One-Year Eye-niversary

Many a bee has blogged about significant celebrations, often, in the process, creating a term to describe the event, like the engage-a-versary, the meet-a-versary, the date-a-versary...even the pre-versary.

Well, here's a new one. One year ago, I made my most expensive wedding purchase to date...

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...new eyes! About a week ago, I celebrated my left eye-niversary, and now I'm coming up on my right eye-niversary. Okay, let me explain...

I'd had very poor vision for most of my life. For ten years, contact lenses were a perfectly acceptable solution -- they weren't always 100% comfortable, but they permitted me to see clearly and not be self-conscious in glasses (since I required a strong prescription that resulted in thick lenses).

In spring 2007, though, I started experiencing considerable pain while wearing my contacts. My optometrist was stumped, so after several months, and on BruschettAunt Cino's recommendation, I sought the opinion of an ophthalmologist.

At my first visit, Dr. Stein entered the treatment room, and immediately asked if I'd ever been diagnosed with rosacea. I was taken aback, since my skin doesn't exhibit any of the hallmark redness or bumps of the skin disease. Although I resisted this diagnosis, Dr. Stein's initial observation did in fact accurately identify the issue I'd been having with my contacts. My rosacea doesn't impact my skin much, but it did render me unable to wear contact lenses without feeling extreme discomfort and exhibiting itchy, red eyes far worse than my most severe seasonal allergies.

You may have noticed that in one of my previous posts, I'm wearing small-framed glasses. I really did enjoy my funky frames, but after wearing lenses for over 10 years, I knew I didn't want to spend the rest of my life exclusively in glasses.

And yet, that was the decision I was facing: glasses (forever) or corrective vision surgery. For me, it really wasn't a tough choice -- especially since I'd always had the idea in the back of my mind that I would, one day, "fix" my vision for good. It's true my rosacea did inspire me to act more quickly than I'd been planning -- I had originally envisioned (::wink wink::) waiting until I was at least in my mid-30s before seriously considering an operation. So, I researched my options, read through studies, and made sure I was totally comfortable with the process before proceeding.

Said abysmal vision -- coupled with the tendency for my eyes to get dry very easily -- meant I wasn't a candidate for LASIK. Fortunately, there was a lesser-known option -- which has been used in Europe for about 15 years, and in the U.S. for the past five -- for which I did qualify: ICL, which stands for implantable collamer lens.

I won't go into the nitty-gritty details of the operation here (for any sensitive stomachs out there), but you can read about it here, or PM me to hear more about my experience. Honestly, the thought of this procedure disgusted me early on, but after I considered the alternative and met my surgeon, Dr. Wallace, I realized ICL was a great way to fix a vexing problem.

Each surgery (yes, one per eye, two weeks apart -- thus two eye-niversaries) went very well, and Dr. Wallace (with whom I've had several follow-ups during this first year of new eye-dom) has repeatedly told me that she’s “very pleased” and “so happy.” Having gone from a -7.0 PWR (yeah, that doesn't make any sense to me, either -- trust me, I couldn't read any of the letters on the doctor's charts without glasses) to my 20/20 vision amazes me on a daily basis, so I echo her sentiments.

(For you number crunchers out there, here's the not-so-fun news: Yes, ICL is expensive -- about double the cost of LASIK, in fact. However, I was able to secure a two-year, zero interest financing plan for my new eyes. And, after doing the math, I realized the cost -- which includes all post-operative care, the two custom-made implantable lenses and as well as the operations -- is equal to the amount I would have spent on new glasses or contact lens prescriptions for the rest of my life.)

I hope the hive won't judge me too harshly for going through with an elective procedure that was (admittedly) inspired by my upcoming wedding. Was it a little vain? Maybe. But not a day goes by that I don't stop and think -- often with a big, goofy grin on my face -- about how amazing it is that I'm seeing oh-so clearly without the assistance of glasses or contacts.

Are you celebrating any unique anniversaries? Did you push up any medical procedures with your wedding in mind?

Bridal Bonus!

The Bruschetta wedding is easy fodder for small talk -- and, as I learned at a recent dental appointment, may lead to pleasant surprises!

During my cleaning, the hygienist was particularly talkative. When possible ('cause, ya know, my mouth was sorta occupied) I happily gabbed away as well, mentioning my love of wedding blogs and plans for our modern-meets-classic summer soiree. We were still chatting when the dentist came in for his portion of the appointment.

Now, for a little dental background. At 19, I had a gum grafting operation on seven of my lower teeth. My receding gums (partly due to genetics, and partly to orthodontics) if left untreated, would have eventually led to exposed roots -- and the possible loss of these teeth by the age of 30 -- so I didn't really have a choice.

The surgery was a success, but because of my sensitive gums, I won't ever be able to use whitening strips to brighten my smile. Drinking red wine or coffee means I'm either brushing my teeth soon thereafter, or chasing the beverage with water. But I still get irked that my pearlies aren't as white as they could be.

Meanwhile, back in the dental chair...

"Oh, you're getting married? At the end of the summer? Well, I'll tell you what. Make an appointment to come in a few days before the wedding, and I'll give your teeth a complimentary polishing. How's that for a wedding gift?"

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This little Bruschetta was super thrilled when my dentist offered this option. I think this August will be the first time I'm actually looking forward to a dental appointment!

Have you received any surprise freebies or other "bridal bonuses"?

Dehydrated And Delicious

In an effort to save money and eat well, I bring my lunch to work each day. It usually doesn't vary much -- PB & J on wheat bread, an apple, yogurt, baby carrots -- and allows me to "graze" throughout the day, eating parts of what I packed as I feel hungry.

But it can get boring. A dull lunch leads to cravings, and cravings lead to sweets...and then portion control and calorie counting fly out the window!

Since I've been (admittedly) slacking on my gym workouts recently, and will begin wedding dress alterations in less than a month, making the right food choices is important. When I get the nibbles, I've been reaching for one of two healthy snacks.

1) Golden Raisins

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What's not to love? Sweet, delicate flavor -- just watch out for little bits of leaves and twigs that occasionally get caught in the packaging.

2) Snapea Crisps

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Mr. Bruschetta turned me on to these. "Dehydrated snow pea" doesn't sound like the most appetizing option out there, but it turns out Mrs. Snow Pea's parched stand-in is delicious -- and, for 150 calories, you can have 22 pieces.

What are your go-to healthy (but also tasty!) snacks?

In Sickness

Despite a visit to the doctor yesterday evening, my breathing difficulties weren't improving much. By now, I had a diagnosis -- bronchitis -- and I was wary it might worsen into pneumonia.

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Not wanting to spend another sleepless night gasping for air, I followed my doctor's advice and decided to go to the hospital for treatment. My entourage -- mom, dad and Chris -- accompanied me, but I sent my parents home after an hour. (Call it hospital guilt: I didn't want so many people losing sleep on my account.)

As we waited for my name to be called -- to treat what we by then knew definitively was bronchitis -- Chris made sure I continued to hydrate (to bring the fever down), helped make me comfortable (with a cushy pillow) and tried to ease my mind (by talking through the pictures saved on his cell phone). I felt safe and loved, as we discussed what he noticed in my x-ray (an empty stomach, because I didn't have much of an appetite!) and how prednisone would help treat my bronchitis. (Don't forget -- Chris is nearly a fully-qualified doctor of physical therapy! And, conveniently enough, he used to work as a PT aide at the hospital we visited.)

All night, I recited a litany of apologies -- and each time, Chris hushed me. When we left the ER (a little before 2:00 a.m.), I was breathing easier, thanks to the aforementioned oral steroid, and a brief nebulizer treatment -- and Chris's watchfulness and care.

This wasn't the first health-related issue we've gone through as a couple -- we've each had several surgeries (most recently, my "implants"), and for the first few months of our relationship, I was on bedrest with mono. But with the wedding fast approaching, "in sickness and in health" loomed large in my mind. I will, of course, be sure to follow Chris's reiterative admonition ("Take care of yourself!"). However, it feels pretty nice to know I have someone looking our for me, as well.

Supporting the Girls

Not those. My cups definitely do not runneth over, so I'm referring instead to these girls.

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And my tootsies are temperamental, at best.

I first started having issues in spring 2007, as Mr. Bruschetta and I were training for our first 5K. Three strikes -- improper technique (yup, I was a toe runner), unfamiliar terrain (I had been on an inside track, and transitioned too quickly to an asphalt path) and a falling arch (my Achilles heel, if you will) -- left me limping along with shin splints mere days before the run.

Stubborn and foolish, but determined to complete the 5K, I ran on my shin splints. In the coming weeks, I'd regret that decision, as I was forced away from cardio machines and into the pool for the lowest-impact workout possible -- I'm buoyant, but so not a swimmer!

At this point, Mr. Bruschetta stepped in, with access to myriad physical therapy resources. With help, I began strengthening exercises, amazed at how weak (and lacking proper balance!) I was. We visited a foot-oriented specialty shop, and with the addition of over-the-counter orthotics, my tired soles fell no longer.

I've learned if I don't keep up with stretches and exercises, the discomfort may come back. And, believe it or not, running is one of the best things I've been able to do for myself.

I spend the majority of my time in sneakers now, but can't wait to start searching for cuter, wedding-appropriate shoes. One night of impractical footwear shouldn't do too much harm, right?

Dizzying Day

For at least the last 10 years, when I've caught a cold, it's obligingly followed the same formula: fatigue, sore throat, nasal congestion and a lingering cough to finish it off.

Most of my recent illnesses have fallen closely on the heels of a renewed interest in weightlifting at the gym; what I perceive as "good" soreness (or, DOMs) turns out to be the start of a cold (what an unfair trick to play on me!). I'm not sure who or what is to blame this time: the germ-infested gym, or coughing colleagues, or something else not on my radar.

Further complicating matters, the cold that came to call today has sought to be unique, and therefore decided to acquaint itself with my (by and large controlled) asthma. Result? A sleepless night, since it's a challenge to get any rest when you can barely breathe. And a reintroduction to my inhalers.

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It's most likely the placebo effect, since I'm sure the inhalers have been expired for at least two years. But I puff, breathe quickly, deeply and the dizzying feeling starts to dissipate.