More fab NHS.

dreamdaisy
dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
edited 11. Aug 2011, 15:50 in Living with Arthritis archive
I trolled in today bright and early for my ankle Xray, and they did both of them - dunno why, only the right was requested but I didn't argue. Some contortion was involved (if one can call lying flat on one's back and rolling your knees inwards contortion - duh, yes!) but the girl was a sweetie and I was in and out in twenty five minutes. I then sat and had one of the best lattes of my life in the caff, then swanned into A&E for my physio. Joy of joys it was the girl (OK, woman) who helped me after both synovectomies, who clearly remembered how my left knee used to be. She could not believe the difference in it now, so cold and small. That's the humira, I said but she immediately replied that it won't have touched the damage so the pain has probebly worsened over the years. Spot on, my lovely Sue.

She then examined me (Ow! Ow! Ow!) and concluded that I have been doing exactly the right thing - :grin: - and that I should carry on as I am. I will. She told me to stop wearing my beloved crocs on a day-to-day basis, just save them for best! Apparently they cause my knees to roll in thus not helping the rest of me. I pointed out that they soften the impact of walking, she pointed out that walking boots do too, I pointed out that they would look ridiculous with my floaty summer skirts and not being 18 I do not have the courage of my lack of fashion convictions to carry it out, she pointed that that was a specious argument and to get over the vanity issue. It's nice chatting to people who know one well! :grin:

She then told me that yon blokey I am seeing tomorrow adores doing knee replacements, that he is very good at them and is, apparently, a smashing fellow. We'll see about the last point but the first two points are far more important. We parted the best of friends and she said she would do my post-op physio. She seems to think it's a given. We'll see on that one too.

I have been going back and forth to Ipswich Hospital for eleven years now. It is like meeting old friends, an awful lot of people know me and I 'know' them. This dross has its brighter points. DD
Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I call that a result and a very good one. It's good to have medical people who know you and your foibles and aren't afraid to argue pleasantly. I like this woman. It will be great if she can do your post op (Hopefully there'll be a post op) physio. I suspect she can if it happens. If she's been there a while she is probably in a position to be able to choose her own patients. If she sees you as a challenge (And don't we all????) but someone who'll be honest about what's going on and prepared to really work with her she'll want to have a crack (Bad choice of word!) at you. Ditto the good surgeon. They love patients who'll make their handiwork really work. I was told, before my first TKR that my bloke was the best. "He doesn't lose his rag as much as the others. All orthopods rant and rave but he's the quietest." Kind of good news - I think.

    So - that's 2 out of 3. I'd like a hat trick tomorrow, please.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I bumped into one of the rhuematology nurses who is now working ortho. She's smashing 'cos she has RA and has to inject her meth and cheerfully admits she is total wuss about doing it but will happily do it to the rest of us - apparently 'that's different.' Dunno how. Anyhoo, I told her that I was going to be in ortho tomorrow and she immediately replied that she would try to change her shift so she can be there too to offer support etc. I am very lucky with the people I know - on here included. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • mig
    mig Member Posts: 7,154
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Lucky you hope everything goes ok.Mig
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 9,155
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD
    i pleased you had a good day today and i hope tomorrow goes well for you,
    take care joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD
    Thats 2 great apointments......I hope tomorrow goes just as well

    Love
    Hileena
  • nanarose
    nanarose Member Posts: 117
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    DD, how lovely to hear of caring, and competent NHS staff for a change.
    Yes, we all know about the other side of the coin unfortunately, rude consultants, sadistic physios etc, but very heartening to hear that you have found a treasure trove of the 'good' sort! :grin:

    Good luck for tomorrow.x
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    DD thats sounded a brilliant appointment and how nice is it of the nurse to try to change shifts so that she can support you when you have your appointment.
    And it is also good to know that your physio wants to help you too.
    No wonder you left a happy bunny :grin:

    I hope tomorrows appointment is just as good.
    Will be thinking of you
    Juliepf x
  • constable
    constable Member Posts: 2,115
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD

    regarding hospital appointments it's really going well for you. I do hope this luck stays for tomorrows appointment. I'll have my fingers crossed for you.

    Karen xx
    Karen xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ye gods, I am feeling it now. The knees are hell, the ankles are not far behind, I am so RIDICULOUSLY tired for a fat woman who has, let's face it, done beggur all today. I know I am very lucky with the people who have worked with me over the years but . . . . . . it all takes its toll.

    I will be glad to get tomorrow out of the way. Mr DD has promised to take me to the showroom to look at (and hopefully purchase) the perching stool - he (and me) are fed up with the Mowbray in the kitchen. He has also promised to take me for a curry tomorrow night. :grin: So, stop griping, woman, and get on with cooking a dinner you don't like (it's good for you, DD) but he does (and that matters more). (I think.) (Perhaps.) (Yup, it does! :smile: ) See you all tomorrow morning. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD, How far did you have to twist his arm for the curry :lol::lol::lol::lol:
    Why not get a perch stool from the OT?
    Good luck with tomorrow.......pity all the appointments were so close together.
    Love
    Hileena
  • magenta
    magenta Member Posts: 1,604
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD,
    I'm so pleased to hear about your appointments going well today. I wish you well for tomorrow.

    Magenta x
  • madwestie
    madwestie Member Posts: 383
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    DD hope all goes well tomorrow you will have to report back to us and let us know if he is Dishy.
    I hope the perching stool purchase happens I still can't get the image of a DD cooking on a bathroom chair :shock:
    I am envying you the curry out. But as mr DD is taking you then on balance I think he made up for tonight's dinner

    Tracey