Had my papers recently. A 'chat' with my friend the surgeon on Thursday, pre-op scheduled for 10th, letter confirming I had accepted an date for the 17th - read a bit like a final notice from the bank, that one - kind of you either keep this appointment or else!!
Phew! it's all getting a bit too real now.
Another couple of 'interesting' (for which read infuriating) developments:
Rang the Social Services to arrange for the assessment vis a vis the walker and the toilet seat raiser. Was told I get assessed in hospital 'prior to my termination' (what!
) on IF I needed them! I informed the dear lady there would be no 'if' about it as I was having TKR. Further, whilst I could see the walker being issued in hospital, what about the loo seat. That can be delivered prior to your discharge, she says! 
This despite my having just explained that my efforts to get everything set up before I went in was because I would be totally on my own. Do they actually listen? She climbed down and said she'd arrange for me to be assessed.....I can have hot meals delivered at the cost of £2.50 a go which isn't too shabby but when it came to an alarm, I can discuss that when the lady comes to assess me. However, they're a bit backed up at the moment and it might be a few weeks before this can be arranged. Then, if I do get approved for one, could be another 2/3 months before it's installed.
I was tempted to tell her ..... (no, never mind what I was tempted to tell her!)So then had a call from Age Concern in response to an email I'd sent through their website that assured "You’re never alone with the Aid Call Service. Help at hand when you need it and only when you need it." This lady assured me one could be installed before the weekend - cost around £150 for 3 months including installation. But, she added, she needed the telephone numbers of two relatives, neighbours or friends. For what reason? Why so they can phone them to tell them I need help!
With GREAT restraint (IMHO!) I told her that if I had even one relative, neighbour or friend available to call on, I wouldn't be needing their rotten alarm in the first place! They seriously think I'm going to fork out £150 to have them phone my next-door neighbour! How ridiculous!Again, seems like when you're on your own, you're on your own!
March 3rd 2009
Just had another call from the Social Services. Apparently the person that pined me yesterday was from another discipline and unfamiliar with orthopaedics. Seems that I do have to be assessed in hospital but I have to ask when on my first day.
Also, the alarm I can have, £3 a week and even though they need a neighbour to collect house keys off, they will send someone to deal. It's a 24/7 service which isn't bad. It's also the kind where you have a pendant that's connected to the phone so when you ping it, you're talking to the control centre immediately. They will ask what's happened and do you need help and then act from there. If they don't get a response they send someone as well. Now THAT's more like it - and I like the price too!
March 6th 2009
Had a meet with my surgeon today who patiently sat while I ticked through my not inconsiderable list. End result ...
~ I shall be having a Genesis II knee, cobolt chrome
~ the more time I can spend on the bike the better as the better the ROM going in, the better it will be after
~ incision probaly about 10-12" (I asked him 'as small as you can manage' to which he said "I would on a small leg but let's face it - your leg is not small!")
~ drain which will be removed the next morning along with reduction of dressings
~ cryo-cuff and a pedaller on the bed immediately after
~ visit to Physio (PT) next morning
~ discharge in 5 days
~ clips out about 10 days
~ total of only 2-3 visits to physio from home, otherwise it's up to me
~ driving after 6 weeks or whenever I feel capable of doing an emergency stop
~ toilet seat riser unnecessary
I forgot to ask him about anaesthetic and pain management but well, there y'go!
We did have an interesting sideliner about choice of prosthesis. He related a story of a young chap (50-ish) who, having been advised he needed a replacement, came back with literature of another implant, requesting that he (the surgeon) use it. He said no. Few days later came back with another implant. Again no. Patient finally asks why not and is told that he (surgeon) only uses the Genesis II and is that the success of the operation is not to do with the implant, it's to do with his skill and he is skilled at using the Genesis. And (I liked this bit) having a TKR is not like getting a new pair of shoes! He gets what the surgeon is good at using. I was greatly amused and told him I had used just such an argument on here a couple of times (not the shoe bit - though you might find it cropping up here and there later!).
Then I got him to send me for an xray of the broken toe and ... oh my! NO healing has taken place yet! Still, it's not hurting which is something.
March 10th 2009
Well, what a surprise this has been! Seems like this unit is a specially built elective (but mostly orthopaedic) unit and has some unusual protocols.
First, after all the usual bloods and ECG stuff, I was given a bottle of wash which I have to use for 5 days pre-op, leaving it on the skin for 3 mins each time and clean wash cloths and towels also to be used each time! Also something to squirt up my nose as well - should be fun!
I arrive at the unit at 12 midday (they're arranging a taxi to collect me) and report to reception. At this point, my belongings are taken away from me and put into my room. I am taken to a special holding bay where I am tagged and ID checked the usual g-zillion times, leg marked, got into the ubiquitous op-gown and onto the nice 'comfy' trolley! I'll then be visited by the surgeon and the anaesthetist and offered the bill of rights to sign (their rights, not mine!) after which I may have to wait some time so, the nurse said, be sure to bring something to 'entertain yourself' .... ummm ... oooooh - decisions, decisions! What shall I take? Bible seems a good bet at this moment - I had wanted to have communion from the hospital chaplain beforehand but never mind. I don't get to see my room until after the op, so unless someone has kindly unpacked for me, none of my stuff will be at hand until I get up the next day - bummer! Though I'll probably be too zonked to care.
Apparently the operating session begins at 2pm and I shall either be favoured and get in first or expected to understand and be on last! Spinal and PCA are de rigeur, apparently which suits me. Total inpatient stay is 5 days including day of surgery, apparently so all being well I should be home on Saturday. Oh, and TEDs to be worn 24/7 for SIX WEEKS and not to be left off more than 30 mins in any 24hr period. Ugh!
Boy oh boy oh boy oh boy!
March 13th 2009
I had a stunning telephone call just now - my brother and his wife are coming to stay for a few days when I come out of hospital!
I am so chuffed, I could hardly speak when she phoned and told me! She kept saying 'well, well?' and I just couldn't speak! They live almost 250 miles away and neither are young - both 72!
~ I shall be having a Genesis II knee, cobolt chrome
~ the more time I can spend on the bike the better as the better the ROM going in, the better it will be after
~ incision probaly about 10-12" (I asked him 'as small as you can manage' to which he said "I would on a small leg but let's face it - your leg is not small!")
~ drain which will be removed the next morning along with reduction of dressings
~ cryo-cuff and a pedaller on the bed immediately after
~ visit to Physio (PT) next morning
~ discharge in 5 days
~ clips out about 10 days
~ total of only 2-3 visits to physio from home, otherwise it's up to me
~ driving after 6 weeks or whenever I feel capable of doing an emergency stop
~ toilet seat riser unnecessary
I forgot to ask him about anaesthetic and pain management but well, there y'go!
We did have an interesting sideliner about choice of prosthesis. He related a story of a young chap (50-ish) who, having been advised he needed a replacement, came back with literature of another implant, requesting that he (the surgeon) use it. He said no. Few days later came back with another implant. Again no. Patient finally asks why not and is told that he (surgeon) only uses the Genesis II and is that the success of the operation is not to do with the implant, it's to do with his skill and he is skilled at using the Genesis. And (I liked this bit) having a TKR is not like getting a new pair of shoes! He gets what the surgeon is good at using. I was greatly amused and told him I had used just such an argument on here a couple of times (not the shoe bit - though you might find it cropping up here and there later!).
Then I got him to send me for an xray of the broken toe and ... oh my! NO healing has taken place yet! Still, it's not hurting which is something.
March 10th 2009
Well, what a surprise this has been! Seems like this unit is a specially built elective (but mostly orthopaedic) unit and has some unusual protocols.
First, after all the usual bloods and ECG stuff, I was given a bottle of wash which I have to use for 5 days pre-op, leaving it on the skin for 3 mins each time and clean wash cloths and towels also to be used each time! Also something to squirt up my nose as well - should be fun!
I arrive at the unit at 12 midday (they're arranging a taxi to collect me) and report to reception. At this point, my belongings are taken away from me and put into my room. I am taken to a special holding bay where I am tagged and ID checked the usual g-zillion times, leg marked, got into the ubiquitous op-gown and onto the nice 'comfy' trolley! I'll then be visited by the surgeon and the anaesthetist and offered the bill of rights to sign (their rights, not mine!) after which I may have to wait some time so, the nurse said, be sure to bring something to 'entertain yourself' .... ummm ... oooooh - decisions, decisions! What shall I take? Bible seems a good bet at this moment - I had wanted to have communion from the hospital chaplain beforehand but never mind. I don't get to see my room until after the op, so unless someone has kindly unpacked for me, none of my stuff will be at hand until I get up the next day - bummer! Though I'll probably be too zonked to care.
Apparently the operating session begins at 2pm and I shall either be favoured and get in first or expected to understand and be on last! Spinal and PCA are de rigeur, apparently which suits me. Total inpatient stay is 5 days including day of surgery, apparently so all being well I should be home on Saturday. Oh, and TEDs to be worn 24/7 for SIX WEEKS and not to be left off more than 30 mins in any 24hr period. Ugh!
Boy oh boy oh boy oh boy!
March 13th 2009
I had a stunning telephone call just now - my brother and his wife are coming to stay for a few days when I come out of hospital!
I am so chuffed, I could hardly speak when she phoned and told me! She kept saying 'well, well?' and I just couldn't speak! They live almost 250 miles away and neither are young - both 72!
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