Counting down.. All the prep is done. There is a lot of it.
On May 1 I was approved for surgery with caveats: lots of caveats: clearance from dentist, PCP and cardiologist I was given a notebook on all the aspects of the surgery and what to expect. Homework. I was scheduled for appointments 30 days before surgery and 12 and 42 days post op and also x rays.
So during June we worked on all the clearances.. I went to the History and Physical appointment on July 22 and they asked me if I had received a phone call from Anaesthesia.. I had not; I called them. they were running behind and assured me they would call me later in the week. They did. A phone interview. Of course there was much repetition of questions others had asked me.
Meanwhile I attended a required joint replacement class..The practice wants you educated and with opportunity to ask questions .
During the H and P session they did examine my charts so there was a good bit of them studying the computer.. I did not mind.. Its folly to think that they can remember all the details.. When I first had chemo I was annoyed at everyone asking me the same things over and over ( at that time I thought; are you really unable to read?) Then I realized all the repetition was for my own benefit and well being. You really do not want to be fed the wrong poison.
After that I cut medical pros some slack.. They need time to review in my presence and ascertain that they have the full information they need ( and the right patient!)
I write this as some who have never been in surgery before may feel the same way I did in chemo and during that surgery ( as a first timer) If they say that something needs to be done a certain way there must be a reason but at the beginning this can be hard to believe.
Of course this is easy for me to say as its my second joint replacement with the same practice.
Communication seems to be key and I have many ways of communicating with the practice.. They have a messaging system and a dedicated staff member to attend to e communication.. I have never felt ignored and if I had been of course I would be reconsidering my choice. At the conclusion of every visit I was given a summary ( usually multi page!) of what was discussed at that days visit. The H and P visit has my day of surgery schedule down to a timetable of what to do and what to stop doing.
A dedicated scheduler is a great asset. On that May 1 appointment I sat down with her and mapped out all the appointments and was asked ( not told )what was a good time . Plenty can go wrong with an inept scheduling system. But in the visits I have had with this practice ( totalling 7 now I think) I have never even had time in the waiting room to read one article in a magazine.
I saw my OS once.. I will see him the day of surgery maybe one more time in hospital and at the six week check.. They are busy guys and have a staff that handles the rest . They can't see everyone all the time and still do 300 replacements a year.
Too long is becoming so short!
United States
