United States
The posts above are right on target. It’s not unusual to feel some depression with pain and the strong meds that are used to combat it. Being on your own in a strange place contributes to that too. It will be helpful if you let your nurses know exactly how you’re feeling so they can convey that to your doctors. No matter how strong your religious beliefs are (or are not), having the hospital Chaplain come talk with you will put a friend in your corner. See if you can have someone come chat with you today.
Most hospitals (especially the larger ones like you’re in) have a service called Patient Advocacy. Ask for it immediately since you have no one with you to speak on your behalf and help you weigh decisions. This person will have dealt with serious situations like yours and is trained in what options may be available for you.
You also have the right to speak with your current orthopedic doctor and the infection doctor who will take over your case tomorrow. It might be with a phone call, but it would give you the opportunity to explain how you’re feeling and ask the questions that are preying on your mind. You may get some resistance from the weekend nursing staff about speaking directly with these doctors, but this is a right that you have…..insist on it….and if you don’t get to talk with them, ask to speak to the nursing supervisor or even the person above them or even call the hospital complaint line that is probably located somewhere in your patient booklet. These are resources you deserve as an inpatient.
If you were in immediate danger of your life and the surgery was the only thing that might turn the tide, you can believe that your medical team would have you in the operating room immediately. Hospitals have doctors available 24/7 to deal with urgent cases….it’s not like they only work Monday through Friday. So, I am inclined to think that your case must at least be stable for the present and not in the critical life-threatening stage. Conversations with one or both of your main doctors will confirm this for you and give you more details about your status and why it’s okay to wait until Monday for surgery.
I agree with the suggestion to call your family and alert them to what is going on with you. Busy or not, they will want to know and can be a great source of mental support for you, even with just phone calls, emails, or texts. It’s also possible, if they are inclined, to speak with your doctors and nurses (you must sign documents to give this permission) so they can advocate for you via phone. This is done all the time.
Most hospitals (especially the larger ones like you’re in) have a service called Patient Advocacy. Ask for it immediately since you have no one with you to speak on your behalf and help you weigh decisions. This person will have dealt with serious situations like yours and is trained in what options may be available for you.
You also have the right to speak with your current orthopedic doctor and the infection doctor who will take over your case tomorrow. It might be with a phone call, but it would give you the opportunity to explain how you’re feeling and ask the questions that are preying on your mind. You may get some resistance from the weekend nursing staff about speaking directly with these doctors, but this is a right that you have…..insist on it….and if you don’t get to talk with them, ask to speak to the nursing supervisor or even the person above them or even call the hospital complaint line that is probably located somewhere in your patient booklet. These are resources you deserve as an inpatient.
If you were in immediate danger of your life and the surgery was the only thing that might turn the tide, you can believe that your medical team would have you in the operating room immediately. Hospitals have doctors available 24/7 to deal with urgent cases….it’s not like they only work Monday through Friday. So, I am inclined to think that your case must at least be stable for the present and not in the critical life-threatening stage. Conversations with one or both of your main doctors will confirm this for you and give you more details about your status and why it’s okay to wait until Monday for surgery.
I agree with the suggestion to call your family and alert them to what is going on with you. Busy or not, they will want to know and can be a great source of mental support for you, even with just phone calls, emails, or texts. It’s also possible, if they are inclined, to speak with your doctors and nurses (you must sign documents to give this permission) so they can advocate for you via phone. This is done all the time.
I got to chair and nurse removed dressing. There’s a golf-ball size hole in knee at bottom of femur. I really didn’t look after that. 
