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Thursday 13 September 2007

Latest News........

After the worry of taking my Dad to hospital last week, he's now feeling on top of the world! His blood sugar levels are normal now and he has had some wonderful news from the hospital.


You may remember he phoned himself an ambulance last Thursday because he couldn't stand the pain in his hip and knee any more. Whilst he was at A&E one of the nurses went out of her way to get him into an Orthopaedic clinic to see a consultant about it. Well on Monday (this week) a letter arrived asking him to go to the hospital the following day to see the Anaesthetist, with a view to carrying out his surgery in approximately four weeks time.


Dad went for the assessment and was asked to sign a disclaimer in case anything goes wrong during the operation, because of the state of his heart. Now this may not seem unusual but it seems his hospital records show that he has something wrong with his heart and everytime he attends hospital - which is quite a lot these days - they ask him if he's ever had a heart attack or a stroke and his answer is always the same - "not that I'm aware". We can only assume he has, at some time, had a mild heart attack and not been aware of it, but it has left scarring. Anyway, he was happy to sign the disclaimer as he said he'd rather die on the operating table than live with the pain! Cheerful isn't he!


The doctor confirmed that his surgery will probably be in about four weeks and he will receive a letter asking him to attend for his pre-op assessment at which he will be given the date for the operation. Dad's not sure if he's just having a new hip and knee or just the hip. I don't think they will do both together but we'll have to wait and see.


The way the hospital have responded to my Dad's plight has amazed me, as waiting lists can be months and months. Dad's so grateful to finally be having the operation which hopefully will mean he can get out and about again, especially to tend his beloved garden, but most importantly he will be pain free. The news that he will be having the operation fairly soon seems to have given him a new lease of life, he's sleeping better, and looks five years younger!

We'll be keeping our fingers crossed that all the pre-op tests go well and nothing interfers with the operation going ahead.

28 comments:

la bellina mammina said...

Fingers crossed from me too Akela - hope all goes well with him.

Anonymous said...

I am really pleased to read that your Dad is receiving the care he most certainly deserves! Great to also hear he is doing well and whatever they gave him at that hospital appointment, send some my way as I wouldn't mind looking 5 years younger! Love and {{HUGS}}, T xx

CG said...

That's great news; these ops can make a huge difference. So glad he is feeling better :)

laurie said...

that's great news. i hope they give him something to keep the pain in check between now and then. even four weeks is a long time to be in pain.

good luck!

RUTH said...

That's brilliant...I know how long waiting lists can be and it's a pleasant surprise to hear some positive news. I can just imagine how thrilled your Dad must be.
{{HUGS}} to all
Rx

Dumdad said...

It's good to hear something positive about the NHS for a change!
We wish your dad all the best from The Other Side of Paris.

Akelamalu said...

Thanks Bella x

I wouldn't mind some too T Anon. :)

Dad's friend has had both her hips replaced so he knows what the results can be CG, which is why he's looking forward to the op.

He's taking Paracetamol during the day and Tramadol at night Laurie and they seem to be working.

It certainly was a pleasant surprise Ruth we were all expecting for him to have to wait about 6 months!

Thanks Dumdad I will pass on your good wishes. :)

Unknown said...

Brilliant news, I hope all goes really well and that he's soon running around like a 2 year old (at least in terms of mobility!)

Anonymous said...

Great news to hear that you dad is getting his problems sorted out - and quickly too.

There are lots of good things about our National Health - but only the negatives seem to hit the headlines.

We have been fortunate to always have received good treatment - and in times of crisis it had been excellent - thank you for posting such a positive account of your dad's experience

(BTW - I have nothing to do with the NHS whatsoever - but was just thrilled that someone has taken the time to show their appreciation.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

this makes me so happy!!!

smiles, bee

david mcmahon said...

Great news about your Dad. I'm celebrating his recovery....

Julia Phillips Smith said...

I'm so glad for your dad. All my most positive thoughts heading his way!

Lo Kelween said...

great news! i hope everything will soon be fine with him.

5 years younger? wow...:)

Pam said...

wow! this is great news that they worked quickly to set his surgery up. i'm sure he'll be so happy to be w/o pain and do what he wants to do. i've heard of ppl having mild heart attacks, but never really think it is...they usually chalk it up to indigestion. i'm glad that they are aware of it tho. keep us posted!

Neoma said...

That is great that things are working out so well and falling into place for him to have his surgery. My Mom had a hip replaced a few years back, and it went well, she had been in a lot of pain also. It is so much better for her now. I will keep him in my thoughts....

Flowerpot said...

fingers crossed, Ak.

Cream said...

Great to see that the NHS is still alive and kicking.
Good luck to your Dad, Akela.

Annelisa said...

Looks like the knee problem runs in the family?

Anyway, good news he's getting an appointment so soon - that's amazingly quick!

Hope everything's ok with you, and that work is bearable!

(hugs)

the rotten correspondent said...

I'm sure he's going to feel a thousand percent better once the operation is done.

Then you can all start enjoying life again!

buffalodick said...

As always, best of luck to your Dad in the upcoming weeks. My folks are both gone now, but I do remember the days where I could give guided tours of the hospital they had been in.... Can be very hard on the people who care about them the most!

Linda said...

That is fantastic news that they are getting him in so quickly! I will keep my fingers crossed that the operation is a success for him and that he'll be able to get around easier once they're done.

He sounds like my Dad did about rather dieing on the operating table than living with some sort of pain. Must be a Dad thing!

Anonymous said...

My fingers are crossed!!!

Akelamalu said...

Thanks Pauline, I think Dad would quite enjoy running round like a 2 year old and not just in terms of mobility! :)

Thanks for calling in Allotment Lady. I also have had fantastic treatment with the NHS and you're right it's usually only the bad things that happen within it that are publicised.

Bee I'm so glad you're happy m'dear :)

Thanks for joining in the celebrations David :)

All positive thoughts gratefully received Julia x

Thanks Elween x

We were amazed at the speed of the appointment too Ciara. Dad still maintains he's never had a heart attack but something must have happened, thank goodness it was only mild.

Hip replacements are common place operations and very successful now. Nice to hear your Mom's worked out so well for her Nea x

Thanks for the support flowerpot :)

Yes the NHS is still going strong for the time being Cream but I'm sure I heard recently that they're thinking of scrapping it!

Arthritis certainly runs in our family Annelisa. Work is better than I remembered, so I'm doing OK thanks. x

I do hope so Correspondent. :)

You're not wrong buffalodickdy, but we'd walk over hot coals for Dad. You must miss your parents m'dear. xx

It does sound like a Dad thing Linda, thanks for the good wishes honey. x

Cheers Crazy Working Mom :)

Jo Beaufoix said...

Fab news. I'm so pleased for him.

It must be awful to be in such pain and not be able to live your normal life and do stuff you love.

Gledwood said...

Wow some good news for a change!

Long may it continue!

Akelamalu said...

Cheers Jo. I know from experience what it's like to be restricted in what you do so I so empathise with my Dad, and anyone else in that position. Hopefully his op will be as successful as mine,

It sure is Gleds, thanks. x

Shaz said...

ingers crossed here that all goes as planned & a speedy recovery to your Dad x x x

Akelamalu said...

Thanks Shaz x