Looks like the soonest I will be able to see an orthopedic specialist is Thursday morning. Very frustrating. If I could type better, I would go on a long rant about the absurdity of our health insurance system. This is not a covid-related delay. Nevertheless, it is what it is. Mike and I spent several hours on the phone this morning just trying to get an appointment with someone….anyone. Meanwhile, black kitty has medicinal cat duty right now.
15 comments:
Hang in there. Waiting for specialists is a way of life in medicine everywhere, more patients than doctors these days. You are right that this delay isn’t COVID-related. Unless instructed against, I found ice packs (the designated frozen pea bag) used twenty minutes every hour was most helpful for pain reduction. Please use a dish towel or “quilter’s cotton” (2-3 layers) between skin and baggie- encased peas. No frostbite needed! Elevating your hand above or to heart level-think hand to heart- while maintaining shoulder immobility will help with hand swelling.
Cat snuggling and Audio books are the best medicine for “The Wait”.
If you can borrow one from someone or buy one a Polar Care Cube is the best for pain that I found when I hurt my shoulder in May. It was amazing. It is not actually ice against the skin but is cycles really cold water. I had borrowed one but would have bought one if I had to as it was so much more effective than ice. It has a shoulder attachment. My daughter in law had used one when she had ankle surgery which is how I knew to ask around for one.
I found that sleeping in the recliner was the best way to sleep and both my Orthopedist and the hospital recommended it for sleeping. We ended buying one with an electric control that I could pull to the left since I couldn’t use my right arm.
I was just thinking about you and wondering how you were doing. How frustrating! Waiting is so hard. I hope your pain is more under control.
Take a deep breath. Thursday is frustrating, but actually very good. My first ortho offered me an appointment 8 weeks away after my MRI result said that surgery should be done stat. I finally find a guy with better ratings who could see me in a mere two weeks. Thursday is good. Which does NOT mean you need to be happy about it.
Hang in there, I know it is not easy. And it could have been worse, so glad it was not! Hope you get some doctor assistance soon! Prayers for you and Mike too!
Oh that is so difficult--
Hope you get some good news at your appointment...take care and
rest and read...maybe binge watch a series? Glad you have
DR. Kitty to help you....;))) hugs Julierose
It took 7 months to figure out what happened to me. I was pretty nervous for months, but eventually I got good news. Most of the wait was due to a lack of communication. (They said they would call, but didn't.) And I'm sure covid played apart in the wait too. But I'm grateful to all the doctors that took care of me. Hang in there!
I don't have any advice or experience to share, so I'll just send good, healing vibes in your direction. And maybe be a little jealous of the forced kitty snuggle time!
This is one of those times which I truly wish we had Magic Pixie Dust as I'd like to sprinkle it over you to make this all be better. While not soon enough, soon you will be with a specialist and have a better idea of what the best treatment options are. In the meantime, I hope you still have some of that yummy Tequilla a friend sent you. And, I task you with finding the best take out, or prepared foods you can find. Have you tried the Costco meat lasagna? We don't eat it often, but it is easy peasy, tasty, and makes for yummy leftovers. Perfect with a prepackaged salad and prepared garlic bread.
Rest, and realize you are beginning to heal as you do. It was 4 days before I saw the orthopedic and then he said my age was against me if I had surgery. The recovery was longer and harder if they put in a plate, etc. Nothing had shattered and the ER had pushed things back in alignment , so that was it. I stayed in the sling for 4 months. That was all I could bear. So I thought the orthped guy was useless as tits on a bull. Therapy gave me the movement back.
You are doing much better than I did as for handling it. Really....all I did was rant and cry.
Well, that stinks. Glad you have the kitties to give some comfort. Hang in!
I understand your frustration- I lost a filling from a molar on a Saturday so I called the "Emergency dental" number- they said they could make an appointment for me- the following WEDNESDAY- how is that "emergency"? I was afraid to eat anything for 4 days- luckily it didn't hurt. I am thinking of you and praying that the pain will subside.
I know it has to be hard to have to wait but I suppose in the grand scheme of things Thursday isn't terribly long. Here you can wait months for many appointments. Looks like you have a good bit of furry comfort going on and that's soothing I'm sure.
I second the Polar Cube Care. It is a wonderful, drug-free pain alternative. Get everyone you know in town looking for one with the shoulder attachment. I will also second the Costco meat lasagna. It will make an easy meal for Mike to fix. Put on a supportive tray and stick in the oven. And it’s is tasty. And the tequila, makes sure you don’t do anything stupid. Give your barkeeper an evening job. I also like the Frontier Soups at Whole Food. Easy to make. Read the extras you need to buy before leaving the store. It’s like taking a dehydrated food and adding the fresh yummies. The Chicken Tortilla Soup is one of my favorites. You add salsa and chicken strips when cooking and tortilla strips are added just before serving. We sometimes add avocado as a garnish.
Thank you for giving us updates. I do like for your post each morning to see how you are doing. I don’t expect it as your condition can change as well as your mood. Hope you can rest peacefully.
Getting in to a specialist is nightmare, we found that out last year when My Guy had all his heart issues. Hopefully after your appointment this morning you'll have a defined direction and less pain.
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