Followers

Friday 19 October 2007

Bionic family…….

Over the past few months my Dad’s hip has become increasingly painful and stiff so, about five months ago, his doctor referred him to an Orthopaedic Surgeon at his local hospital – the hospital where I had my knee replacement operation as it happens. The surgeon agreed that he needed a hip replacement and said he would see him again in three months.

Since then his hip has gone worse. You may remember he was taken into hospital as an emergency recently because of his blood sugar levels being erratic, and a lovely nurse on A&E managed to get Dad into an orthopaedic clinic whilst he was there, because he was in so much pain – a true angel she was!

About four weeks ago Dad received a letter asking him to go to see the anaesthetist to see if he would be prepared for the operation to go ahead. The letter also said the procedure would be carried out approximately four weeks afterwards. After explaining the risks to Dad and asking him to sign a disclaimer he said he would do it and agreed that the op would take place in about four weeks time. Last week Dad kept a long standing appointment with the surgeon, who told him he was on the waiting list and it would be about 3 – 5 months! Dad was devastated and really ‘went to town’ about how he’d already waited 4 months and he’d seen the anaesthetist etc., etc. The surgeon said he would put him on the cancellation list if he would be prepared to come into hospital at a days notice. Of course Dad agreed but was really upset at the thought he might have to still wait 5 months for his operation.

On Tuesday, this week, Dad telephoned the surgeon’s secretary to ask if there had been any cancellations and she told him he had only just gone on the waiting list! You can imagine how upset Dad was, he’s absolutely desperate and in so much pain, I have never, ever, seen my Dad depressed like that and it really upset me.

However, yesterday a miracle happened. He received a letter from the hospital asking him to go for his pre-op assessment on the 12th November and his operation will be carried out within four weeks of that date! He’s over the moon as he can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. There’s just one problem – he has an infection on his calf and is on his third lot of antibiotics trying to clear it up. Thankfully it isn’t a blood clot, as the doctors originally thought, but we know there’s no way his operation will go ahead until the infection has cleared up. We are desperately hoping the infection will clear up before he goes for his pre-op assessment then hopefully, within a few weeks, there will be another bionic member of our family.

Keep your fingers crossed.

28 comments:

CG said...

Will keep everything crossed for your lovely Dad!!

Linda said...

Best wishes that everything will go smoothly for your Dad. If his assessment isn't until the 12th of November and the surgery within four weeks after that, that should give him about 6 weeks for that infection to clear up. I so hope it does!

I understand his being depressed; when my back was messed up I was so upset about how long it seemed to take everything while I just limped around in constant pain. Sometimes medical people are just not horribly sympathetic, are they?

Unknown said...

Keeping everything crossed for Dad!

Lo Kelween said...

gosh...sounds pretty bad..but i am sure he will be better in no time! just be more careful in his daily life and he will definitely be better. take care!

Pam said...

keeping fingers, legs, and toes crossed! i'm sure everything will work out :)btw, have you heard anything about queenie and when she's spose to have her operation??

Elaine Denning said...

I'll keep everything crossed for him. x

Neoma said...

Hi Akela, i will keep positive thoughts for your Dad and his surgery. I know how grueling that long wait can be when you are in pain. It seems to go by so slowly. Mom had a hip replaced about seven years ago, she was 85, the recovery is long, but she was so glad to be away from that constant pain. No one who hasn't had a joint go bad knows just how painful it is to have bone grinding on bone.....Mom said here in the states they won't even do the surgery until you are in so much pain you just can't stand it anymore. I guess the reason is, they only last for a certain length of time, so they like to wait till the last minute. And she had been there for about five years......I remember how she walked, if you can call it walking. She is so much better now. She is taking those joint pills now to try and keep her other joint "oiled" so that she won't have to have the other hip done. She is 92 now, and just doesn't think she could go through it again. Your Dad will need 24 hour care for quite awhile after his surgery.......he is in my prayers.

Akelamalu said...

Thanks cg x

That's just what I was thinking Linda, he has time to get shot of the infection before the op.

I appreciate your thoughts Pauline x

We're hoping the op will make all the difference Elween.

Thanks Ciara. Queenie has had all her tests now and is waiting to hear from the surgeon. I'm sure once she has heard she will blog again.

Thanks Miss U, I appreciate it. x

It's good to hear you Mum is doing so well after her op Nea. And you are so right about only folk who have joint problems understand the grind of bone on bone - been there, done that, got the t-shirt! Thanks for your kind thoughts honey. xx

HAR said...

My thoughts are with your Dad. I hope they keep their word.

~ej said...

hope they keep up their end of the deal with a definitive date for the surgery. and prayers for your dad!!

Cindy said...

I hope your Dad will be able to have his operation. Sorry to hear he's in so much pain.

Paul Champagne said...

I'm hoping for all the best for your dad.

Waiting months for an operation to take away your dad's pain? Every time I start thinking that maybe universal health care might be a good idea, I hear a story like this one.

It may be very expensive, but my surgeon will fix me next week if I need it.

buffalodick said...

Hope everything goes smoothly on this operation. I'm sure he wouldn't want this to drag out too much longer...

Around My Kitchen Table said...

I do hope everything goes well with your dad. Like everyone else, I have my fingers crossed for him. Of course, one of the ways hospitals reach waiting list targets is not to put you on them!

lettuce said...

hope everything goes well. My mum had both hips replaced - really successfully - and it transformed her life.
I do hope it will be the same for your dad.

Flowerpot said...

your poor father, I do hope he gets good news soon. Fingers crossed.

Akelamalu said...

Thankyou Har, so do I! x

I think the only way it won't happen is if Dad doesn't get rid of this infection elena jane.

Thanks Cindy, I appreciate your thoughts.

Dad could probably get it done tomorrow if he went private Paul but he just can't afford it, so he's stuck with the waiting list unfortunately. :(

Cheers Buffalodickdy, I think it would just about finish him off if he had to wait much longer.

Yes that crossed my mind too Around my kitchen table.

We know a few people who have had hip replacements and the transformation is incredible as you say Lettie, thanks.

la bellina mammina said...

My fingers crossed for dad! My mom fell a month ago and broke her thumb and going for a surgery tomorrow, so fingers crossed for her too!

Gledwood said...

... "only just gone on the waiting list" ~ well they deserve to give him a big queue-jump for not having put him down far sooner!

And the smug cheek of all those health service politicians who smoothly assure us we have the best and most efficient NHS we have since time immemorial... when patently we DON'T and France, a country precisely our size in population has none of our troubles with their own free healthcare system!

Akelamalu said...

Thanks Bella. Sorry to hear about your mum honey, my fingers are crossed for her thumb! xx

Yep the NHS would get a 'could do better' report from me Gleds!

the rotten correspondent said...

Good thoughts heading your way. I'd like to think that six weeks is plenty of time for an infection to clear up.

Akelamalu said...

Thanks Correspondent xx

RUTH said...

Keeping everything crossed that the infection clears up. Waiting lists are so long even just for appointments and people's quality of life is affected. My best to your Dad :o)

Akelamalu said...

Thanks Ruth, the infection seems to be clearing up we just need it to stay away! xx

Mimi Lenox said...

Saying prayers for a complete recovery and safe hospital stay. Sending postitive vibes....

Akelamalu said...

Thank you Mimi your kind thoughts are much appreciated. x

MarmiteToasty said...

Hugs to your (((Dad))) oxoxox

Im to have a total knee replacement, I have me consultant end november... I also snapped both ligaments in me right knee playing football a few years ago and was under the hospital for almost 3 years with huge complications that almost cost me me life....

so to say Im scared about what is to happen with his major surgery is an understatement.....

The Naval Hospital use me ligament case in talks and lectures on the Worst Case Of What Can Go Wrong LOL.....

Ive already been in and they removed the cartlidge completely so its been bone on bone since Feb....ask me how painful it is LMFAO......

so, again, hugs to your dad OXOXOOXOX

Akelamalu said...

I know what you're going through Marmie! OUCH!!

I had a total knee replacement in February and it's the best thing I ever did honestly. I have no pain at all now and can walk normally after 20 years of limping!

Don't be frightened you won't regret having it done. x