I'm Not Quite Sure What To Do - SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!
Preface:
First of all, I spent my career in education in various positions. However, I spent ten years in my school district as an Assistive Technology Specialist for the Special Education Department. The most stressful part of my job was trying to keep peace between two areas - administration (who gave me a limited budget) and parents (who always wanted the "Cadillac" of equipment for their child).
However, I understood both sides and even though often caught in the middle was never disrespectful or rude. I preface this because IMO the orthopedic clinic (which is connected to the hospital) "seems" to be unconcerned regarding my needs as a patient. Even though I use the moniker of "Desert Diva" I don't consider myself "a Diva" and expect special treatment.
However, I "do" expect my interactions to be compassionate and helpful with a genuine concern for my recovery. Needless to say, I'm not getting that "vibe."
The Road to HIp Replacement:
I had spent the winter in my RV in Puerto Penasco, but coming back to the states in mid-March I noticed pain in my groin area that progressively got worse. I didn't worry too much at first, and even took Zumba Gold classes at the Escapees Escapade (and paid for it by increased pain later).
However, when the pain didn't go away I saw my Internist in mid-April who sent me for a hip x-ray (normal) and prescribed Meloxicam (7 mg). When the pain didn't subside and I started walking with my right foot splayed out I called back and he sent me to Physical Therapy.
I actually went to Physical Therapy from May 1st until about August 15th. The PT kept trying different "exercises" with me (she was McKenzie trained), used various heel lifts, did water therapy with ankle weights, but nothing helped and just increased my pain.
Finally, I tried a few sessions with a chiropractor that really increased the pain. I made an appointment with an orthopedic spine specialist (one month to get in) who told me he thought the issue was in my hips and referred me to a physiatrist at the hospital orthopedic facility who was caring and gentle. He ordered an MRI of both hips and diagnosed the AVN. He then referred me to my current OS within the same office.
Hip Replacements:
I actually knew NOTHING about my OS. He's relatively young, but ultra conservative. (He goes by "the book" so to speak.) When you get a diagnosis that you're not prepared for you're somewhat "wary" of the person you're trusting to do your surgery. I had a "classical" posterior approach replacement that was MAKO robotic assisted.
The OS is friendly and always answers my questions, but my gut feeling is that I'm just a number or statistic to him - not a patient or a real person. I suppose that's OK if he's competent, but having a life-time fear of doctors ups the level of my anxiety.
I was born with a condition that isn't life threatening, but the way it has handled (born in the fifties) was much different then than it is today. I had an exploratory surgery at twelve that my parents didn't know how to tell me so they lied. When I was in my early twenties I had a corrective surgery with no family support. Life happens and I don't blame anyone - however, I do take issue when I'm not being treated with courtesy, kindness, and respect.
To be honest, I suppose I'm angry because "this happened to me." I suppose with the added side effect of developing early osteoporosis I stupidly thought I'd get a "pass card" for any added medical drama. Apparently not...
Surgery Coordinator:
OK, I don't like the surgery coordinator. There, I've said it. She "dismisses" me and doesn't answer my phone calls.
She "did" finally call the other day and say that she was offering me a surgery date of 12/30/19. (Happy New Year!) She had previously told me that she was shooting for 12/16/19. However, she scheduled four surgeries on that day and obviously I wasn't one of them. Her "excuse" was that the OS wanted to wait "exactly" three months after the first hip replacement. She also asked how long was my hospital stay as the OS "wouldn't be available" after 12/31/19.
IMO the "three month rule" is total BS, as surgery should be scheduled not on a timetable but on how the actual patient is doing.
Her actual words that really upset me was when I challenged her on not meeting and spending time with me for a surgery date that my "dial-a-ride" was picking me up. I had waited 45 minutes after the OS to speak with her. It's not my fault that the OS hadn't cleared me to drive on my own, but next time I'll take that responsibility into my own hands.
Meeting with the OS Again:
I'm meeting with the OS again next Wednesday (11/20/19) to discuss all of this. The Surgery Scheduler asked if I wanted to meet with the OS and I said "yes." I seriously doubt if it will make a difference in the actual surgery date, but I "am" going to tell him about my concerns. (i.e. - The office sitting on my Dial-A-Ride application for three weeks and not sending it in until I contacted them.) Please - if you have suggestions on what to say and how to approach the conversation, please do. I'm in pain with the right hip more and limping due to leg length. I don't want the hip to totally collapse before surgery (like the left was doing).
Sanity:
I feel "invisible" and that I'm just a "number." My goal isn't only to get through two hip replacements, but to do so with my sanity intact. I'm struggling.
If I'm in pain, I "will" resort to "alternative" pain control if the OS doesn't come through. My "person" that I see for a psychological med check twice a year filled out the form for me in New Mexico and it's good for three years. I've never done anything like that in my life, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Ironically, the hospital "does" require a drug screen pre-surgery. I'll "do what I have to do."