Panic stations

[Sue629]

Hang in there my friend.....2 weeks from today we will be on the other side.....

 

[Me2]

Any hope of finding different surgeon or different hospital. This is freakin hard enough with solid answers .....


Sheryl from Pittsburgh
LTHR on 4/2/2014
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[teakea66]

So sorry you couldn't get answers to your questions Bill @fulfoto. It's frustrating enough to go into a situation where we have no control over the process. Like you, I always want to know as much as I can beforehand but............when we can't we just have to take a deep breath and count to 10. That being said, shame on the OS for not taking the time or short walk over to see you and ease your mind. Ok - now back to positive thinking - 14 days to go


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[fulafoto]

Thanks @Vetgirl Sally - I will definitely ask who is going to be seeing me on the repeat visit however all the appointment letters that I receive from them state on the bottom that failure to attend this appointment will result on your name being removed from the waiting list so they have me over a barrel there but I will ask the question for sure.
@Sue629 - Yes Sue - only 2 weeks for both of us!!!! And yeah - I am hanging
@Me2 thanks Sheryl - not at this stage I am afraid - with the public system here I would have to start the whole process over again which would mean at least a 3 month wait.
@teakea66 thankyou also and yes my frustration level is very high at the moment - as I put to my wife - 4 hours of pre-op to find out I need my meds in their original packets! Wow that is a great use of time!
Never mind.... everything will be better in two weeks

 

[glmrphy]

@fulafoto , just catching up on some reading and wanted to say hang in there. Your story makes me so grateful for my wonderful OS, who even told me (once we scheduled the surgery) to call him personally if I had questions or concerns before the big day. Seems to me that your health care system could at least already have assigned a surgeon to you, so that at least some of these very valid questions could be answered! Good for you, for trying to be your own advocate, hang in there! I will be hoping and praying that you get the best surgeron there and easiest of surgeries.

 

[Josephine]

It would appear that this pre-op session was more for their benefit than yours and that the 'professional' participants weren't really in the know about much - if anything - of the workings of the surgical team. All of those questions should have been answered by even a half-knowledgeable person. Her being on-call indicates she was a muggins that got dumped with the job rather an an informed person who could knowledgeably reply.

so I ask - what type of anesthesia will I be having? You will find out on the day - it will be the decision of the anesthetist who will be seeing me.

what approach will be used - not sure - it will depend on the surgeon and the complexity of my hip the OS will discuss with me prior to the surgery

Will I have a period of non weight bearing due to my cyst - won't know until after the operation

Next question - how long do you envisage me being off work? - can't say, check with surgeon after the op

Will I be able to use the surgical scrub solution on my psoriasis? What psoriasis???? She looks at it - it is a slight red 'smudge' at the moment on my hip, no scaling, no inflammation.. she says I will have to get rid of it - I then tell her that I have had it since 1995 and it has never looked better than now and what method does she suggest for me to get rid of it? She refers to the specialist via the nurse - OS is too busy to see me today

All these responses are ridiculous! I would vouch that not one of them was really from the orthopaedic team! Either that or they were inexperienced!

I said to my DW that I will not have any information until I am on the guerney outside the theater I reckon - so much for active participation - I feel like a piece of meat!

I can totally understand and sympathise, Bill. How frustrating. However, if the surgeon was in theatre, it would hardly be appropriate for him to leave that patient or list to come and look at something like a small rash! Just not done. Same if he was in a busy clinic. It really isn't that easy for them to just pop out like that. But they could have photographed it and shown him that. Why not?

What a frustrating morning for you.

 

[Poppet]

Hi Bill, @fulafoto - I am so, so sorry.... sadly this is the problem with the public health system here in OZ.

But in saying that I went private and this was my experience.
I didn't get to go to a pre op class
I didn't get to meet my anaethetist prior to the surgery, he barely said two words to me as they wheeled me into the OR.
I wasn't sure if he would do a spinal.
I had no idea how they were going to handle any emergency with my loss of kidney function.
I didn't have a clue about the surgical approach prior to the surgery.
I didn't know how long I would be off work...

I hear you my friend... frustration, frustration, frustration...

I finally came to the decision, that I was in so much pain, I truly didn't care, I thought - lets just get this done!

Hang in there Bill xxxxxx

 

[fulafoto]

Thanks @Josephine apart from the nurse the rest did not seem to have much idea at all. As you said it does appear to have been for their benefit solely.
As you said too @Poppet - I am at the stage of not really caring - just get this show on the road and I'll come along for the ride

 

[shrinkette]

@fulafoto Hey, Bill. Just wanted to say I totally commiserate with you re the treatment you received ... what a disappointing run-around. As you already know, it's important now not to lose your main focus, which I know you haven't. Keep your eye on the prize -- it will soon be yours!

Ellen

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

Hi Bill.... So sorry that you had such a difficult pre op session.... However, mind was a very similar experience.... I met with a registrar who looked at X-ray.. Said you need THR... Fill in this admittance form and we will let you know when you will come in....I asked a myriad of questions... Who is surgeon? TBA... What approach? Whatever surgeon decides.... Anaesthesia? Depends on surgeon!!!
However... My experience on the day was fabulous... Met surgeon. Anaesthetist and surgical team 1 hour before op.... All great.... My outcome was good post op..... So Bill @fulafoto..... What I am saying is that although this was hugely frustrating for you it doesn't affect the outcome... It's just the system... Like our own over here. Please stay positive..... Chrissie xxxxx


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[Poppet]

What really matters is what happens on the day and you have heard good reports of your surgeon - hang onto those thoughts Bill

The hospital medical team are never going to be your best friends, your OS's skill is what counts my dear friend... and already you have heard positive reports about his skills.

Get through the next appointment and then onto recovery - then this time will be but a memory .. Many hugs xxxx

 

[Me2]

Even as friendly, everything for our patient's comfort and well being as my hospital was - the OR staff was a tad standoffish . . . even at Pre-Op visit . . . I guess they are there because they are not necessarily people - persons and deal better with sleeping people? Not that they don't excel at what they do but . . .

 

[younghippie]

@fulafoto Sorry you had a rough pre op experience. I have had a less than pleasant experience with my surgeon's assistant (rough with me when checking ROM and unfriendly). It really got me worked up and worried. I told my surgeon about it and he was extremely accommodating... staying with me through appointment... even having me sign the paperwork for surgery (usually job of PA). My point is that I realized that it's the surgeon that is doing the procedure and calling all of the shots and not every nurse or staff member is going to be perfect. But, the surgeons are usually top notch and hopefully you will feel more comfortable with everything when you are in the hands of the surgeon. Wish you all the best!

 

[MajorHeidi]

Hi Bill! @fulafoto
What a waste of your time, it sure sounds like.
I think I would just go with the flow on this one....
One thing perhaps you can request from your nice GP:
As you know, I had a few spots of psoriasis on my lower legs, though fortunately it played nice and hasn't been seen in about a month.
However, I did have two small pimples on my op hip that scared the dickens out of me.
The GP prescribed an antifungal creme ( I believe it was Nyastium) to use for two weeks.
I did... that helped.
Hope this helps?

 

[Vetgirl]

Hi Bill @fulafoto how are you feeling about things today?

It seems that sadly you are not alone.....it's a shame surgeons can't read these reports and learn something from us about patient care.

I know many of you may doubt how good my surgeon actually is, due to the fact I received an infection but I personally can't sing his praises high enough especially when it comes to bedside manner. And what a difference this makes when you had a problem.

I only had 1 visit with him prior to the surgery, but I sent through a long list of questions via email for him to answer which he did promptly. He never introduced himself as Dr always by his first name, even when ringing for blood results. No question was too much. He even spoke to my boss about my return to work to so my boss could work out a schedule of duties for me.

When I got sick with the infection, he asked the GP to give me his mobile no, he has admitted me on weekends, answered questions whilst overseas, squeezed in appts round Wayne's travel and not laughed at a lot of my questions and even agreed that I should advocate for myself with the nursing staff in regards to hygiene.

I'm not saying this to brag or make anyone feel like their surgeon isn't the best, but to point out that you can be a great surgeon and have an awesome bedside manner. I just think its a shame when I hear others who have problems and the disdain or total lack of accountability to their patient.

Sorry about my useless comments about not going to the appt, of course you have to. It just infuriates me that you have waited so long for surgery and answers and you get none.

I think you have to go with what Poppet and others said about remembering that your surgeon is well regarded etc. I know around my area people who have waited for replacement surgery and ended up with my Dr and other great surgeons. It's the way the system works....and you will get someone excellent too

Sorry for my rant....have a great Easter with your family xxx

 

[GaRosehippy]

@fulafoto ....I too am sorry you had a crappy pre-op......but like Poppet said, I agree. AND I like @Vetgirl had a wonderful consult, pre-op and post-op. I have no complaints, I guess I just was lucky in all the areas. I are sure that when the BIG DAY arrives everything will fall into place, your fears will be put to rest and you will wake up a new man and join us HIPPIES!!!! Then the fun begins! Please try not to dwell on this bump in the road, try not to let it get you discouraged, just remember your time is coming soon and this pain will be gone and you won't give a **** about what a lousy pre-op you had!!! All a thing of the past.......SMILE my friend!

 

[fulafoto]

@shrinkette - thanks so much Ellen and they are great words - keeping my eye on the prize for sure
Thanks Chrissie @Hoppy Nanny - it is infuriating isn't it? It seems like a production line and I guess it is really - so pleased your op day experience was better and I can only hope mine might be similar!
@ Poppet - you're so right again - and yes even the nurse that I thought was brilliant said that my surgeon is the best... and if they don't improve their treatment towards me they will be off my Christmas Card list . THAT will teach them
@Me2 - thanks for your insight and you are absolutely right - they are more attuned to 'getting the job done' I guess.
@younghippie - thanks also for your kind words - sounds like you had a really good surgeon!
@MajorHeidi - thanks Claire and yes it helps a lot! I have made an appointment with my GP next week about the psoriasis and I received a call from the hospital yesterday and I have an appointment at the 'skin clinic' next Tuesday - will be interesting to see what they say.
@Vetgirl - can I borrow your surgeon Sally? He sounds really good!!! And yes I am at ease with it now and will, be going with the flow.
Funny thing that I just thought about - a friend of mine (who at the time had a young family) was a postmortem assistant at a large public hospital in the 80's - I asked him how he dealt with the things he had to do and the things he saw. He said that when doing his job they were just pieces of meat - it was the only way he could deal with what he was doing and continue to do his job to the best of his ability.

Thanks everyone for your sensational support - I really do value it more than you know! You're all brilliant!!!

 

[Poppet]

@fulafoto and @Vetgirl - just sent you both an email - check it out xx

 

[fulafoto]

Went for the check up on my psoriasis today and it was with a junior ortho doctor and he was very helpful.

My skin is fine but he did warn me that the OS who is doing the op is pedantic (his word) and will cancel for any skin eruption. He has ever seen him cancel for a pimple near the op site.

I asked if I could ask some questions and he was really helpful - not sure about weight bearing as my weight will be spread across the cup and not just in the spot of the cyst so they will tell when they do the op.

He went into great detail about the operation and I was very impressed and told him so. I asked if he will be in the op and he said probably but if not will see me on ward rounds.

Apparently I will be having a posterior that will be about 12 inches long going from the middle of the back of my upper thigh to around the side of my thigh (would that be a posterior lateral?) and he glues the wound closed. This chap said the OS likes a lot of room to work in.

So only just over a week to go now...

 

[Poppet]

I am so excited for you Bill @fulafoto - that is good news.

I am pleased you were able to get answers to your questions. I think it is good that your OS is pedantic, that is what you need - attention to detail.

I had the same surgical approach with approximately the same length. I was pleased because I also knew my OS had plenty of room etc..

Wow! One week today! xx