Thursday 4 March – I visit my GP to discuss painful and badly swollen knees. He considers it is now time for a referral to orthopaedics for their consideration.
Friday 16 April – Only 6 weeks later I am sat in the Orthopaedic Surgeon’s room weighing up which knee is the worst. A difficult one as they have different problems; we decide on left because ... well it had to be one or the other! I am booked in for an arthroscopy with either a synovectomy or knee replacement depending on the findings of an MRI scan. Okay I say, although not too happy about knee replacement as wrist replacement simply doesn’t work! But leave it to them, they know what they are doing. Don’t they?
Wednesday 28 April – Pre –op.
“Why? Surely it is a bit soon when the earliest I’m likely to be called is end of August?”
“We like to have all the routine checks done in good time in case you are called early”.
Full medical history taken. We talk about neutropenia which has now cleared up thankfully. We discuss meds and what needs to be stopped and when prior to surgery. BP is checked. Heart trace is done. Swabs are taken for MRSA etc. Weight and height checked. Urine sample checked. An array of phials of blood taken for analysis. I ask about waiting list as I’m away in Cyprus for two weeks in August. No problem it will be end of August at the earliest. All done, so I just sit back and wait for my MRI scan.
Monday 17 May 6pm – MRI scan. I phone and explain that I have a meeting to go to at 7pm so I shall I re-arrange appointment/meeting? I am advised that I will be away from the department by 6.30pm so no problem. Good news. I arrive. I hand in letter. I sit down. I wait.
“Mrs Wilson we don’t seem to have you booked down on this evening’s list” Oh no here we go. Just when for once I thought things were running smoothly. I’m far too optimistic and hopeful that’s my problem.
“It seems your appointment was changed to Wednesday” “Shame nobody mentioned it to me then!”
They will do it as I am there but I will have to wait. Okay, I will have to be late for meeting, it can’t be helped. Scan finally done and I get away, 40 minutes late but heyho ...
Tuesday 18 May – Phone call from pre admissions.
“We don’t seem to be able to find your heart trace, did you have one done?”
“Yes, definitely. I can even remember the conversation I had with the nurse”
“Oh well I’m sorry but it’s something we must have on record so can you come back on Thursday?”
Thursday 20 May – Heart trace re-done by same nurse who remembered doing the first one!!
Left knee is now feeling better with an increase in Naproxen. However Neutropenia has returned with avengeance.
Friday 2 July – Letter arrives with admission for Thursday 15th July. “Oh no!”
Monday 5 July – See GP who advises surgery inappropriate due to neutropenia. Suggests I phone and tell them. I explain about holiday on 4 August and he says they won’t operate as infection risk too high. But also I should not be leaving country with current problems. Eek ... will have to find a way round this!
I phone hospital and after being transferred three times I finally reach someone who has an inkling of what I am talking about! Hmm .. will have to speak to surgeon and phone you back but neutrophils are very low, am I sure I’ve got it right?! Heaven’s above!
Tuesday 6 July – Phone call from hospital. That was quick! “Oh, you are not calling in response to my call?” “What? Swabs are lost?” “Yes I can come in, but no not right now!” I explain surgery might not be going ahead and they say when other person calls back I need to organise new swabs with them if I am coming in.
Wednesday 7 July – Phone call from hospital. Surgeon is going ahead as he feels architecture of knee requires attention and risk of infection low. Will attempt to treat as a day case so I don’t have to stay in hospital environment. I explain about swabs and no I can’t come in Thursday as I’ll be in Lincoln! Yes, will come in Friday 9th. But, explain about holiday and flying.
“We usually recommend you don’t fly within 6 weeks. How long will it be after surgery?”
“Three weeks!” “Well as long as you keep moving about on the plane and exercise the leg you should be okay.” “Not happy! ” “You will be fine, just don’t tell anyone!”
Friday 9 July – Hospital. Just take a seat Mrs Wilson. Twenty minutes later,
“You don’t appear to be on our list for today”. What a surprise! I’m no longer even slightly amazed by the inadequacies of this ridiculous ‘lack of a system’. After half an hour the nurse reappears and does swabs. Done!
Sunday 11 July - Thursday 15 July is fast approaching. What now? GP says I shouldn’t be going abroad with neutropenia. I can’t leave it at home, can I? I’m sure I’ll be okay as long as I’m vigilant and careful, no sea, no eating out, wash everything etc.
But what about the op.? That is cause for concern. I’m spending the weekend trying to pick up an infection so that by tomorrow I won’t be well enough to be admitted. No luck yet! If I refuse the op I come off the list. I’m already suffering from being off the Methotrexate and because of the op I stopped Enbrel 10 days ago. I woke up this morning unable to move. 2 x 250mg Naproxen and 3mg prednisolone does nothing for RA!! If they do a synovectomy I might just be okay but can’t restart Enbrel until everything’s healed. What about all the sorting of luggage for 4 men? All the stuff to get etc..??
After all the palaver of to’ing and fro’ing to the hospital I feel as though I’m in a real predicament and haven’t the foggiest idea what to do next!
Lyn x
