Page 11 - The Freckled Eye - Book

the tests ran earlier in the month by Dr. Sharma, he confirmed that my right eye mole
was leaking fluid on my retina, that it didn’t have an orange ring, and that it had a few
characteristics of a mole going malignant. His final review was that he felt it had not
turned cancerous at that point but we’d need to watch it closely. He had also
mentioned a new procedure called “cold laser treatment”, I could try.

Apparently, there were no real negative side effects to the cold laser treatment and
since they thought the mole wasn’t growing, I could try this procedure to help elevate
the fluid I was seeing. This was not a treatment to stop the growth of the tumor if it
were cancerous, but a possible treatment to alleviate the fluid on my retina that was
impairing my vision.

Since there were no negative side effects, it seemed like a good option, which I’d
discuss with Dr. Sharma on my next visit with him in June. I was relieved, after being
seen by another doctor, but to be honest, I was still concerned. Why would the mole
be leaking if something wasn’t wrong? But I did my best to stay positive.

A few weeks later -

While I waited for the follow up appointment, Dr. Sharma called me late one evening,
around 10:30pm. I couldn’t believe he was calling… it was late. What doctor called
a patient that late and I only mean that in a good way.

Dr. Sharma said he had some additional information he found. He had done some
research on the cold laser therapy we had previously talked about in our first meeting
and he felt it was a good option for me to try at this point. He explained the new
therapy and added that it could potential reduce or stop the fluid all together on my
retina, helping with my vision. He also explained that there was also a chance that no

change would happen, but that there weren’t any real negative side effects. The only
negative side effect was a dye they’d have to inject into my blood stream, but that I'd be in the
hospital should anything go wrong. After the procedure, I'd also have to be completely cover.

My understanding was that they would put a dye into my blood system that would
somehow illuminate the mole where the laser would be applied. The dye they'd inject
into my body makes the entire body sensitive to ultra violet light for 5 days. The
highly sensitive effect could cause burning anywhere the direct sun could touch in just
a few minutes. So that meant I had to be covered from head to toe. I’d need to wear a
hat, sunglasses and gloves… you get the idea. I just wish I had a picture to bring a
little humor to this experience.