((((Clare))))

I'm glad you're home and doing better. Medical "care" is a joke. When I was first diagnosed with diabetes the doctor told me to "watch your blood sugar," but refused...refused...to give me a blood sugar monitor for more than six months. I had to go up the chain of command before he condescended to give me one. It was supposed to be given to me, along with instructions on how to use it, as soon as I was diagnosed.

Yes, I want to see a TV doctor too, or be allowed get medical care from Harry's vet. Now that man is concerned about his patients.

Be well, friend.

Oh my gosh! I had no idea your procedure would be like that. I was one who was telling you that it would be "no big deal" and you'd be out in an hour, like I was for my bone marrow biopsy.

That's just rotten that you weren't fully informed. I hope you're feeling better today and that the results of your procedure will be good ones.

(((Clare)))

Leslie/KS

Well that's a bummer of a deal. I'm glad your home now anyway, and it's behind you. Continued prayers for good news and a quick heal.
Leslie

((((((((((Clare))))))))))

Glad your procedure is over and that you are out of the hospital and on the mend.

Good wishes and prayers coming your way from NY!

~Carol~

Glad its over for you--

Good Luck!

Donna (^_^)

Thanks everyone for your well wishes. Everyday I feel a little better and can do more but not trying to overdo it. I really hope I don't have to go back for more surgery. I don't mind the actual surgery, it is the recovery afterwards that gets to me.
Clare

I'm glad you're home, Clare, and sorry it didn't go as you thought it would. Hopefully, this is the end of the surgeries!

Feel better soon and YAY for DH, what a great guy you have there!

Hi Clare,
Gee, I'm sorry it was such a lousy experience. They gave you no instructions???? I always tell people (yes, I'm a busybody,) that they have to be fairly aggressive these days when it comes to finding out information about procedures, surgery and instructions. I can't for the life of me figure out why medical personnel are often so remiss in offering pertinent information and instructions. I know I probably irritate them, but I try to be polite while asking all question I can think of. However, when you're out of it and not altogether in your head, it's hard to think straight, and you just want to go home!
Can I ask if all went as planned? I hope you have a smooth and pain-free recovery.
Erin

I agree with sjerin (maybe it's the initials) - I think all hospital staff are so busy these days that they forget or don't recall if they've given out pre or post op instructions.
I'm not saying that is acceptable, but with the workload in healthcare these days it's certainly understandable.One does have to be a bit aggressive with asking the questions - if they find you too overbearing or annoying, so what...at least you'll know what you are to do before and after the surgery.
Suzan J

Thanks everyone for your good wishes and concern. I sure hope I don't have to go back for more. I won't know the biopsy results for a week. Keep your fingers crossed!

Erin - Thanks for asking and I don't mind. I thought we were on top of things with both the consultation and the pre-op where we asked a bunch of questions. What happened during the actual operation was never discussed or mentioned.

I was given a femoral nerve block right before they wheeled me in to the operating room. That was the first I heard about that. And no one ever metioned a brace that I would wear for 3-5 days or that I would need crutches. DH was there with me for both visits so we had 2 people to pay attention and he agrees that they never said anything about either of those things.

I was told I would only spend the night if there was excessive bleeding or complications. Since I didn't know about the block or brace I figured I would be walking out there that night with a small bandage. I didn't pack an overnight bag for the hospital or had taken anything to wear with the brace (since I didn't know about it.) Home was over a 2 hour drive each way so no way I could get those things.

We were both so tired and out of it, me from the proceedure and spending a sleepless night and DH from the driving and worry that we didn't ask the questions we should have when checking out. I am going to give them a call tomorrow and ask about everything. I will be very polite and professional, but I am going to discuss why I wasn't informed about the matters metioned above before the operation. If I am going to have to go back for more treatments from this DR I want to be better informed.

I am making lots of progress so far. I fianlly got to take a shower, which was fantastic. Funny how you appreciate the little things like that. And except for taking it easy and keeping my leg up, I am pretty much back to normal.

Clare

I'm glad you're home Clare and are finally feeling better. A shower is a miracle worker, isn't it. I hope biopsy report will be good. Take care Clare.
Linda

Gosh, Clare that was a tougher road than we all figured. I'm so sorry you had such a rude awakening. Hopefully, the healing process will kick in and you will be up and running.

Sometimes Hospitals/Doctors think we know how to heal after these procedures. NOT!

Take it easy, you'll soon be jogging in your neighborhood.

Gayle

Blessings to you!

Sometimes life brings those surprises, doesn't it?

Sorry that things were a lot more compicated than you'd figured.

I'm glad that you didn't have to go home with one of those backless gowns that the hospitals hand out!

ole joyful

Very glad to hear you are feeling better now, Clare. I remember when my daughter got to have her first shower after surgery on her acl (knee) and she thought it was absolutely wonderful. You have every right to be angry with those people and I hope you are able to tell them that they fell down on the complete job.
Hayjud, why wouldn't you tell them what you thought???? I do hope you will fill out the questionaire honestly as that is the only way to improve service. Does protocol not allowed us to mention the name of the hospital? This failure to explain all certainly is not specific to this hospital nor doctor; they all have problems, though some are worse than others. When my dh had abdominal surgery last summer he was very fortunate to have had a good experience, but then he was in the hospital for a week so there was plenty of time for questions and answers. It sounds like you (Clare) were kind of shoved out the door in a hurry. We're all hoping to hear of good results and like Hayjud, hope you'll take it easy even when you feel much better--easier said than done, huh???