**

I'm off today. Last Friday everybody else got off at about 2:30 but I had to stay and cover the Post Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. That lasted until about 6:30 p.m. so my boss told me to take today off. It's a good thing because I have a very important Doctor's appointment today ... or I should say my son does.
My brain is so addled lately that I don't remember if I told you this so I'll tell you again. When Ryan was 6 or 7, he was diagnosed with a hole in his retina. It was right at the spot where the image comes together and focuses. He had to have surgery to repair it. Part of the recovery process required him to lay face down for about a week (it may have been two, I'm not really sure) while the eye healed from the surgery. He's fucking six years old! How do you think he did? Yeah, not that great.
Fast forward ten years. He is 16 and a Junior in High School. He failed an eye exam given by the school and was referred to an optometrist. Well, the optometrist diagnosed him with a cataract and swelling on the retina of the eye. Either he didn't have the equipment or the skill, or the swelling in the eye prevented him from seeing if the hole was still there. He DID say that glasses wouldn't correct his problems and referred us to a specialist. That's where we are headed in a matter of hours.
I am sure he's going to have to have surgery. The question is, how complicated the procedure will be. I guess we will know in a few hours. To tell you the truth I'm a little worried about it so do me a favor. Whatever juju, good thoughts, prayers or live animal sacrifices you can send up, please think about my boy today and wish us luck. How's he doing you ask? I think he may be a little worried but he's 16 and at 16 you gotta be cool. After the last appointment I was trying to gauge his feelings.

Me: "You know you are probably gonna have to have surgery to repair that?"

Ryan: "Yeah." (***sound of gears turning in head***) "How many days you think I'll get off of school for that?"

Me: - - -

Fucking teenagers ... can't live with 'em, can't sell 'em into white slavery. Pffft!