It's been a while
So I realise that it has been a long time since my last post, and this post has been sitting as a draft for nearly half a year. This is part one of what has been happening, otherwise this post would be too long.
In August 2013, I went to Queen Mary's Hospital in Roehampton, which is where the rehabilitation clinic is, and it was an amazing day. Not only were all my questions answered but I learnt a whole load more about the procedure, the recovery, the different types of prosthetics and about the clinic.
The hospital is amazing and very well equipped. Luckily, both the consultant and physio that I saw there were in agreement with me that I am making the right choice in having the amputation over the triple arthrodesis and were very positive. I will get so much more out of having an amputation. I left there excited, extremely happy and relieved that potentially I would be having the amputation in the near future.
The consultant at Roehampton referred me for an appointment in the surgeon's (let's call him Mr W.) clinic in a few weeks time. This turned out to be an extremely disappointing day. I arrived there excited and nervous, but positive. I was waiting with my wife and youngest daughter in the waiting room for about an hour and 40 minutes (though to be fair we got there an hour early) until we were seen, which normally wouldn't bother me, but when I am waiting to hear potentially good or bad news which will change the course of my life, that hour and 40 minutes seemed like a lifetime.
Finally we were called in and I spoke to Mr W. for about 5 minutes. I can barely remember what we spoke about. I didn't even get a chance to explain why I wanted an elective amputation. He mentioned my footwear being inappropriate by how they look (even though they are the most comfortable and supportive pair I have had for a long time) and did a brief examination of my feet, in which he asked me to take my jeans off as he needed to assess my knees (which was awkward to say the least). After this Mr W. left for about 10 minutes and when he came back he informed me that he hadn't looked at any of my previous hospital notes as he didn't have them and had no idea of what procedures I have had done previously, and although I had been looking into this for over a year it had only just recently been brought up with a medical professional and so he didn't want me rushing into things. He said that for now he would not do the operation. He decided that he would look through my past notes and then bring me back in for another appointment with him.
The hospital is amazing and very well equipped. Luckily, both the consultant and physio that I saw there were in agreement with me that I am making the right choice in having the amputation over the triple arthrodesis and were very positive. I will get so much more out of having an amputation. I left there excited, extremely happy and relieved that potentially I would be having the amputation in the near future.
The consultant at Roehampton referred me for an appointment in the surgeon's (let's call him Mr W.) clinic in a few weeks time. This turned out to be an extremely disappointing day. I arrived there excited and nervous, but positive. I was waiting with my wife and youngest daughter in the waiting room for about an hour and 40 minutes (though to be fair we got there an hour early) until we were seen, which normally wouldn't bother me, but when I am waiting to hear potentially good or bad news which will change the course of my life, that hour and 40 minutes seemed like a lifetime.
Finally we were called in and I spoke to Mr W. for about 5 minutes. I can barely remember what we spoke about. I didn't even get a chance to explain why I wanted an elective amputation. He mentioned my footwear being inappropriate by how they look (even though they are the most comfortable and supportive pair I have had for a long time) and did a brief examination of my feet, in which he asked me to take my jeans off as he needed to assess my knees (which was awkward to say the least). After this Mr W. left for about 10 minutes and when he came back he informed me that he hadn't looked at any of my previous hospital notes as he didn't have them and had no idea of what procedures I have had done previously, and although I had been looking into this for over a year it had only just recently been brought up with a medical professional and so he didn't want me rushing into things. He said that for now he would not do the operation. He decided that he would look through my past notes and then bring me back in for another appointment with him.
Needless to say after this I felt annoyed and depressed after how the previous appointment there had gone, and as my only other option would be the triple arthrodesis, which is the operation I am trying to avoid, I was worried I would be left with no choice but to have it.
A few weeks later I found out that Mr W. had discharged me and left me in the hands of my consultant, Mr R. at Chelsea & Westminster, only to find out that Mr R. had left me in the hands of Mr. W.
I rang up Mr. W's secretary to try and get another appointment with him but I had no response.
I managed to get re-referred to Mr R. and 3 months later a letter was sent out for another appointment to see him, but I didn't receive it as in November we got a permanent home from the council (after 2 years of waiting). We moved from a first floor flat, which was in horrible shape and smelt like greasy and cheap chicken, we lived on top of a fried chicken shop, to a ground floor flat in a small block which has a lot of modifications like handrails, wide doorways and hallway (wide enough for a wheelchair) and a wet room with a shower seat. Which has made my daily life much easier. Also it is much closer to family so if we need the help they are more accessible.
Speaking of wheelchairs, I also got a new set of wheels!
I
wasn't able to walk for more than about 10 minutes without having to
rest for a long time to carry on. So having the wheelchair, although it
comes with its own set of problems like using public transport or
accidentally knocking into the back of peoples legs, has made a massive
difference.
That's the first half of update. The next will be posted soon.
A few weeks later I found out that Mr W. had discharged me and left me in the hands of my consultant, Mr R. at Chelsea & Westminster, only to find out that Mr R. had left me in the hands of Mr. W.
I rang up Mr. W's secretary to try and get another appointment with him but I had no response.
I managed to get re-referred to Mr R. and 3 months later a letter was sent out for another appointment to see him, but I didn't receive it as in November we got a permanent home from the council (after 2 years of waiting). We moved from a first floor flat, which was in horrible shape and smelt like greasy and cheap chicken, we lived on top of a fried chicken shop, to a ground floor flat in a small block which has a lot of modifications like handrails, wide doorways and hallway (wide enough for a wheelchair) and a wet room with a shower seat. Which has made my daily life much easier. Also it is much closer to family so if we need the help they are more accessible.
Speaking of wheelchairs, I also got a new set of wheels!
That's the first half of update. The next will be posted soon.
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