MRI arthrogram

[oscarsmum]

Ditto on the work situation. I am so glad your colleagues are helping you, at least if you are getting support from them that helps.
Hope you get some good news about that referral tomorrow,
Kate xx

[Dee34]

Janet
just catching up after being away and I can't believe how awful your GP was. You really want to ask these people why they become doctors in the first place. I remember going to see a female GP a few years ago about the hip pain and getting upset and she offered me a prescription for paracetamol and told me to calm down. I wanted to punch her ! I think Kate's right - they obviously haven't experienced /had anyone close to them experience it - and just can't empathise.

I hope you get progress today with the referral and glad to hear work colleagues are being supportive.

Dee x

[Rayray]

It is strange isn?t it! Talking to my physio today she said ?so you were 26 years old, had to get up at 4am every morning because of severe back pain yet you were very fit. They did tests on your back and found nothing and then suggested that was normal for someone of your age by doing nothing?. She was right, for about 18 years I believed that most people had to get up in the night because of severe pain, and now I know they don?t. Why are some medical people so dismissive? I know there are time-wasters out there but don?t tar us all with the same brush!!!

I hope you have had some positive news today Janet.

[Janet]

Hi all,

Things are going well on the referral front - yipee! I received my copy letter of the referral Mr Ashworth wrote to Mr Fern, although it was sent to the Royal Cornwall Hospital instead of the Duchy. I phoned the Choose and Book lady at the Duchy, but she hadn't received the fax from my GP (I'm not even bother going to ring the GP surgery now). However, I wasn't too upset, as at least Mr Ashworth's referral had been sent. She said she would contact the secretary at the other hospital to get hold of the letter. My husband also faxed my copy of the letter to her, so that she would have it anyway, with all of my details.

I haven't got an NHS appoinment yet though, as she was just waiting for some more clinic appointments to be released. I should hear soon though, and I don't mind waiting for the actual appointment - I was more concerned that they received the request so that the 'clock' could start.

Am feeling more positive today, but very sore. I decided to give in and am having a couple of days off work (the big big boss told me not to be a martyr, and has been very supportive too), in the hope that my unoperated hip settles down a bit. I forgive the other one for being sore, given it's current state!

Janet x

[Rayray]

Yippee! I am so glad they have the referral ? now you know things really will happen and they are the best at The Duchy ? every member of staff is fantastic!

You are brave going into work and you must be careful. Are you having to use holiday up or are they giving you sick leave for the days you are taking off? I am going to attempt work this week again, on Friday. The Physio said to go in for 15 minutes but that just isn?t feasible is it and would seem pointless so I will do three hours.

[Janet]

It would seem a bit of a waste to go into work just for 15 minutes, so 3 hours seems like a good starting point. That's what I did when I very first went back, and it was just right. I was pooped by the end of it, but felt I had made a reasonable contribution to the workplace. It will be interesting to see how you get on this time. Your job is rather physical though - maybe you'll have to have the right balance between the admin and the physical stuff.

I am having these couple of days off sick, but I have planned one day a week off as annual leave throughout August. I am very lucky indeed, as I get 6 months sick pay on full pay, then it goes down to half-pay. But I think it is a 'rolling' system, so by the time I get to November, I think it starts again, week by week. I had my surgery last year in the November, and had 11 weeks off, so I'm really not too worried about that side of things. I am very lucky in that respect. I don't want to abuse the system though, which is why I have still been going into work as much as possible, as most of the time, I can still do my job (albeit on restricted duties), and I can manage the pain. It does make me very tired though, and I may still consider reducing my contract to 4 days per week. However, I'll last out as long as I can, as if all goes to plan, I may have the surgery in November, and I think I could just about manage until then, with some annual leave too.

[Spam1]

Yay Janet! Thats great, so now its just countdown to your appt (once you get one) and anything that needs doing. Glad work are so good too, and your boss is right, its no good you sitting there in loads of pain. Hoping you are enjoying a few days off and a rest with your feet up.

Fingers crossed you get the date asap xx

[oscarsmum]

Thats great news Janet.

I did the same as you, took holiday leave for one day a week pre-op, it really helped.
Take care
Kate x

[Janet]

Hi all

Great news! The Duchy phoned this morning and I have an appointment on Thursday 10th September to see Mr Fern, which is one week before I'd booked the private appointment, which I can now cancel. They have been brilliant, and I'm very relieved.

Work have also been very good, and we have agreed that I'm going to do clinical work for 3 days, and admin for 2 days each week, to give my hips a rest. I'm really pleased with that, as I may not need to go down to 4 days then - I'll just see how I manage with that.

So, good news all round. Hope everyone else is OK.
Janet x

[Carolan]

I'm glad your work are being good to you Janet and that you've managed to get an appointment. Its not that far away either it is - I'm meant to be going on holiday to amsterdam that day and was only thinking yesterday that i might not be up to it.