Hi all,
You might know nothing is ever straight forward for me. I had to wait an hour for an X-ray. Then when I got seen they only had a request for my TKR. I had to tell them the left one had to be done as they was the main reason for my visit. After some discussion one went off and phoned a doctor who authorised the left X-ray. .
My consultant was off and I took an immediate dislike to his registrar because of the way he spoke to me. It was patronising. I saw my hubby's jaw clench and I thought oh no. He did everything completely off his own back, disregarding his seniors notes. He clearly hadn't bothered to read them.
I listened and then said "if you would care to read Mr S notes you will see he wanted me to go on the list last October. I got very upset about another TKR and he said he might have considered an arthroscopy but as far as he was concerned the joint was too worn and I'd hAve been back inside a couple of weeks for a replacement". Almost but not quite sarcastically he said you are very young for this procedure and I would recommend an arthroscopy. I pulled my right jogger up, showed my RTKR scar and said really?
He looked very embarrassed and then my husband said Mr S wants her to have a replacement. There is no sense in her coming in for an operation that's only going to hurry up the deterioration of a joint that Mr S has told us she needs replacing and we have it in writing, so a copy will be in her notes. You cannot tell her she's too young when she's already had one done. He went on to say about being stuck on pain meds and not being able to go to work and the effect of this on my mental health.
He looked at the notes Mr S had left and the next thing he filled in the forms and put me on the list. Then he asked me questions about my medical needs. I told asthma, Bronchiectasis....as soon as I said Bronchiectasis he jumped almost down my throat trying to scare me with strong eye contact and said you do realise that any infection you have in your body may travel and infect the knee. I looked right at him and said I was diagnosed with the condition after the surgery with it and had had the condition for some time. My husband then said also can you make sure this time that everything is replaced. He assured my husband it would be.
Then there was a knock at the door and a consultant came in and asked permission for a final year med student who'd got his exams next week if he could examine me, once we were finished with the registrar. My husband said if she wants to then yes.
After finishing with the registrar, who ended up shaking both our hands, I went into the next room for the examination by the student. He was very thorough, gave an accurate diagnosis. Then he looked at my X-rays he correctly identified all the thing Mr S had on the previous X-ray taken at the other hospital. He also pointed out bone spurs on the new one and the further deterioration. The consultant asked the student what would he recommend. He said well this patient is on the young side to have a replacement. We could do an arthroscopy. The consultant said do you think that's going to help with this level of deterioration. The student said well it might get her out of pain. The consultant then said no point, she'd get a few weeks and end up back in having a TKR. The sensible thing to do is replace this. He also said remember the lady's history she already has a RTKR xx
Oh I was glad to get home x x x I'm very tired x x x
Love Ann xxxx
United States
