Damn, My Eyes.

Watch the LASIK video, see the park.  Do you know how
distracted I was during this part?

Today it has been raining, finally bringing a measure of cool to the hot season here in the BKK.  I'm inspired to write a post about my recent medical experiences, especially since the heat and the humidity means I'm constantly pushing my glasses up my nose and wiping off the rain or fog.

I've wanted to get LASIK for years now.  Contacts and glasses have become the bane of my existence (not really, but let's say so for the current argument).  They are pretty annoying, always in the way.  They are also sometimes useful, hiding my eyes so no one can notice that I don't bother with makeup.

Either way, I made up my mind this month that now was the time, and so I promptly made an appointment at this place called TRSC in Bangkok, recommended to me by a coworker.  My appointment was last Saturday, following a Bangkok librarian's meeting in a similar part of town.  I'm sure that you're overwhelmed with the thrilling life that I lead overseas.

This place is gorgeous.

The place was easy to find, especially with the phone that gives me endless information for the taxi men.  The elevator in the building was less easy to find, but I eventually found myself on floor 6: TRSC.  I was late enough that I got a phone call right as I was about to get into the elevator.

Once I got upstairs, I was greeted by my personal consultant.  Little did I know that this woman would follow me around for the rest of my (nearly 3 hour) pre-op appointment.  She was amazingly useful.  They took my information, and I filled out my little registration form, which of course asked me about my hobbies: "reading, sports, internet."

My consultant and I walked around to all these rooms in this maze-like environment getting test after test that I had never had in the States.  The place and the people are pristine.  Each time I got a test, the technician would grab an ipad and ask me to rate their service with the 4 smiley face system I've seen in a few different airports.

Let me see if I can remember all the tests I took:
One flashing one that tested the cornea?
One where I had to look at a target picture (I had to do this one a couple times... I did it wrong).
One where the guy had a telescope-esque tool that fit on my eye.
Several where I had to read series of numbers and test my sight.
One with a blinking red dot.
Another flashing one that looked like it was designed by people on drugs.
One where the doctor lady looked at my eyes.
One where the doctor lady poked my eyes with a plastic stick (more pleasant than it sounds).

Coffee, Popcorn, Cookies.... what more do you need?

I'm sure I'm missing something.  They were all too efficient, moving me from room to room with the most polite people I've ever encountered.

They also had me watch this "movie" about LASIK and the risks and expectations so that I would be informed.  They sat me down at a computer, then offered me coffee and popcorn.  Yes, please.  I got seconds on the popcorn because it was a very long presentation.  I also found myself somewhat distracted given the computer room had a picture window that overlooked Lumphini park and Bangkok.

They also dilated my eyes, which I found made it so I couldn't see my phone with my glasses on, and couldn't see anything else with my glasses off.  That was entertaining.

The glasses graveyard.

Of course, one thing I had to do in order to get LASIK surgery is get an HIV test (because the one I got in August is too far back).  No problem.  I decided to check out the local hospital in my village, which was an experience in itself.  I feel like I experienced two levels of medical service in the Thailand.

This hospital... I have no clue the name... is full of humans, of various levels of working and busi-ness.  The majority are young women, almost always wearing this odd shade of blue polyester uniform and a hair piece with a bow and net to hold the large bulk of hair that many Thai women have.

I get in, sit down, get my weight and blood pressure checked (and why?).  One lady sits me down and proceeds to draw my blood (without gloves on).  Oh, boy. Never coming here again. Then they charge me about $25 for the time and effort, and while I wait I get the pleasure of watching the holiday festivities.

Today is the Coronation Day of the King.  The part that I caught of the holiday was the King getting pushed in his wheelchair down to the van.  I later catch a bit more with the monks, then some with him in the bit fancy room in Wat Phra Kaew.  It's full of tradition, and many nurses were watching the television raptly.

I grabbed my results after I did a bit of shopping (seeking some materials for Jade's Under the Sea party), and noticed the complete lack of privacy in the hospital.  My results from the last hospital came in a sealed package that I had to open like a paycheck, but this is just a little envelope with a piece of tape in it.  Ah well, it's no matter; I put them in a rush because I saw a large cloud looming and knew I didn't want to get caught in the storm.  I did anyway, but it was cooling and refreshing.

Surgery is on Saturday, so I will have the laser beams (as Joe calls them) fix my eyes in the best way possible. No more pushing up those glasses anymore!