Just to complicate matters further . . .

dreamdaisy

I went to rheumatology today to collect my meth and asked what should be done viz the meth and humira in view of the forthcoming op, confident that they would tell me to stop. Alas no. The conclusion is that I have to stay on the meds so that I avoid the possibility of a flare whilst I am healing post-op. (The fact that one can flare whilst on them is, apparently, immaterial.) Ye gods.

As I won't be able to do my injections (and they don't want my husband to do them) I have to go to hospital next Wednesday afternoon to have my meth done. Hells bells. This will be hopefully more than 24 hours after the op but even so it's going to be complicated. I am searching for the humorous side but so far I'm failing to find it.

I know that compared to what valval and May are facing this is extremely trivial but it's come as a small shock. I hadn't taken this possibility into account as I was focussing on avoiding post-op infections but I'm sure we'll manage somehow. Now to tell 'im indoors. I think I'll wait until het gets in tonight. This time next week I'll be a DefunctDaisy!

knuckleduster

Knowing you DD I'm sure you will find a way of coping, but I fail to understand why your husband can't do your injections. Good luck with your op. By the way, if you can't use your hands, how will you keep us updated on your progress. I suppose you could always type with your nose

Janet xx

Numptydumpty

These things are sent to try us DD. I should think you will soon be completely "tried".
Right after my fusion, I found any jolting, be it from walking or riding in the car, quite painful. I remedied this by wearing a sling for support. I don't know about double slings though!
You are a strong, capable person. This I'm sure, will see you through.
(((())))
Numpty

stickywicket

It's always the unexpected that throws us, especially when we have made careful, sensible plans which are then thrown into confusion.

You, me and everyone else on here know that you and Mr DD will cope but a little re-jigging will be necessary.

Numpty's advice of a sling is a good one. When all bits of my arms and wrists were playing up together, I used to tie a scarf round my neck and use that. You'll soon discover the most helpful position. For two arms I'd use two scarves so that each wrist can do its own thing. You can ask Mr DD to put them round your neck once you're in the car and remove them before you get out.

dreamdaisy

Thank you for your kind replies. It's sinking in a little now and I am hatching schemes and plans about the unknown situation I will shortly be facing. They do not want Mr DD to do my injections as he hasn't been 'trained' - Gordon Bennet, they're sub-cut so not complicated but I will leave the choice to him: stab me or load me into the car, struggle to find a parking place, load me into a wheelchair and shunt me into rheumatology. Mind you, when it's humira week that will mean two trips to hospital but I am hoping to avoid that by doing the H on Sunday evening. By the following Sunday fortnight I may have some use of me digits. Fingers crossed - oh, forgot, I can't do that! Even if I had the hands done one at a time I doubt I'd be able to self-inject and anyhoo it's only a short-term problem.

The double-sling idea is a good one (especially a double gin sling ) so I'll dig out some large scarves and we'll have a practise. There will be ways around this, as Sticky so wisely said it isn't 'I can't', it's 'How can I?' or rather 'How can we?' Chin up DD, give the b'ggers something to aim for.

barbara12

Oh DD.. I for one thought you had most things covered, then this , its all you needed, suppose its back to the drawing board...sorry I cant offer any help, but if anyone can get through this its you and Mr DD xx

villier

awe DD how frustrating as i'm sure you had it all worked out in your head, but you being you i'm sure you will manage to replan, where there's a will there's a way and you got plenty of, i'm sure between you and mr DD you will hatch a plan, my next physio app is the day of your surgery so if you don't mind i will hop in your pocket after my app and will bring along my sling if not needed any more xx

dachshund

Hello DD
i know you and Mr DD will work it out some way i'm sure you will find a funny side to it all good luck
will Mr DD let us know how you are getting on.
take care
joan xx

dreamdaisy

It's now become even more complicated. Rheumatology have recently decreed that injections can only be done on a Tuesday between the hours of 8.30am and 12.30pm. Seeing as how they have been done over two days for the past few years fitting everyone into that little time frame is going to be tough as the nurse there doesn't get herself into gear until at least 8.55. (I had an 8.45 appointment this morning, I got in at 9.10 which was actually pretty prompt!) Hey-ho, we will pitch up next Wednesday afternoon and DEMAND my injection if they say they can't do it due to their stupid new rule.

Mr DD has just come home to carry on working but we have discussed it and, actually, he is not too happy at the thought of injecting me (I can't say I blame him) so he is happy to act as chauffeur and shover. He is also bemoaning the dearth of joined-up thinking whereas we all know that that's par for the course.

As for updates, well, all will be quiet on the Daisy front which won't harm anyone (although I will miss you all hugely). I do have a PA lined up but what I haven't fathomed yet is how to stay in contact with them - does anyone have a spare carrier pigeon? DitheryDaisy.

tillytop

I am sorry DD about the added complications. You really could do without it. I don't even pretend to understand the "logic" behind their thinking given the usual instruction of not doing the meds if you are under the weather or unwell in any way. To me it would seem that minimising the potential for infection would be the most important consideration post op - but hey, what do I know. :roll:

But you being you - and that is meant as a compliment - I see that you are already planning and working out the best way to accommodate this latest issue -and I do admire you for that.

Thinking of you lots.

Tillyxxx

dibdab

Oh DD, we'll miss your quiet common sense and wisdom- have you got voice activated software to share your thoughts ?????????

But seriously, just wanted to say hope it all goes well and the recovery period is speedy. Is there any way of arranging for the district nursing service to come and do your injections post-operatively for a week or two, could your GP surgery sort it perhaps if they're at all helpful? Just a thought-don't know whether there is any mileage in it.

Deb x

villier

good god DD you are certainly not having much luck, it's one thing after another, as deb suggested can you not try your surgery for their nurses to do it, i can understand mrDD not wanting to do it to a loved one..................hopefully something can be worked out to let us know how you are doin as i'm sure there will be a lot of people anxious to know how you are, hope you can get things sorted out..........marie xx

dreamdaisy

There is a good reason behind this thinking and I wish someone had taken the time to explain it to me (viz Mr Ortho Surgeon, now to be abbreviated to MOS). I learned yesterday that he has worked closely with rheumatology over the past few years, especially with one of the R consultants, and MOS wanted me to stay on the meth etc because that will reduce the risk of flaring and therefore undoing his good work in a matter of hours. It makes perfect sense so why didn't he tell me that instead of just saying keep taking the meth? :roll: I think people like him forget that people like me don't necessarily know what they know, being a mere amatuer at this malarkey, I was foucsing entirely on the risk of infection (and yes, trying to weigh up the odds on how likely it would be for septicaemia to finish me off thanks to the lack of an immune system trying to fight a galloping infection. )

Now I understand the reason behind this decision I'm happy. It's going to be a faff and a fiddle but a necessary one. Mr DD has said he'll do my humira for me on Sunday so at least he's had a shot at it, thus when the next one is due on 02 December if my hands aren't up to it he'll be familiar with the procedure. He and I both feel that that is an entirely different process to the meth and he doesn't need training to press that plunger. He's watched me do it often enough as well so that's OK. Hey-ho, five days left and then I'll have a better idea of what's what. Bring it on. DD

stickywicket

That sounds like a good humira plan.

As for surgeons or even GPs, I think they often seem to categorise patients to simplify their own lives. Either they assume they have an IQ in single figures or, if the patient shows an ability to tell their *rs* from their elbow, they assume they are a fully paid up MRCP.

I always feel reassured when my surgeons and rheumatologists are liaising.

dreamdaisy

Another complication. My GP's surgery has lost the form they need to complete for me to take to the hospital on Tuesday and my temper has slipped. That is not a usual circumstance for me and I'm not sure who is the most discomfited, 'im indoors or me. I think it might be me. :oops:

I don't have to be like this so I had better sort myself out but truth be told I don't want to. I want to sulk (what about?) and be grumpy (why?) His mum recently died and I should be concentrating on him and his needs. Grow up, Daisy.

salamander

I haven't read through all the posts so maybe someone has suggested this to you already - why can't they send a community nurse to your place to do the injection? It's mad to make you travel to hospital when you've got both hands recovering from surgery.

dreamdaisy

I thought about that, Salamander, but I can't be bothered with the admin. For the first fortnight Mr DD can chauffeur and shove, after that well, I'll wait and see. DD

salamander

Occurred to me after I posted your gp surgery might send someone - should Mr DD not cope with the extra duties. Shouldn't be difficult for them to organise.

dreamdaisy

Ah, this will be the surgery that's lost a form from the hospital. It's not worth the bother, honestly, I would far rather have matters in my / his hands than relying on unreliable strangers. I will have the first two weeks' worth done at the hospital, if after that a dose or two goes missing well, so what? We will still be doing the humira at home and, as far as I am concerned, the meth is very much the support act.

Thank you, Salamander, I appreciate your thoughts on this troublesome matter. DD

salamander

well, I hope it all goes well in any case.

dreamdaisy

Relief! 'Tis all sorted. I went to the hospital for bloods today then wandered into Costa where I saw one of the rheumatology nurses. She is semi-retired now but also on injected meth. (She's the one who happily stabs the patients but has to psych herself up to do her own.) She asked how I was, I related my sad tale of woe ( ) and the upshot is she is going to pop in next Wednesday morning on her way into town and do my injection for me. Bless her. She volunteered to do it, she said it makes perfect sense rather than Mr DD and me struggling up to the hospital and her fee is three of my favourite recipes and a coffee. I think I can cope with that.

I feel easier in my mind now I know I won't be having to deal with that the day after my surgery. Phew! DD

stickywicket

Ah! That all-too-rare quality of so-called 'common' sense, coupled with a spot of kindness. That's good, DD. So much less stressful all round.

kentishlady

Hi Daisy. Am so glad you've at least got that sorted and can imagine you must be feeling relieved that that is one less thing for you to worry about. Do hope all goes well for you and shall be thinking about you. Will be in your pocket, if you need me (will have to be a fairly large pocket as I'm on the tall side!) but add me to the list of well-wishers. Shall miss your postings and shall look forward to getting any up-dates you are able to let us have via 'bush-telegraph'. Take care. Beryl

mig

A friend to treasure.mig

villier

what a relief, great news DD it must be putting your mind at ease a wee bit, hope you have a lovely weekend and don't have to much time to think...........tc............marie xx

dreamdaisy

As 'im indoors wil be there I'm not asking for PDs but I will appreciate some kind thoughts winging their way towards me. Husband has promised to stay with me until I go in for surgery and he'll wait around whilst I'm being done. I have to check in at noon and the surgery will happen anywhere between 1.30 - 5.30 but as I'm a double I'm hoping for an early time. Gulp. Just a couple of days to go. As Lady Penelope Pitstop used to say - 'Haayulp!' DD