Patience is most definitely a virtue when we find ourselves as patients in a hospital, doctors room or an out patients clinic. After years of mentioning pain in my leg to various doctors I was finally on the merry go round of different scans, x-rays, cat scans, blood tests, doctors and specialist appointments where the catch phrase ‘hurry up and wait’ seemed very apt. Although I may have mentioned my dislike of having to wait around past my appointment time at these places I understood why we have to wait. Others may be receiving additional care, priority treatment, or grief counselling, depending on the outcome of their tests. We all would like the same courtesy provided to us, under similar circumstances. Every single health care professional, receptionist, administrative organiser we encountered on these initial tests were friendly, helpful and happy to assist in any way possible. It pays to always be friendly and personable, not just in case they can help, but also because we should always treat others the best way possible.

I knew before arriving at the hospital for what the doctors insisted on calling major surgery that I would be on bed rest for between 5 and 7 days, then once I was out, home on rest for up to 6 weeks. The skin graft was the reason for the extra bed rest. After a knee replacement by itself I would have been up within 24 hours. I knew was a wait, so had planned plenty of activities, books, puzzles, writing, reading, work, television shows and movies to keep me occupied both in the hospital and at home. I had been given enough information to know that it could hurt a lot, there would be a lot of medicine and as there was a skin graft involved as well it would be limited movement. So, after the surgery I was surprised that not only wasn’t I as groggy as I thought I would be, but also the pain was very low. I assumed the level of medication was dulling the pain and that as the days wore on and the medication wore off that would change. I heard everyone else around me who were allowed up, speaking of pain to a mid to high range. I was not moving around much, and the anaesthetic may not have yet worn off. Day 1 and 2 after surgery more people were getting up, walking, icing their limbs, and on strong pain killers. I was not allowed up yet, but was surprised at the lack of pain and lack of pain killers needed. So were the nursing staff from what I could tell. The only visit from the doctor, was a 2 minute walk past, that the surgery had gone extremely well and I would be getting up day 5 or day 7. As I was doing so well I was moved out of a ward and put into a private room. That was day 2. Apart from the removal of my drain during which the nursing staff were impressed by how well I was healing (and I was surprised by how much work they had done to my leg, judging by the shape and the seam lines) and the medicine delivered a couple of times a day, I was left to my own devices, as long as I didn’t move. No doctors or other staff visited day 3 or 4. The kitchen and cleaning staff were extremely friendly but unfortunately could not tell me what expectations to have about next steps. Every nurse I asked, and there were many over the days, had a different answer, and none of them were particularly helpful, especially the conversations where they were not aware I was on bed rest or what medications I was on. So I wrote down all my questions, for when (or if) I saw the doctor. I asked the nurses to please send the doctor and or the physio staff up if they saw them.

By day 5 I wasn’t feeling like a particularly patient patient at all. Despite my impatience at the lack of knowledge of some of the staff, the mixed messages and the lack of detail I persisted.  The physio lady, a very experienced lady by all accounts, provided me with more information than we had been given since arriving in hospital, timeframes, next steps (pardon the pun) and what to expect. At the end of the day one of the doctors came in, and answered more of our questions. Its only day 6 now, but I have had my dressing changed and fingers crossed may even get to stand up, or maybe walk tomorrow. The initial information about this operation was that it would be a 7 night stay. My recovery have gone ‘according to pan’ and ‘better, quicker than expected’ yet it will be day 7 or 8 before I am up and about. I understand every surgery is different and doctors have to be cautious with timeframes. My recommendation would be to err on the side of caution and add on an extra few days fudge factor. Especially from those of us who live a long way away from the hospital. That being said, although impatient, I have been impressed with the quality of care. Fingers crossed this will fix the problem and I will be up and running on my bionic knee in no time. 🙂