Surgery nightmare

[tito]

Hello everyone,

I've been silent for a while - I think I told you that I was diagnosed with avascular necrosis in both hips, and was waiting for my fourth appointment with an orthopedic surgeon (a well-know surgeon at one of Boston's top hospitals) on May 27. I had the appointment and the surgeon agreed to do a hip replacement (right side first). He wanted clearances from my other doctors, so I set about getting those. Each one had something that was not complete, or doctors were out of town - the whole process started to drag on and get more ridiculous.

I really wanted a date for surgery - having gone through extreme hip pain for about six months and now being held up by these clearances. I put my foot down and asked to be scheduled pending the clearances. As you may remember, my wife has lymphoma and we really wanted to plan our summer and have some enjoyment (I'm a teacher and have the summer off). Besides, I was in severe pain and wanted to get this surgery done.

Well, they offered me June 23, then called back to offer June 9. I rushed to get my cardiologist to call the surgeon from out of town - I had three working days until the surgery. I also made emergency plans with other teachers to cover my classes and exams.

At our appointment the day before the operation, the surgeon was furious with me. He didn't like being called by the cardiologist to have clearance based on a stress test last Sept. (the cardiologist was ok with it). I was caught in the middle of the two doctors. He also didn't like that I had strongly requested a date for surgery.

When I asked about the materials to be used in the new hip, he barked "metal and plastic". When I started to read the consent form, he barked that it covered everything up to death! The nurse in the room rolled her eyes. (Notice: he did not counsel me about any possible complications - see below).

Well the surgery was done, I woke up in extreme pain (a 12 on the 1-10 scale!) and with a numb foot and leg.

Apparently, I now have sciatic palsey and drop foot, a rare complication of thr. Nobody will say whether  it will go away and I will regain the use of my paralyzed foot and parts of my leg. I have tingling, shooting pains, twiches - oh, it's lovely. The surgeon thought it may have been caused by pressure on the nerve caused by bleeding, but he did an mri and no more.

I stayed in hospital for about a week, then transferred to a rehab hospital to learn how to walk again. I checked myself out on July 7 and went to our house in Mexico for a little r&r. Hobbled is more like it, as I now have to use a walker. It is very difficult to get around, and I have a big leg brace to help with my useless foot. And now, the doctor's tune has changed - he's nice to me (the past is water under the bridge, he said, hoping to avoid a malpractice claim).

In my next posting, I'll tell you how the hospital screwed up my PD and a very, very bad doctor chased me around and almost succeeded in putting my on HD against my wishes and those of my nephrologist (who was in the first episode of Boston Med on ABC).

[okarol]

  Tito - this is awful - I am so sorry you didn't get better care - I hope you can recover use of your foot/leg. 

[Dianejt]

So sorry to hear about your troubles. There always seam to be some complications as we all know. It is amazing how "nice" the Doctors can become when they think they are facing a law suit. Glad you made it to Mexico, may the sunshine heal your spirt & body.

[KICKSTART]

Nothing suprises me ..we have just become numbers.

[Riki]

I think I would have thrown the consent form back in his face if he had that kind of attitude with me.  Probably would have had a few choice words for him too.  I don't react well to condescension

[galvo]

Not good, Tito, not good. Best wishes and keep in touch.

[Jean]

Good grief Tito, this is just terrible. You are supposed to go in to surgery and come out better, not worse. I sure hope you are able to heal soon and hope your wife is doing better also.   

[billybags]

Tito, I am so sorry you have been through all this, lets hope in time things will get easier.Thinking of you.

[cariad]

Tito, I am so sorry. Crazy! This is a perfect illustration of why the doctors who have such a celebrated reputation scare me. They seem to quickly forget that they are human.

Didn't you used to be a lawyer? Sue the bastard. This is unconscionable behaviour and future patients need to know. If a lawsuit seems too much bother right now then at least report him. Please....

I really hope your condition will improve. Good luck.

[RightSide]

That is so sad.

I've had botched surgeries myself, and I know how horrible that can be.

If and when you're physically able, you should get a second opinion from some other orthopedic surgeons who might be able to do something.

Both the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN, and the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, have highly rated orthopedic departments.  Could you get a second opinion from one of them?

[tito]

Thanks everyone for your kind wishes.

I'm home from Mexico - it was great to be away. The only problem was the staircase leading to our condo (there is a grouping of seven condos built into the side of a jungle-covered hill, with a big staircase connecting them). Forty-five stone steps, slippery when wet (and it's rainy season now), with a rope railing which sags when wet. Picture me hauling myself up with a useless leg/foot! Quite the challenge! They didn't teach me how to do this in rehab! But, I did get to the beach.

((If you would like to see the condo, go to my website at www.casajasmine.com))

I have been doing some research into complications from hip replacement, and this sort of thing does happen - albeit rarely. I'm not sue I would succeed with a suit. I am staying optimistic that it will heal. I believe the nerve is healing now - I'm getting pins and needles, pains, twitches, etc. Anyway, the statute of limitations is two years.

Again, thanks for the support. Things can only get better, no? My wife has her 3-month lymphoma scan today - hoping nothing has changed. Seriously, it can't get worse.

[lou]

Blooming nightmare tito. Here's hoping things look up from now for you and your wife 

[paris]

Tito, I hope being in Mexico gave you some time for healing rest.   What a summer you have had!   We will be anxious to hear how your wife's scan goes.  Praying for good results.   

[tito]

Scan result: no spread of the lymphoma!!!

Thanks for asking!

Pete

[Dianejt]

 

[natnnnat]

  Good.

[texasstyle]

Oh how I wish I could give you some insight as to hip replacement goes but I've never had it done. I know it does take a while to recover from though. I feel badly about what you're going through. My opinon is, second opinons can never hurt. You have your own best interest at stake. You do what is right for you. That Dr. doesn't sound very nice either. That condo is cool looking. Al estive and everything. I can see why you enjoy it. Hope you start to feel better REAL soon!