get the bifocals. Oh, for goodness' sake - if I need them to read or knit, what is the big deal? I have worn Coke bottles for years, what's the big deal adding the bifocals? The ophthalmologist also gently suggested bifocals and I told him not to worry, I was on board.

I was warned by several people that adjusting to the bifocals might be difficult, especially when navigating stairs. Most of you know that grace is not one of my strong points, so navigating stairs, doorways and walls is always a bit of a challenge for me. When I left the optical shop this morning, I went down a flight of stairs before it occurred to me that I might need to be careful...and then I realized that there was no problem at all.

Other than the fact that I can see clearly now (cue the music), reading or not, I am not noticing much difference at all. Reading is comfortable, as in knitting, and although I catch myself reverting to old habits and peering over my glasses, I am quickly learning that I don't have to do that anymore.

Bifocals, schmifocals - at least I can see.

A deep sense of relief

The last seven days have been physically, mentally and emotionally tiring. As I mentioned before, I was seated on a medical malpractice case last Monday. I don't want to ever do anything like that again. We heard opening statements on Monday afternoon, followed by three full days of testimony. I won't go into details but I now know far more about bowel injuries than I ever wanted to know.

The defense rested late on Thursday afternoon. We heard closing statements on Friday morning, then formally received the case for deliberation just after lunch. We found for the defendant - the doctor - on the Informed Consent violation, but found for the plaintiff on the Standard of Care violation...awarded limited damages, however. It was a good group of people on the jury and even when we disagreed, it was respectful and thoughtful.

We were determined to work things out on Friday; the plaintiffs and defendant both deserved an answer and we didn't want to come back this morning, so we stayed a little late. I left the courthouse at 6:30 pm, drove home and changed clothes, and we were in the car headed to the Cub Scout campout before 7 pm.

Camping was, well, camping: buggy, muggy and dirty. See my account of last fall's campout if you want to know what it was like, only this time it did not rain.

I can't tell you how lovely it was to wake up this morning not in a tent, and to not go into courthouse to hear testimony. It will take me several days to catch up on housework, paperwork and errands, and to get my psyche back into alignment.