Eye Test–encore…
Just back from my annual eye test.
I used to drive ten minutes to our local town for the test with the phlegmatic and methodical M. Nguyen. He retired last year and as ophthalmologists are becoming a rarer breed I am lucky that Meredith’s doctor agreed to see me in a clinic close to Toulouse–albeit an hour and quarter drive from here.
The procedure hasn’t changed although the equipment on offer now makes for a less intimate relationship with your specialist, which may or may not be a plus.
This is what I wrote back in February 2011:
Eye Test–(15/2/2011)
Arrive–present my Carte Vitale (the card accessing the French health care system)–take a seat in the waiting room.
“Monsieur Ellis?
Put your chin on the strap please and place your forehead against the bar—look straight ahead and don’t move”.
The forced intimacy of doctor and patient is strange. As he leans forward and shines his special torch deep into my eyes, we are eyeball to eyeball. For a moment I feel like the Man in the Iron Mask, receiving a visit.
The short pause before he says–pas de diabetes [no sign of diabetes], is a bit nerve-wracking; on occasion I’ve caught myself crossing my fingers under the table—though I forgot this morning!
Phew-another year gone!
I learned early on, that managing Type 2 Diabetes involves more than watching what you eat—it’s really a head to toe job!
The villain sugar is a ruthless foe. It will take advantage of any weaknesses with alacrity, and insinuate itself into those vulnerable spots like eyes and feet if you drop your guard, causing damage that cannot be reversed….
Being tested has become part of life again. Just like schooldays.
I see Cyril for feet every three months and have a blood test to check cholesterol and glucose levels as often.
No big deal really—when your life depends on it.
Pas de diabete! Encore phew!
Less than 15 minutes after “the summons“, I had paid 27 euros for the consultation (to be reimbursed later), made an appointment for February next year and was searching for my car key outside in the cold.
Apart from the increased sophistication of the machinery the only thing different about today’s session was that I remembered to cross my fingers–still works!
Blood test next week for: blood sugar level, heart, kidneys, liver, blood pressure and prostate and Cyril for my feet.
No big deal really–if your life depends on it.
