Panic stations
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fulafoto
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Another silly poem of mine. This one about tomorrow's appointment....
The letter arrives; an appointment made
Hoping upon hope for a release from this tirade
Pain my constant companion; crutches my constant mate
Oh how I wish it would abate
The surgeon’s assessment; to be made and to come
As the date approaches I feel quite numb
Awaiting his assessment; his consideration and decision
When will he make this life changing incision?
Apprehension is high; where will discussion lead?
Will he see my immediate need?
The public system is so under stress
If he admits me, it will be one less
Waiting’s the worse; this torturous time
I know eventually, all will be fine
But limited is patience due to the pain
I want to be in the recovery lane
The letter arrives; an appointment made
Hoping upon hope for a release from this tirade
Pain my constant companion; crutches my constant mate
Oh how I wish it would abate
The surgeon’s assessment; to be made and to come
As the date approaches I feel quite numb
Awaiting his assessment; his consideration and decision
When will he make this life changing incision?
Apprehension is high; where will discussion lead?
Will he see my immediate need?
The public system is so under stress
If he admits me, it will be one less
Waiting’s the worse; this torturous time
I know eventually, all will be fine
But limited is patience due to the pain
I want to be in the recovery lane
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fulafoto
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Hoppy Nanny
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@fulafoto. Great poem....think you might have a new hobby on your hands?? Glad you've got some rain...trying yo send you some more cos we don't need it...I'm fed up with the sound of rain on my conservatory roof!! Hope your appointment went well. Any news?? Chrissie xxx
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart®
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart®
MajorHeidi
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I enjoyed your poem!
Let us know what your appointment yields for you. Sending good thoughts your way. >>>>>
Let us know what your appointment yields for you. Sending good thoughts your way. >>>>>
GaRosehippy
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fulafoto
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Well.. interesting appointment in a lot of ways that has left me with more questions than answers.
Firstly I was greeted by the OS with the statement that "you're not my patient, you belong to Dr Berger, or is it Dr Puri" I told him that I was told he was my surgeon.. so he said alright lets have a look - he looked at the CT Scan that was taken last time and the only comment was that the right hip is pretty bad too - I told him that it feels pretty bad as well. I noticed there is quite a large white area in the acetabulum - I guess that is the cyst.
He came to look at my legs - asked why the left one was shorter than the right and I told him about my slipped epiphysis. He looked questioningly at me then said oh yes - it is the left hip isn't it - that explains a lot.
He asked about he psoriasis and I showed him - he appeared to be OK with it - I told him that the cortisone injection had had a positive effect on it and he asked when did I have the cortisone - I told him in December and he said he cannot operate within 3 months of that and do not have another cortisone injection.
He then checked my ankle where it was reported last time that I had swelling - he asked the nurse for an ultrasound machine to check the pulse in the ankle - when he put it on I heard it loud and clear - he didn't comment. He then grabbed my leg and moved it quickly side to side and bent the knee which caused me a great deal of pain and it showed.
He went and sat down and proceeded to inform me that theoretically I was too young for a hip replacement and at my age (54) it would not last long at all. He said they don't last long on people under 60 and I would require another prosthesis before I was 60 - when asked why 60 is the magic number he said it is because people of that age are less active.
He then proceeded to tell me that the prosthesis is only designed to support a weight of 80 kilograms and that I need to lose 40 kilos. Now even at what I consider my 'fighting weight' that is my fittest when I worked in a mine in my early to mid 20's I was 95 kilograms... 80kgs is just not on the radar I am afraid.
He gave me a form for an x-ray as the other one is about 4-5 months old and I asked so where do we go from here and without raising his head from the paperwork he said I will get a THR. He has me now as a category 2 which is between 30 and 90 days which means I have 'moved up the list' by about 9 months so I am happy about that
That was the appointment. Seeya later!
On a more positive side when I went for the x-ray the technician had nothing but praise for this OS and when I went to pre-op the nurse (who incidentally had a THR at the age of 33) said he is by far the best OS in central Queensland.
So there we are - I am feeling a bit nonplussed until it all sinks in. My DW was with me and we intend to debrief later this evening (when we get rid of our talkative 7 year old grandson).
Wondering if I could ask you @Josephine and @Poppet about these statements he made regarding weight and age.
Firstly I was greeted by the OS with the statement that "you're not my patient, you belong to Dr Berger, or is it Dr Puri" I told him that I was told he was my surgeon.. so he said alright lets have a look - he looked at the CT Scan that was taken last time and the only comment was that the right hip is pretty bad too - I told him that it feels pretty bad as well. I noticed there is quite a large white area in the acetabulum - I guess that is the cyst.
He came to look at my legs - asked why the left one was shorter than the right and I told him about my slipped epiphysis. He looked questioningly at me then said oh yes - it is the left hip isn't it - that explains a lot.
He asked about he psoriasis and I showed him - he appeared to be OK with it - I told him that the cortisone injection had had a positive effect on it and he asked when did I have the cortisone - I told him in December and he said he cannot operate within 3 months of that and do not have another cortisone injection.
He then checked my ankle where it was reported last time that I had swelling - he asked the nurse for an ultrasound machine to check the pulse in the ankle - when he put it on I heard it loud and clear - he didn't comment. He then grabbed my leg and moved it quickly side to side and bent the knee which caused me a great deal of pain and it showed.
He went and sat down and proceeded to inform me that theoretically I was too young for a hip replacement and at my age (54) it would not last long at all. He said they don't last long on people under 60 and I would require another prosthesis before I was 60 - when asked why 60 is the magic number he said it is because people of that age are less active.
He then proceeded to tell me that the prosthesis is only designed to support a weight of 80 kilograms and that I need to lose 40 kilos. Now even at what I consider my 'fighting weight' that is my fittest when I worked in a mine in my early to mid 20's I was 95 kilograms... 80kgs is just not on the radar I am afraid.
He gave me a form for an x-ray as the other one is about 4-5 months old and I asked so where do we go from here and without raising his head from the paperwork he said I will get a THR. He has me now as a category 2 which is between 30 and 90 days which means I have 'moved up the list' by about 9 months so I am happy about that
That was the appointment. Seeya later!
On a more positive side when I went for the x-ray the technician had nothing but praise for this OS and when I went to pre-op the nurse (who incidentally had a THR at the age of 33) said he is by far the best OS in central Queensland.
So there we are - I am feeling a bit nonplussed until it all sinks in. My DW was with me and we intend to debrief later this evening (when we get rid of our talkative 7 year old grandson).
Wondering if I could ask you @Josephine and @Poppet about these statements he made regarding weight and age.
Hoppy Nanny
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Well Bill @ fulafoto....a day of positives and negatives!!!!! These surgeons seem to have charisma bypasses don't they? They seem not to understand their ' clients ' needs or feelings. They may be 'the best ' at surgery... and that is the best positive you can have..... but it's really not good enough to leave patients feeling vulnerable because of lack of empathy. Have to say, I only saw a registrar who was much the same.....THR.... No choice!!!! No debate.... No sympathetic murmurings !!!!!!!!!!!However, so glad that you've got a quicker timescale for your op.
Well, age... I was in a ward with 6 other women having THR.... and they were ALL under 60...Ranging from 51 to 58.....I was the eldest at nearly 62!!!!! And weight! My goodness if the cut off point is 80 kg then we are all doomed!!!!
That would exclude nearly every man on the planet!!!! There was no mention made of weight to me..., and I'm no skinny Minny I can assure you..... I'm 160lbs at the moment.....I know it's good to be lighter but with pre op restrictions due to pain and the inability to exercise we would all be excluded or the vast majority....good luck Bill... Hope you get your date through soon... Love Chrissie xxx
Well, age... I was in a ward with 6 other women having THR.... and they were ALL under 60...Ranging from 51 to 58.....I was the eldest at nearly 62!!!!! And weight! My goodness if the cut off point is 80 kg then we are all doomed!!!!
That would exclude nearly every man on the planet!!!! There was no mention made of weight to me..., and I'm no skinny Minny I can assure you..... I'm 160lbs at the moment.....I know it's good to be lighter but with pre op restrictions due to pain and the inability to exercise we would all be excluded or the vast majority....good luck Bill... Hope you get your date through soon... Love Chrissie xxx
Poppet
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I can almost hear Jo's comments from here...
Me, well, I am speechless!
Far be it for me to criticize our public health system - except to say he is wrong, wrong, wrong!
I have a very close family member who had his first THR at 26 and the second hip at 27, now in his late 40's he is still going strong on the original sets. Leading surgeons from all over the world are cautiously saying, we have the 'forever' hip prosthetic now!
It is a fact that everything wears out over time. Artificial hip bearings are no exception. During everyday activity, our hips endure several million cycles a year. People who are athletic or walk more than usual will load their joints more. Cyclic loading leads to wear, even though modern hip bearings are extremely wear-resistant. But, no bearing surface is completely wear-proof.
However in saying this, realistically, for most of us, bearing wear in an artificial hip is not a practical concern. Assuming the surgery is done properly, most modern hip bearings will last longer than the patient’s lifespan.
I think we all know that maintaining a healthy weight is a bonus, not just for a THR but also our general health.
Chrissie is right if 80kg is the design weight that the prosthetic manufacturers work towards we are all in trouble!
The plus from today Bill, @fulafoto is that you have moved up the priority list and you have confirmation that you will have a THR.
We all wanted to read that you actually had a definitive date, but now you have a timeframe....
I am still speechless.....
Hugs and love to both you and your DW xxxx
Me, well, I am speechless!
Far be it for me to criticize our public health system - except to say he is wrong, wrong, wrong!
I have a very close family member who had his first THR at 26 and the second hip at 27, now in his late 40's he is still going strong on the original sets. Leading surgeons from all over the world are cautiously saying, we have the 'forever' hip prosthetic now!
It is a fact that everything wears out over time. Artificial hip bearings are no exception. During everyday activity, our hips endure several million cycles a year. People who are athletic or walk more than usual will load their joints more. Cyclic loading leads to wear, even though modern hip bearings are extremely wear-resistant. But, no bearing surface is completely wear-proof.
However in saying this, realistically, for most of us, bearing wear in an artificial hip is not a practical concern. Assuming the surgery is done properly, most modern hip bearings will last longer than the patient’s lifespan.
I think we all know that maintaining a healthy weight is a bonus, not just for a THR but also our general health.
Chrissie is right if 80kg is the design weight that the prosthetic manufacturers work towards we are all in trouble!
The plus from today Bill, @fulafoto is that you have moved up the priority list and you have confirmation that you will have a THR.
We all wanted to read that you actually had a definitive date, but now you have a timeframe....
I am still speechless.....
Hugs and love to both you and your DW xxxx
Vetgirl
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I'm so sorry bill @fulafoto that your awaited appointment went like that.
He may be a great surgeon but he has no people skills . Hmmmmm may someone help him if he ever needs a THR!!!!!! It may make him more empathetic. Maybe but probably not
I agree with @Poppet on her comments and I can also imagine what Jo will say.
At least you have moved up on the surgery list.
I hope my long awaited appt tomorrow goes better....LOL
I am so lucky with my surgeons people skills. I don't even call him Dr anymore....just his first name!!!!!
Hope you had a good debrief tonight
He may be a great surgeon but he has no people skills . Hmmmmm may someone help him if he ever needs a THR!!!!!! It may make him more empathetic. Maybe but probably not
I agree with @Poppet on her comments and I can also imagine what Jo will say.
At least you have moved up on the surgery list.
I hope my long awaited appt tomorrow goes better....LOL
I am so lucky with my surgeons people skills. I don't even call him Dr anymore....just his first name!!!!!
Hope you had a good debrief tonight
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fulafoto
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Thanks for the support @Hoppy Nanny @Poppet and @Vetgirl - DW and I have just finished discussing today's events and I am angry about it all - about his lack of people skills, about his superior and arrogant attitude and from what I have learned from here, his wrong attitude towards age and weight. At this stage I am stuck with him and have no alternatives that will get me on the table without further delays. I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow (made the appointment after today's consultation) and will discuss the whole thing with her. She is lovely and very supportive so will see what she has to say.
As DW has said - apart from the above negatives - he IS willing to do it, he HAS moved me up the list and he does have a good reputation (apparently). Other things DW pointed out was that he appeared to be moving things along quickly such as the new x-ray and him telling me no more cortisone injections.....
What I intend to do is channel this anger towards losing weight if possible by eating better and trying some exercise such as swimming.
Sally I hope your appointment goes well for you - fingers crossed for you!
As DW has said - apart from the above negatives - he IS willing to do it, he HAS moved me up the list and he does have a good reputation (apparently). Other things DW pointed out was that he appeared to be moving things along quickly such as the new x-ray and him telling me no more cortisone injections.....
What I intend to do is channel this anger towards losing weight if possible by eating better and trying some exercise such as swimming.
Sally I hope your appointment goes well for you - fingers crossed for you!
Vetgirl
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That's the spirit Bill.....glad you had a debrief. Everything you said is true about him but the great news is things are moving along and his reputation is good...great actually
Good luck with the GP tomorrow ....I. So tired but every time I try to sleep the brain keeps working!!!!! You were probably like that last night
Good luck with the GP tomorrow ....I. So tired but every time I try to sleep the brain keeps working!!!!! You were probably like that last night
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fulafoto
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Hope you get some more
Poppet
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Good for you Bill, @fulafoto - sadly there is no winning with the Public Health system.
The way I looked at it with my surgeon was that he was never going to be my best friend, but what I wanted from him was his skill in the OR!
Yes, channel your anger towards what you can control!
You have max 90 days, you can do it!
Swimming will be the best thing for you, take the weight of those joints and lose weight and the added benefit is that you live in a good climate so swimming is ideal and you will regain some condition in your muscles and cardio!
Your DW is so right in everything she has said, smart woman that! It does seem as though he was thorough and intends to move as quickly as the system will permit. He just wasn't born with a personality!
I am still speechless and angry..
The way I looked at it with my surgeon was that he was never going to be my best friend, but what I wanted from him was his skill in the OR!
Yes, channel your anger towards what you can control!
You have max 90 days, you can do it!
Swimming will be the best thing for you, take the weight of those joints and lose weight and the added benefit is that you live in a good climate so swimming is ideal and you will regain some condition in your muscles and cardio!
Your DW is so right in everything she has said, smart woman that! It does seem as though he was thorough and intends to move as quickly as the system will permit. He just wasn't born with a personality!
I am still speechless and angry..
Hoppy Nanny
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Ahhh Bill that's the spirit.... You've turned the negative to a positive... I like your style!!. Good luck with your great sounding GP tomorrow.... Chrissie xxxx
MajorHeidi
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Wow @fulafoto Bill, just read your post about your OS visit. Oh my!!!!!
I had never heard of the implant being designed to only support that weight. Does he actually demand
you lose that excess BEFORE he does surgery? And the comment on you being 54 and will need another by 60. Whoa! I wonder how he figured that? is that the experience he has seen in his own practice?
My OS visit is Monday coming up on the 17th. I will ask similar questions and see what I get....
@Vetgirl hope your doc visit goes well for you.
I had never heard of the implant being designed to only support that weight. Does he actually demand
you lose that excess BEFORE he does surgery? And the comment on you being 54 and will need another by 60. Whoa! I wonder how he figured that? is that the experience he has seen in his own practice?
My OS visit is Monday coming up on the 17th. I will ask similar questions and see what I get....
@Vetgirl hope your doc visit goes well for you.
MajorHeidi
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Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
A <6 year life? Oh Lord, give me strength!
More strength, please Lord! That's why they make prostheses of differing sizes and weights!
Really, Bill, I don't know what to say either. If this guy is such an illustrious surgeon, then he knows these things and is just blowing hot air, the subtext of which is that he has identified you are someone else's problem and doesn't want to touch you. Easiest way to accomplish that is to tell you all this BS about prosthetic inadequacies and your being too young! This confirmed by the fact that he performed a THR on the xray tech when she was only 33!
How are you fixed now in getting to see someone else?
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