Ot: Thumb Frustration

Darlene, I understand your frustration. Health care in Canada can be "hurry up and wait".. I re-injured my knee in February, and here it is 6 months later.... here's what has happened;

1. I saw my own doctor in April, after trying physio on my own for 6 weeks prior. This time it didn't help.
2. He referred me to a sports medicine specialist and prescribed a pain killer so I could sleep.
3. I saw the specialist July 19. He scheduled me for an MRI.
4. The MRI was done mid August, and I think it was a cancellation, because they phoned me and offered me an appointment for the next day. Yes, I took it.
5. I go back to the specialist next week (Sept 8) to find out what he will decide to do with this bum knee. If he decides to "scope" it or that I need surgery on it, who knows when that will happen.

I know I shouldn't complain, after all it's not life threatening, but it does bring down the "quality" of life. It's difficult for me to take my daily 2 mile walk for my health, and the pain is becoming a problem again. I hate taking meds, but will likely have to ask for the painkiller again, just so I can function properly. When the pain becomes a real problem, I have trouble negotiating stairs, sitting down and getting up off the sofa, and just plain sleeping. ;>(

I'm sending you some knitting hugs and hope your problem is resolved more quickly. {{{{{Darlene}}}}}

Shelagh

That's too bad, Darlene! Time to make some noise, I think...remember the squeaky wheel! :-)) Can you at least get yourself on a cancellation list?

Eimear

Oh, Darlene, that is dreadful! What reason did they give for re-scheduling? If I were you, I would contact my dr immediately. You have certianly suffered enough.

My prayers will be with you.

Hugs, Katherine

I didn't get any reason just a letter in the mail telling me that my appointment had been cancelled and my new appointment date.

I have just spent the last hour crying because of the pain and the frustration.

Trying to go to work everyday is difficult because of course writing is almost impossible and typing is difficult as well.

I am going to phone the hospital tomorrow morning to see what's up and then call my doctor. Because it's out patient they don't have a cancellation list, you just have to phone every week. Darlene in Toronto

Shelagh Thanks for the knitting hug and I am sending some your way.

We both understand the health system don't we. Hopefully we will both get answers soon.

I can't take anything with codeine in it so a lot of the pain killers are out for me.

Darlene in Toronto

What a dreadful situation! I feel like crying in sympathy even though I know it won't help. I have my fingers crossed that the cancellation was mistake on their part and they will recognize you can't wait an additional 5 weeks.

I'm so sorry, Darlene. I hope your call to the hospital tomorrow gets some results. That is terrible that they just keep you waiting longer and longer. I hope you find some relief soon.

LauraJ

Hi Shelagh,

I hope you have good luck with yur appointment. Not being able to walk without the knee hurting isn't any fun at all. Prayers for you.

Darlene, my prayers go out to you too. I hope you can get an earlier appointment. Keep us posted.

Hugs,

Nora

Darlene and Shelagh,

I am so sorry to hear that you are both in such pain and have to wait so long for your medical care. I hope that the situations will change soon and you will find some relief!

Janise

You poor thing! Please keep us updated. I'll keep praying for you.

Katherine

Oh Darlene ,, how unthoughtful of your hospital ,,,,,, in the mean time ,, wash it delicately with warm water ,,,, and tell it you have pity on her [ is a thumb female in English ?] Maybe if you go to Emmergency room and COMPLAIN enough about your pain ? it will Move their dates .... Thinking of my experience i feel with you mirjam

Thanks Nora. I appreciate your thoughts for me and for Darlene

Shelagh

Thanks Janise. Most of the time, I try to ignore it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't ;>)

Shelagh

Hi

Here is the update. I called the hospital this morning and the doctor is going on vacation for 2 weeks. I then made the comment that my follow up appointment had been moved to Oct 20th which was an additional 5 weeks and I didn't know how much longer I could deal with the pain.

You can probably guess it, a cancellation happened and there was an opening next Thursday at 9:30. Yes I took the appointment so at least I will know what is going on.

I will keep you updates and thanks again for all the support.

Darlene in Toronto

That's much better news as get to see the doctor even sooner than the original schedule. If you need surgery, I hope it can be scheduled without an extended delay.

I'm glad that they were able to "fit" you in next week, Darlene. I hope you will finally get some relief.

Janise

Excellent, Darlene! Please post as soon as you can.

Katherine

Shelagh, I am sorry to hear about your injured knee. I hope they have it fixed up again soon for you. I hate taking medications too, so I know what you mean about that.. but, yes, you do need to be able to sleep. *hugs*

Gem - (Oh, I got your mail yesterday. Thank you! :o) Could you please email me, I have a question for you... thank you! :o) )

Darlene, I am sorry to hear that you aren't getting your thumb looked after as soon as you had hoped to. That is really frustrating to be put off for a later date. I hope you can get it changed to an earlier date.

I can't take anything with codeine in it either. I also have a problem with morpheine (they gave me that after my cancer surgery 14 years ago) in it, or aspirin (I know, weird, huh?), and they just tried me on Zantac in the hospital about a month ago when I had chest pains again and my throat closed in like someone was strangling me. Guess that's what happens when you stay away from medication all your life and then suddenly they want to put some into you... the body just wants to keep it out. Ah well.... I hate taking medicine anyway! ;o)

Peace! Gemini