Yesterday, I had a visit to the hospital, to see a consultant about my knee. I was hoping that he would do something or say something about what he was going to do about my knee but instead I got his registrar, who wasn't very helpful, he looked about 20 and made Lucy and I angry. It seems I'm not going to get a knee replacement but they won't tell me why, he'd made a good politician because you couldn't get a decent answer from him. He also lied and said my knee only had slight damage, where I have evidence of it being worse than he said.. I haven't a clue what is going on. I have now been referred to another surgeon, who might be able to help but I'm not hopeful. All I want to know is why don't they think an operation is appropriate and that four people including a diabetic consultant think that it is appropriate and what on earth can this new consultant surgeon do for my knee, than a knee replacement wouldn't. I must admit that I went away from the hospital nearly in tears thinking that this was all in my head and there was nothing wrong, and maybe the swelling that came up that in night in my knee was my imagination, thats how it got to me. I knew it was stupid but thats how I felt.
So this morning I rang two people, the first one is my rehab social worker and cry down the phone at her. She calms me down and says I have to wait and see this new surgeon, but when I do I have to ask, would it be possible to have another MRI scan, she thinks its silly that I haven't had one since the arthroscopy operation I got told it could worsen it) as it could've caused nerve damage, and don't worry, they don't give help that they have given me to anyone, they have to be thoroughly assessed by a medical professional (specialist physio in my case), they also get hospital and doctors reports, I have also received today a brand new wheelchair and again, they definitely don't give them out without someone needing them. If the other consultant I saw at Yeovil hospital didn't think that he could help me, then he must know why. I have to ask for a copy of his letter saying why he doesn't think he would be able to help me. I didn't recieve one.
So feeling better I phone Patient Advice Liaison Service, to complain about what the hospital is putting me through, I get through to this lovely lady who listens to my complaint and totally sympathises with me, She said she will find out what exactly is going on and why I shouldn't have a knee replacement. It could be my age as they don't like to do them when I am so young but then again they should tell me this or why not. Again she says it might be a good idea to wait and see this new consultant (hes the best) and he might be able to tell me more, they obviously think something is going on with my knee as they have referred me to him. They don't do that unless they think he could help someone. But she will try to sort something out about there attitude towards Lucy and I and will get back to me within two weeks. She also said that social services and the rehab team do not help anyone, or that I could get their services for something trivial it has to be a major problem especially, as I have now got a blue disabled badge as they are really hard to get.
At least I have loads of people helping me now and feel better for phoning up and talking to some people about it. So just waiting to see this surgeon and see what he has to say, its just my luck that I happen to need the NHS help when as I got told once by a GP that they are "bankrupt".
Oh well, that's my update, take care.
Amanda. xxxxx
