How provisional is provisional??

speedalong
speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
edited 21. Apr 2010, 18:05 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi, just a quick question as feel really shattered tonight - first day back at work after hols and also been to youth club this eve with S.

How provisional is provisional?! Had a letter from hospital re my op date. When I went to pre-op and was given date - I asked how definite was it and the nurse said that basically they rarely cancel - they admit you to the admissions "lounge" and you go from there to your op and then they find you a bed ... preferably on ortho ward - but if not wherever they can ...

However letter said in big, bold capitals you are being offered PROVISIONALLY .... and then followed op info ... This has spooked me. Is this to cover their backs do you think ... and if so why is it in bold, capital letters??

Speedalong
I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.

Comments

  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Speedalong,

    I think most people are not cancelled but they have to say provisional just incase they have no begs or have an emergency one in but usually they have you in and so don't worry too much and hopefully its going to be done. Cris x
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    yes they need to cover there backs as people do tend to sue these days if a bug breaks out or a big traffic accident happens then they would cancel as beds would be all gone . sure you will be ok good luck val
    val
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Speedalong,

    I was not aware that it is worded like this now. A little unsettling, isn't it? The word provisional...... We are all aware that sometimes ops have to be cancelled due to whatever reason and that cannot be helped but having the word provisional in our mind weeks before, seems to make the whole thing "not real" somehow. Try to forget that word and get on with arrangements. :)

    Luv
    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.
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Speedalong
    They didnt use the word provisional with me but I had to be on the ward at 8am and was told to ring in the morning before I came in and check there was a bed available.....so I think it is just to cover their backs. A bit like the form you have to sign for any operation that says this can happen and that can happen....like my cataracts...could cause blindness or even death LOL...had both done and am fine. So its just covering their back...dont worry
    Love
    Hileena
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,883
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Speedalong

    Reckon they are just coevring themselves incase they DO have to cancel and people might complain?

    Still Scary eh? :shock: :wink:

    Love

    Toni xx
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks everyone, I think it was the fact that the word was in bold, capital letters freaked me out the most - if it was just typed like the rest of the letter - it wouldn't have been so bad ... Feels like they have planted an oaktree of doubt rather than a tiny seed ...

    Speedalong
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,883
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Feels like they have planted an oaktree of doubt rather than a tiny seed ...

    Speedalong[/quote]

    Nicely put :D

    Maybe if they ask for feedback ever you could tell them that - AFTER the op of course :wink:

    Love

    Toni xx
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Speedalong

    My letter also said provisional, in bold, but then went on to explain it was in case anything turned up in the pre-op tests, or you had a cold/infection/etc in the 2 weeks before the scheduled op...

    Fortunately, the hosp where I am going only does elective orthopaedic operations and doesn't have an A & E dept, so there isn't the same pressure on beds being needed for emergencies ..


    Marion
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi speedalong,

    The hospital phoned me today to let me know that my TWR op date is the 7th June and ..yes..it is provisional!

    My orthos made it clear that if an emergency case comes in (basically A&E) then my op could be postponed.

    All you can do is make the preparations and hope that it all goes to plan. I've never yet had an ortho op cancelled (probably jinxed myself now by saying that :wink: )

    I know you have a lot more to consider as you are relying on your friends to help with S but fingers crossed it will be OK for you. x

    Iris x
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Toni,
    Yes good idea to complain afterwards .....!!!

    Marion and Iris, thanks for your comments ... hopefully as I'm being admitted at 8a.m. they will do me one of the first ... AND find me a bed ... perhaps I should take a sleeping bag!!!

    Speedalong
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • efleure
    efleure Member Posts: 139
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi all, and Speedalong.....I'm in the same boat, and noticed everyone I've had dealings with re my op keeps saying provisional date,etc and the admission lady said it was not written in stone....and I'm worried like you, that after all my carefully laid plans re childcare, etc, the date will be changed and I won't be able to sort it all out! Best of luck to you though, and hopefully it'll all go through.x
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I don't remember this shadow of a doubt over previous ops - but they were years ago ...

    Doesn't help does it?!

    Fingers crossed hey?!

    Speedalong
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.