WSDOT Search & Rescue - Advanced Helo Ops

Trained today using the Snohomish County Sheriff's UH-1H Huey! Dream come true. The downwash is incredible and the machine is a beauty.

*Insert Choir Music Here*

It's a miracle, a bloody miracle! I can SEE!!!

Seriously though, it's great. I have to keep reminding myself that I don't have contacts I need to take out before I go to sleep. I wake up in the morning and think "oh ****, did I leave my contacts in?"

On my one-day post-op, I was measured at 20/20 in one eye and 20/15 in the other. My far-sighted vision is absolutely incredible. My near vision is taking longer to return properly; things look a bit blurry up close, but that is apparently normal and should get better in the next few days. My night vision is pretty decent, actually, just bright car lights and street lamps look bigger, but I definitely see well enough to drive.

The surgery itself wasn't bad at all. It was uncomfortable, but SO quick it was totally worth it, and really not a big hassle. After the surgery, I just felt like I needed to keep my eyes closed because they were really sensitive to light, but no real pain per se. Six hours later, I could open my eyes and see the news ticker on CNN from across the hotel room. It was *incredible*.

These next few days will be interesting as my vision continues to improve and stabilize. So far, best decision of my life!

LASIK

I get my LASIK done tomorrow afternoon, in Portland. So no computer for at least a day, I believe, so it may be a few days until I update...but when I do, I will no longer be blind!

Technology is great.

WSDOT

Completed the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Aviation Search and Rescue Orientation Course yesterday. I just have to renew my CPR/First Aid/AED certs, send that in, and then get my Emergency Worker Card.

On the 30th, I will be participating in WSDOT ASAR's Advanced Helicopter Rescue course, and then Mission Scanner training sometime in March, and I should be good-to-go on real missions.

And, of course, LASIK on Thursday!!

Sorry for the lack of updates. I was scheduled to go to MEPS for the AFAST and regular physical yesterday, the 6th, but had to cancel because I've been sick with the flu (which then turned into a wonderful sinus infection).

I am getting LASIK in exactly two weeks, on the 21st, so I will probably take the AFAST after that, and have to wait on the MEPS physical and the Flight Physical until three months post-op (as per regulations).

Classes started Monday, and I'm swamped. Taking 25 credits this quarter (a full-time student is 12-18 credits), and between that and WOFT and getting shape, and other things, this is going to be a very busy quarter! That's alright though, I graduate in June so all is well.

Hope everyone had a happy (and sickness-free) holiday! I will update more often now that I am finally starting to feel better.