molotovcoqteez replied to your post: Freyeday

Okay, there are two cheap things you can try. Either get some witch hazel or go to an herb store for an herb called eyebright. Brew the herb to make a tea and put it on a compress, or do the same with straight witch hazel. Use several times a day.

getmetoparadise replied to your post: Freyeday

It looks like a chalazion. You should use compresses and see if it helps. Hope you feel better.

Thank you, ladies. I’m reading up on chalazions right now, and it appears you’re both right. I’ll give the compresses a try (though I can’t get my hands on witch hazel or eyebright with no money, so regular warm water compresses will have to do).

The part that scares me is reading this part:

If the swelling has lasted more than a few weeks or creates symptoms of mild blurring of the vision, your ophthalmologist may recommend surgery to remove the chalazion.

Forget “weeks,” we’re into “months” territory. And the vision in that eye has indeed been a bit blurry for a while now. I’ll try the compresses, but there’s no way I could afford surgery if those don’t work.

And despite the inheritance that my parents got from my grandma, their response is “it’s too bad you don’t have health insurance so you can get it taken care of.”

On the plus side:

Although tumors of the eyelids do occur, a chalazion is not a tumor and has no malignant potential.

So, you know, at least I have an excuse to go around yelling

mistookmistake replied to your post: Freyeday

Aww, I wish I could take it away for you, my friend. Your “Ladies?” tag was so funny. :-D In all honesty, it’s not so bad. I’m just worried about you health-wise. *hugs*

Thank you. As worried as I am about it, I don’t want to let it get the best of me. I tend to get through pain by joking about it.

I swear, I’m not crying…I just have a hailstone in my eye.

Well, actually I am crying a bit. That eye is always tearing up lately.

Dammit, I wish I was Canadian so I could see a freaking doctor without going into life-long debt.