Everything you need to know to survive this

I did lots of reading to prepare for this journey, but there's always more you wish you knew. Here's a quick check list to help you:

1. It's going to be ok. It's going to suck, but you'll make it. 
2. Have really easy meals in your freezer, or a good cook who will feed you. If someone offers you food, take it. Be sure to watch your salt intake, and get plenty of fiber. Include childhood favorites.
3. Three huge bottles of Tylenol will be just about enough.
4. If your surgery is in the winter, a good humidifier is a must. Have one next to you always. 
5. Dulcolax
6. A really good dog who will cuddle with you will keep you from going mad. 
7. Surround yourself with all your favorite things. Be indulgent. 
8. Comfy clothes with pockets keep all your stuff in easy reach. You'll want Kleenex, a cell phone and ice with you always. 
9. Take a photo every day and write down how to feel. Then when you are positive you are dying, you can see the progress you have made. I was done with feeling bad on day three. But I felt bad for 3 more weeks. It was torturously slow healing. And boring! 
10. Ice! Ice! Ice! Put a gauze pad or tissue over your eyeball to make it more tolerable. 
11. Take enough time off. Your doctor will tell you to take a week off. You need two. 
12. It will take you a month to feel almost normal. Per eye.
13. It costs a buttload of money. Thank God for insurance. My bills are almost $11,000. Per eye. Insurance has covered a great deal of this. 
14. Moisturize your hands really well for the weeks before your surgery. If you have any kind of adhesive reaction, ask for paper tape. Seriously, the MOST painful thing was peeling the tape off to take IV out. All the skin came off too, and then I had to heal a raw wound on the back of my hand in addition to my broken face. With the second surgery, she taped everything down with paper tape, and no problems. 
15. Let people help you. You deserve it. It's good for them. 
16. Roll with the punches. You can't control everything. I thought I had everything nailed down, and then we've had blizzards, sub zero weather, power outages and a water main break. 
17. You can do it. It gets better.