Follow-up appointment post op

penfactor
penfactor Member Posts: 366
edited 16. Dec 2009, 08:27 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello everyone!
I have my post-op appointment next Tuesday to have another X ray & find out how hip/legs are faring. As a few of you know, I now have a longer right leg so am lop-sided & am getting nervous as to what questions to ask. That is if I get a chance as the consultant is one of those who rushes you in & out & doesn't give you a chance to speak.
I know I am going to ask about shoe-raises & whether I will be able to go back to work. This I can't see as possible as it involves standing, stairs & running around all day.
My lovely son is taking yet another day off too come with me but I am still so nervous as it may be my last chance to get everything explained.
love Pennie X

Comments

  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Pennie,

    Thanks for keeping us in the loop. If you write down your questions, no matter how silly you think they sound, and as soon as you go in say I have a few questions to ask - then he knows how the land lies straightaway. If you come away without having them answered you'll just feel frustrated.

    Hope it goes well and let us know what happens.

    Luv Legs :)
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • penfactor
    penfactor Member Posts: 366
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you, Legs
    Yes, I'm going to put questions on big piece of paper & go in clutching in front of me so he can't miss it!
    My son just told me he might not be able to come now so even more scared!
    love Pennie x
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Pennie!

    good luck with your appointment next week... I agree with Linda that it can be very frustrating trying to get your questions etc across...even more so when you have a consultant who 'rushes' you thro.:roll:'

    Sounds like good advice writing down all of what you want to discuss with him/ her and avoids any misunderstanding or assumptions being made!

    Sorry your lovely son can't now go with you...but we will be thinking about you and supporting ':)'

    hugs for next week...let us know how you get on. Iris x
  • ritwren
    ritwren Member Posts: 928
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just wanted to add my support. I know it can be really daunting to go for hospital appointments and it's not easy when the Consultant is one who's always in a rush. You've already been given the good advice to write your questions down and I agree. It's also a good idea to jot down the answers as it's easy to forget what exactly has been said. Best of luck.
    rita
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Pennie,

    I can't add to what the others have said but wanted to just wish you good luck and hope it all goes well for you. Luv Cris x
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I cant say much more.......I have my pre op in a months time so thats as far as I've got....but yes write everything down.
    Is there no one who could go in with you......I find for these things you need someone to be your memory LOL and if you're told things your not expecting and are gobsmacked as I was then you dont take it all in....So its good to have someone else there listening.
    Have you not got someone who could meet you there.....not necessarily someone who lives niext door?
    Hope everything goes well....let us know
    Love
    Hileena
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Dear Pennie

    I really wish you all the best at your Tuesday appointment. As you have said, have your questions written down and also take in a pen to write down the answers and also anything that he tells you that you wish to remember in detail. As Linda mentioned say at the beginning that you have some questions to ask. If you are not able to say that right at the beginning, then don't panic. If he does not ask, you say in a firm voice that you would like to ask some questions and begin with the first one. Try to stay calm and ask him to go slower if necessary for you to get the info written down. Keep at the foremost of your mind, that this is your allocated time with the consultant, this is what he is paid to do and you are entitled to this and it is of great importance to you and quite rightly too. Imagine we are in the room behind you backing you up with this. :)

    Do let us know how you get on. I am sure you will be ok but if it all goes pear shaped, we will help you out as best as we can so please do not get yourself into a panic over it.

    Love
    Elna x(())
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • penfactor
    penfactor Member Posts: 366
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you so much, guys! Elna, your suggestion of imagining you all behind me is so lovely & you made me cry! (Again!)
    The suggestion also of writing down the replies is something I had not thought of & a great idea as, yes, nerves do stop you taking everything in properly.
    My son, bless him, is still working on his boss to let him have day so fingers crossed.
    love Pennie X
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Fingers crossed for you Pennie, in EVERY way. :):lol:

    Love
    Elna x(())
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Pennie

    Just wanted to add my best wishes to the pile above. I do hope your son is able to go with you and that all goes well for you on Tuesday. Will be thinking of you.
    Chris
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Pennie

    Just to say Goodluck for next week.

    If you feel he is rushing you, give him the questions and say can you give me the answers to these as it is very important to me.

    I have done this and it works.


    Love Trish xxx
  • penfactor
    penfactor Member Posts: 366
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi all!
    Saw my consultant today - he was really nice & explained exactly why my op had not been best result. Apparently he has only ever had same problem once before. 99% of times all is fine but guess who was the 1% who are not?! He had to use the smallest joint but even that was too big so he had to make decision to stretch leg to fit. He explained that the reason he did not shorten the bone was because that leaves it prone to fracture. I have a difference of 1& a half centimetres and he showed me the X-ray in detail. He gave me plenty of time to ask questions & take it all in & apologised (though not his fault) for it not working so well.
    He also is looking into the prob with knee that side & is sending a letter for me & my physios about it all. I go to see him again in 6weeks when he will will review again & refer me for lift for shoe but we are hopeful will not have to be big shoe.
    My lovely son came with me & we were there from 1 until 5.30 as hosp is so busy. Exhausting again & as some you may have read my Dad is now very ill so our little family is struggling again.
    Thank you so much for taking the time to read this & love & hugs to you all.
    Pennie X
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ahhh Pennie,

    So he listend and explained to you in full, that is fantastic news to hear.

    Finger crossed that you might be better still in 6 weeks time.

    Pennie.

    We are all here for you about your Dad, if I can do anything for you, you only have to ask.

    love Trish xxx
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm so glad it was a satisfactory appointment, Pennie and hopefully, as Trish said, 6 weeks may show more improvement.
    Those hospital appointments are so exhausting, aren't they? Mine seem to be longer and longer these days.

    Annie
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Dear Pennie

    I am relieved to hear that your appointment went much better than you may have thought if would and that the consultant took his time and you felt at ease with him and he listened to you. That must have been an exhausting afternoon, being there all that time.

    I am very sorry to hear about your dad. My heart goes out to you. Many of us have been through similar so do have some idea of how you are feeling at this time and I am sending you gentle hugs and peaceful thoughts.

    Lots of love
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I'm glad that everything was explained and you know the reasons things didn't go as well as you'd hoped. Whe doctors explain things to you it makes a big differance and you have more confidence in them, I find.

    Hope all goes well for you now. Love Sue
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Pennie

    Thanks for letting us know. I'm glad your son was able to go with you and that you felt you did get the time you needed and some answers. Just so sorry you had to be that 1%. :? Take care of yourself.
    love
    Chris
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Penny
    Your consultant has a duty of care and he should be listening to your concerns. I would certainly want to know why one leg was longer than the other and what plans he had of rectifying it. Does it mean you'll need another operation? Be strong and confident it is your body and nobody has a right to make you feel this way NOBODY. It may help if you write a list of questions and firmly but confidently start your questions with the assertive "I". For example
    "I want to know why one of my legs is longer than the other".
    "I would like to know what you intend to do about it".
    "Iwould like ....................
    etc. Most people respond more positively if you start your questions or statements with "I" rather than the normal "why". Why gives people the opportunity to make excuses.

    I hope it goes well for you, be strong, be confident and be prepared.

    Sharmaine
    X

    PS Penny sorry just read through all the posts and realised you had your appointment yesterday - I'm half asleep today. Glad things went well and I hope they continue to go well for you.
    Regards and best wishes
    Sharmaine
    penfactor wrote:
    Hello everyone!
    I have my post-op appointment next Tuesday to have another X ray & find out how hip/legs are faring. As a few of you know, I now have a longer right leg so am lop-sided & am getting nervous as to what questions to ask. That is if I get a chance as the consultant is one of those who rushes you in & out & doesn't give you a chance to speak.
    I know I am going to ask about shoe-raises & whether I will be able to go back to work. This I can't see as possible as it involves standing, stairs & running around all day.
    My lovely son is taking yet another day off too come with me but I am still so nervous as it may be my last chance to get everything explained.
    love Pennie X
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,057
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Pennie
    Well done for getting all that information. So sorry you are the 1%, but then I always knew you were special :wink:
    I hope they will be able to help your knee and if you do have a shoe that it wil be small.
    Glad your son went with you - you know he probably WANTED to I used to want to go with my Mum.
    Thinking of you still with regards to your Dad.
    Love
    Toni x

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