Saturday, August 02, 2008

The appointment

I could write a book about my experiences with one particular hospital. Today was no better. On the way there I told the friend who took me in that I was going with zero expectations, so I could hopefully be pleasantly surprised.

They were surprised. No-one had made the appointment. I had a call over 2 weeks ago to tell me the appointment had been changed to today. I even called them yesterday to say I had had no paperwork and what time was it and where did I go. They supplied all the info. Unfortunately they never actually MADE the appointment. Good start then.

I was approaching volcano status. "The consultant won't see you without an appointment". Hello. I am not moving. I am not here for a bunion, I am here because I have damaged myself and have an injury which should have been seen 6 weeks ago. I will not move. "But we don't have your notes". I am more than capable of telling the man exactly what I have done, and as there is no proper diagnosis as yet, he can sort that one out. "I will have to ask him, but I don't hold out much hope." You misunderstand me. I am not leaving till he sees me. And believe me, you do not want to make me mad right now. I will be contacting the chief executive on Monday morning as it is.

Much scurrying about with me sitting there wondering if I am about to be bodily ejected from the building. Then the nurse re-appeared and said "He has agreed to see you." Gee thanks. I am overwhelmed. Wise man.

To cut a long story short, he saw me. I told him. He looked at the knee. He moved it and it made some clunking noises, and he stopped and said - that does not sound good at all. It is not supposed to do that. And I burst into tears. Finally. A consultant who has recognised that something is wrong. I have to have a leg brace for the leg and that will be sorted at the start of the week. You can't get anything done on a Saturday. I need an MRI but the waiting list could be as much as 6 weeks, so I told him I would see when the appointment was - I should hear by Wednesday, and if I have to wait more than a week, I will pay to go privately. He agreed that would be best. Or guess what - I would have to wait 6 weeks to see him again. 6 weeks in a brace. Immobile.

It is not going to happen. If I have this *&!*&%$ MRI next week, he can decide on the treatment immediately afterwards. I can't wait any more.

He says he has no idea how extensive the damage inside the knee is at the moment, or how much damage I have done to it over the 6 weeks. The brace should protect what is left of it. The worrying bit was when he asked how old I was. I told him that I was not ready for the scrapheap yet, and that I needed a fully functioning knee.

So I came home. Wiped out. I have been up since 4am again. I toppled onto the couch and slept for 3 hours. Everything is a battle. Everything. And you know what???? I am tired of battles.

Now I am going to go and compose a couple of letters. Of the volcanic variety.

PS: There appears to have been a sitemeter/IE incompatibility problem today in the blogging world. I could not open anything this morning but it is working ok at the moment. Just as well. I was about to take an axe to the computer.

18 comments:

Linda said...

Linds,
I just want to tell you I understand. We have had similar battles, and it is so emotionally exhausting (not to mention the physical problem that started it all). I pray that the rest of this will go smoothly and quickly.
In the meantime I pray the Lord will comfort you as only He can. I know He will do something special to let you know you aren't alone and that He loves you dearly.

Unknown said...

Linds, I'm so sorry about all the problems getting your knee seen to. And I know what you mean about being tired of battles. Sometimes it seems that nothing can be simple, that every possible complication and problem must be dealt with along the way. Arrrggghh!!! And after a while, you just lose the strength or desire to keep dealing with it. I'm praying for you and hoping everything can be taken care of quickly with a full recovery.

Judith said...

Linds, Do you know anybody in high places besides the Lord. You have obviously been too nice, too long. I would keep raising H..... or do sitins until somebody notices. Jesus got so angry and upset because things weren't being done right, that he threw some tables over. Some situations call for spit and vinegar. If your problems with this could be plastered in the morning paper, that might help too.

I do understand about being weary of battles.
But do not let their inefficiency chill your resolve. (I can't get these margins to do right). Know that I am praying for you.

zztop357 said...

Sounds like a lot of people need hearing aides over there.What part of "I'm staying til the Dr sees me", do they not understand?
Dang girl,We don't have it that bad here.It might take a week or two to get an MRI, if its not an emergency.
But if it is, the rest of the people don't mind waiting.I have went straight to the hospital and had test run.I hope and pray that your knee can be fixed and not too much damage has been done.
I'm sorry but this makes me mad on your behalf.I can't stand it that you have been in so much pain, and confined to home for so long.
I pray that you get your appt, and finally get on the road to recovery.
God bless, Donna

Chris said...

You sound like I did with the Everlasting Cough, m'dear. Tears galore when someone finally listened and agreed there was indeed something wrong that needed fixing. Good for you for...well...standing on your own two feet (so to speak) with the people with which you needed to be firm!

I do so hope you will be able to finally get some answers and a permanent fix to this situation. I know it's been so taxing for you. Thoughts and prayers are with you, my friend!

Crystal said...

Oh, LInds! My heart goes out to you with all this and still having a sore knee besides. I hope the medical system starts working for you, instead of against you. And I pray that there is no irreparable damage. Don't give up the good fight yet.

Thanks for the anniversary wishes. I wonder if we are twins that were seperated at birth!

meggie said...

I have a 'dicky knee' as they like to refer to them here. I know your despair. The effing around is bloody unbelievable!
I too had probs yesterday on blogger, thought I had lost the lot! All seems to be ok today.
But, the axe? yes it looks very attractive at times!!

Vee said...

Linds, this journey you have been on has been one of the most frustrating ever. I am so proud of you for standing your ground or sitting it as the case may be. Hang in there...write in your blog and vent, but hang in there. (Wasn't that sitemeter/IE mess a fright? I was ready to chuck my computer right through the front picture window myself.)

Karen said...

UGH!!! I feel frustrated with you. Inefficient health care systems really get my goat! There is no excuse for it!

I have a family member who is also waiting for a consult. He's had his MRI but the knee doesn't improve, and he waits.

Blessings,
Karen

Needled Mom said...

Oh Linds, the nightmare continues for you. I am so sorry that you have to go this long without a diagnosis and treatment.

To imagine people in the states wanting to go to socialized medicine drives me crazy when I read stories like yours.

I agree with you that you should do it on your own if the wait will be that long. Who knows how much more damage you will do between now and then? I am praying for a quick solution to all of this.

Meanwhile, fire those letters off!!!!

Jan said...

I am so sorry you had to go through that nonsense! Completely unacceptable!
Get yourself some much deserved rest and then battle on! If you have contacts in "high" places in the health care field, use them now!
Praying for you!

Dawn said...

I am with Needled Mom on the socialized medicine thing - free sounds good, until you realize it is not only not free, but you can't get help when you need it. I trust people are smarter than that, but I don't have a lot of hope!

I am so sorry - really sorry that it has taken so long for someone to take this seriously - and that you may have injured it more in the process.

My site kept "aborting" when I tried to open it this week-end. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one, and glad it's come back, but it was very frustrating. I had no idea it had to do with sitemeter, till several have mentioned it. What was the connection??

Olson Family said...

Thanks for visiting my blog. I've enjoyed perusing your's. It was funny you mentioned Engelberg - we made our (mine anyway) first visit there this weekend. Enjoyed it immensely. I hope you enjoy many more vacations in Switzerland with your sister. My mom certainly hopes we stay here a while longer.
And prayers regarding the knee. There's a UK woman in our Bible study whose sister has been awaiting various surgeries in the UK and we have become educated re: the 'queue's and the 'free medical' care. Does it come with "free patience?" Best Wishes.

Joyful Days said...

Between knees, and tickets and dishwashers and appliances, I am amazed that we don't see steam when we click on your blog--if I had all of that, you'd see steam rolling off of mine!!

I wish I could offer more than a prayer, but you've got mine. Praying for resolutions both medical and otherwise.

Keep concentrating on the Granny aspect of life. That is such a joy.

Blessings,

Julie

Pam said...

Sympathy from me too. I have to say that it sounds amazingly bad. I'm sure you wouldn't have to wait that long here for something so disabling. Maybe you should move to Scotland?? Hope you get that MRI soon.

Mary said...

Hang on kiddo! I am on the net right now trying to get a real cheap flight over. I tell you what, I have enough pent up aggression to take on these idiotic medics. I'll hold them down and you can whack em all with your brace.

We'll go to confessional later - or grab a coffee and blame the hormones!

Grrrrr to them.

K said...

That does sound like a horrible experience. No wonder you're tired!

someone else said...

Bless your heart, that's a horrid story! I'm so sorry this has been such an awful ordeal for you. I wish I was there to help you in some way.