Irony?

My July running column concerned a "Blind Yoga Challenge" headed by my blind running buddy, Michael Holmes.  He challenged his yoga class and instructor, to do a 90-minute session while blindfolded.  Here is the story:  http://www.runmichigan.com/view.php?id=29877  (You might have to cut and paste the URL if you want to read it; be forewarned, it's lengthy.)

A few days after posting it, I had a bit of an accident in the garage.  I was hit in the eye by a falling snow shovel, from the rafters, and suffered a "serious (or was it 'acute?') corneal contusion."  Boy, it hurt like the Dickens, the worst pain I've ever experienced.  Think about that "stick in the eye" alternative--that was it.

I went to an urgent care facility, which people who know me is quite out of character.  But that tells how much it was bothering me.  The MD there sent me to an ophthalmologist.  (Is that harder to say or harder to spell?)  I'll be fine and my vision is just about back to normal, well, with my glasses it is. There is no pain.  But I was left with three thoughts.

One was experiencing 24 hours of blindness, like the "Blind  Yoga Challenge" I guess.  OK I wasn't blindfolded nor completely blind.  But once the patch went on, I for the most part, closed my other eye to prevent as much as possible the blinking; that's when it hurt like that proverbial "stick in the eye."  I tried to maneuver without opening the unpatched eye.  It was tough, but not as tough as the pain of blinking.  I was struck by not only running into things, but also keeping balance.  That was tough.  I thought about the "Blind Yoga Challenge" and, even more, Michael Holmes.  He's an incredible man......

Another thought was late in coming and it came from Karen.  She explained on the phone to Matt (in Las Vegas) that my vision was returning to normal and the ophthalmologist (I need to practice the spelling.) said things would be fine in a week or so.  I realized I hadn't thought at all about my vision, hadn't worried that it would be permanently affected.  Maybe I was too wrapped up in the pain.  Maybe I just assumed this was a minor thing that would not result in anything major.  Hmmm......

I know this last one is probably stupid, but I'm thinking it now anyway.  I, as noted above, was out of character in going to the urgent care facility.  I went only due to the pain, which was excruciating.  (I have often undergone the DDS's drill without novocaine/numbing, if that helps explain.)  But, other than a quick eye-numbing drop that wore off after half an hour or less, there was nothing for the pain, just antibiotics, etc.  I was told to use "Motrin or Tylenol," neither of which worked at all.  Maybe you see where this is going.  Should I have bothered going to the urgent care facility and, later, the ophthalmologist?  I know, I know  Of course I should have.  But, esp knowing that the eye has pretty much healed itself and that nothing was done to help the pain, did I waste money and time?  Is that why health care costs are so expensive?  I know, I know......  But I still have this thought.  If you want to put that one in the "Stupid" category, go ahead.

BTW, normal run this AM, followed by a lengthy bike ride, and a couple of hours working in the back yard.  I will likely, as a precaution, not wear my contract lens until after Fri's final meeting with the ophthalmologist (Lots of practice with the spelling!).