Update part 2
Here is part 2 of my update.
As I missed the appointment, due to moving and not receiving the letter, I had to get another referral, this was in January 2014, back to Mr. R at Chelsea & Westminster... in June! So having waited nearly 6 months I was excited. I had to have some x-rays of my feet, 8 in total, and then I spoke to Mr. R again about having an amputation. He threw me another curve ball, this time he said that he wanted to just reconstruct my feet so that I would walk in a more "normal" way and the foot would be in the correct position. But there is no guarantee of pain relief. I think he understands that that I do not want the fusion now as he didn't really mention it. Mr R. said that he feels like the amputation isn't, ethically, the best option and he wants to try other routes first. But he referred me to one of his colleagues, Mr. C, who is also an orthopaedic surgeon to get his opinion. This is the consultant who I had actually asked to see in the first place but somehow ended up with Mr R..
I saw Mr C. Friday the 20th of June and the appointment went OK. He said that he thinks that the fusion may be a better option as that way I could keep my feet. The problem I have with this is that it could go well and help with some of the pain, but not enough to have made the whole process worth it. Or if it goes wrong then it will be more operations to correct it (if it fails completely then it is amputation anyway). But Mr C. did say that at the end of the day it is my choice and he respects my reasons for wanting an amputation and if I really want an amputation then they will refer to me to Mr W at Roehampton to have it done.
I saw Mr. R in August and he said that there is only so many times he can send me away to think about the other options, and I have obviously had enough time to think about it all, so he has referred me back to Mr W. at Roehamton and has asked him to consider performing the amputation. Mr R. also said that he understands and respects my reasons for wanting an amputation. I have now received an appointment to see Mr. W at Roehamton, which is in October, so with a little bit of luck he will say yes this time. Logically he should. I can't wait for this appointment, and although I am trying to not get my hopes up too high, I am hopeful that I will get the outcome I am after.
My feet are getting worse though. At least once a day my feet will buckle under my weight and I will either be lucky and catch myself or I will end up on the floor. Which hurts a lot and can cause my ankles to swell. I am getting really frustrated with this happening so often and on one occasion I got quite upset while on the kitchen floor after falling for the second time that day. It is also starting to get harder to walk in general. I now have two walking sticks to walk short distances and I am using my wheelchair more too, even around the house as the pain is just too much.
As I missed the appointment, due to moving and not receiving the letter, I had to get another referral, this was in January 2014, back to Mr. R at Chelsea & Westminster... in June! So having waited nearly 6 months I was excited. I had to have some x-rays of my feet, 8 in total, and then I spoke to Mr. R again about having an amputation. He threw me another curve ball, this time he said that he wanted to just reconstruct my feet so that I would walk in a more "normal" way and the foot would be in the correct position. But there is no guarantee of pain relief. I think he understands that that I do not want the fusion now as he didn't really mention it. Mr R. said that he feels like the amputation isn't, ethically, the best option and he wants to try other routes first. But he referred me to one of his colleagues, Mr. C, who is also an orthopaedic surgeon to get his opinion. This is the consultant who I had actually asked to see in the first place but somehow ended up with Mr R..
I saw Mr C. Friday the 20th of June and the appointment went OK. He said that he thinks that the fusion may be a better option as that way I could keep my feet. The problem I have with this is that it could go well and help with some of the pain, but not enough to have made the whole process worth it. Or if it goes wrong then it will be more operations to correct it (if it fails completely then it is amputation anyway). But Mr C. did say that at the end of the day it is my choice and he respects my reasons for wanting an amputation and if I really want an amputation then they will refer to me to Mr W at Roehampton to have it done.
I saw Mr. R in August and he said that there is only so many times he can send me away to think about the other options, and I have obviously had enough time to think about it all, so he has referred me back to Mr W. at Roehamton and has asked him to consider performing the amputation. Mr R. also said that he understands and respects my reasons for wanting an amputation. I have now received an appointment to see Mr. W at Roehamton, which is in October, so with a little bit of luck he will say yes this time. Logically he should. I can't wait for this appointment, and although I am trying to not get my hopes up too high, I am hopeful that I will get the outcome I am after.
My feet are getting worse though. At least once a day my feet will buckle under my weight and I will either be lucky and catch myself or I will end up on the floor. Which hurts a lot and can cause my ankles to swell. I am getting really frustrated with this happening so often and on one occasion I got quite upset while on the kitchen floor after falling for the second time that day. It is also starting to get harder to walk in general. I now have two walking sticks to walk short distances and I am using my wheelchair more too, even around the house as the pain is just too much.
Yesterday I had an assessment at Atos Healthcare to assess whether I am fit for work or not. For those who do not know, Atos are notorious for assessing people badly and sending people back to work who really shouldn't be working. Me and some friends made a joke that when I have my legs off I should send them to Atos, see if I am still 'fit for work' then. Bastards.
Comments
Post a Comment