Surgery Preparation

For those of you who have experienced surgery, I suppose you are aware of the preparation required.  This is my FIRST surgery.  I've never been under anesthesia.  I got a call yesterday from a hospital nurse.  This is the call I was expecting on Monday between 8a-5pm.  Although my surgery on Tuesday will be outpatient, I will receive anesthesia.  John had outpatient surgery on his deviated septum a few years back.  I remember he went through a similar process.  


The nurse went down a list of things I need to do to prep.  She provided a link online where I could print the list if I wanted to, I did.  I have bought the antiseptic soap recommended, Hibiclens, yesterday at CVS.  I'm to wash my knee area specifically with it.  I should not use it on my head, face or genitals according to the nurse.  Some of the things she told me was common sense - no jewelry, I thought everyone knew that.  They were surprised I didn't take any medications.


Quick story - I grew up watching my parents take all sorts of medications.  Maybe because we were military, it was easy to get medication for just about anything.  Both my parents were on blood pressure medication since I could remember.  My parents were in their early 30s when I was born, scary.  They would supply the neighbors who asked when their supply ran out.  The neighbors would reimburse my parents for the loan of blood pressure medication when their prescription was refilled - like adult candy, more scary.    It was then I made the decision that I was going to try to stay off medication as long as possible.


A few years ago, when my weight gain became difficult to lose, I decided it was time to quit smoking and get healthy.  I was told then I had high blood pressure, the doctor reached in her cabinet and handed me a bottle of pills.  She said take one of these and sit in the waiting room for a little while.  I'll see you again in a little while.  Not knowing what was going on, which she shared with me later, I did as I was instructed.  About thirty minutes later she took my blood pressure again, it had dropped.  She was ready to put me on this medication for the rest of my life - ah, nope.  She said my blood pressure was 180/100, dangerous for a stroke.  I told her it was because of my weight, it is hereditary.  I will deal with it through exercise and weight loss.  My journey began and continues.  My blood pressure has dropped significantly since then, it was 130/79 during the pre-op tests last Saturday.  Anyway, back to my surgery preparation.


I have been taking vitamins for 35 years.  I take nine vitamins daily.  I was surprised to be asked to stop taking vitamins before surgery.  I had to know why.  Apparently, they don't want anything to interact with the anesthesia.  The nurse asked about any reactions I've had to anesthesia.  If I never had surgery, wouldn't it make sense that I've never had anesthesia?  Although, I may have it once (I think it was anesthesia).  I had an impacted molar extracted when I was in my late 20s.  The nurse asked if I still had my tonsils and appendix.  Again, doesn't that required surgery?  Yep, still got mine.  I have my ovaries too I told her, she didn't laugh.  I was trying to think ahead of organs that she might ask about that are "removable".  When she didn't laugh, I continued to answer her questions without any further comments.  It's my surgery, I'm scared to death, humor helps, geez.


I had my last pedicure for the winter in early October (before this happened).  The nurse said that either I or they will remove the polish on my toes.  Okay, this one got me, I had to know why.  Get this, they will draw blood under my toenails....really?  She said it is to check the blood flow....OMG, really?  I'm going to let them remove the polish on my toes.  I'm prepping enough.


I headed for my bottles of vitamins out of habit this morning, then I remembered.  I cannot have my daily Zegerid either.  I do this daily without even thinking, taking my vitamins every morning.  I can't eat anything after MIDNIGHT on Monday night.  What surprises me is that I CAN'T DRINK anything, INCLUDING WATER, until after surgery.  I drink about 10 glasses of water a day, THIS IS A HUGE SACRIFICE.  John says it is a precaution of possible interaction with the anesthesia.  My stomach needs to be EMPTY in case I might vomit, just great.  


I've started my preparation.  I hope the hospital and doctor are as prepared when I get there Tuesday morning.

The Day After

A belated Thanksgiving to all.  John and I continue to observe (not necessarily "celebrate") Thanksgiving with his family (mother, brother and sister-in-law).  My mother passed away in 1999 at 75 years old.  I am grateful for some wonderful Thanksgiving memories and Black Fridays spent with Mom.  Mom always cooked Thanksgiving dinner, whether it was just her and us or my brother, his family and my sister.  My sister passed away in 2002 of Cancer at 36 years old.  I no longer celebrate Thanksgiving, we observe it.


Liz (MIL) cooked Thanksgiving dinner until two years ago.  She is about to turn 80 and just doesn't have the energy to do it anymore, and I don't blame her.  Our house is very small, neither of John nor I have any interest in hosting Thanksgiving dinner.  We'd prefer to just stay home and be by ourselves (yes selfish but enjoyable).  It was all we could do to pull off the two bar-b-ques at our house as hosts this past summer.  It was too hot to sit outside for one of the two events in May.  We were crammed into our tiny kitchen.  Mark is John's brother, his wife is Joan.  They live a townhouse, they also have a very small kitchen.  They hosted Thanksgiving one year and it was their last, it was a disaster.


Last two years six of us, including Linda, Joan's sister, who has MS confined to a wheelchair and lives in an assisted living facility went to a dinner theater, enjoyed a play, and ate Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings buffet style with about 100 other people.  John communicated he was not interested in doing it again this year.  John been putting in long days at work.  He's tired (and cranky), he wants four days to do what he pleases.  His mother wasn't happy about his request.  The decision was made (not by us) to go to a seafood restaurant for Thanksgiving.  Linda (Joan's sister) had been released from the hospital last week, she would not be joining us.  Mark and Joan will visit Linda after our Thanksgiving seafood restaurant dinner.  Our reservation was 1:30pm at McCormick & Schmick's.  Their Thanksgiving menu is shown on the link.  Notice the fish above their sign below.

We were seated at the table closest to the kitchen directly under the air conditioning vent - perfect to start the festivities.  The room appeared to be a conference room off the main dining room, which had a projector and a rolled up screen in front of a fireplace.  Liz immediately notified the hostess of the air conditioning vent directly over and it was cold.  We were each handed a paper menu.  We sat and waiting, it got colder.  I switched seats with Liz, whose chair backed to the kitchen.  I was sitting by the non-lit fireplace, the outdoor temperature was about 55 degrees.  It was colder inside than outside.

I tried to be discrete with my picture taking.  There wasn't anyone in the restaurant taking pictures.  I didn't want to be questioned "what are you doing?"  John's family is not aware of my blogging, we all have our secrets.


The waiter arrived and introduced himself.  He was informed of the air conditioning vent directly over our table and the chill.  As time passed Liz became more irritated by the cold air conditioning.  I understand that squeezing about 100 people into a small conference room for extra seating required additional air circulation.  What they should not have done was what they did - place a table directly under the vent for the sake of one more paying table for dinner.  The waiter said he would inform the manager to get the air conditioning problem taken care of.  He took drink and food orders.  The men ordered steak, the ladies ordered their traditional Thanksgiving special (in case you missed the earlier link :)

Did I mention we were seated at 1:20 pm (earlier than our reservation) and our order was taken quickly after being seated, probably about 1:25.  We talked and we waited.  The waiter brought bread to the table - twice.  We waited more.  Finally at 2:20, the food arrived.  We were so starved, I didn't remember to take a picture of it.  I'm sure it would have only drawn attention anyway.  It was just as described, there were about 4 slices of pink Turkey (I mentioned mine was pink to the other two who ordered the same), no one acknowledged me.  The two men had their steaks reversed and realized it upon  cutting into them and switched plates.  Apple-butternut squash was next to the turkey between the dressing with cranberry sauce dribbled over it and the turkey as well.  There were two inch long green beans and mashed potatoes soaked in gravy.  I ate most of my turkey and about half of the mashed potatoes and all of the green beans.  The rest I gave to Liz's leftover box she requested at the end of dinner.  She received a contribution from Joan's plate as well.  The men ate their dinner, not missing a bite, both plates cleaned.  Notice the leftovers boxed up.

Liz and I ordered apple pie and Joan ordered pumpkin pie for dessert when our orders were taken earlier.  All three of us requested our pies boxed to go.  It was too cold to sit there any longer.  Just before the check was dropped, the manager visited our table to ask about the meal.  We informed him that it was too cold to enjoy because of the air conditioning.  He stated that he just received our complaint and turned off the air conditioning.  Well, they were busy, packed in fact.  John picked up the check as a birthday gift to his mother and brother, who share the same birthday, December 1st.  About 3:45, the ladies headed to the restroom before leaving, the men went to get the cars.  All agreed, we would not return next year.  I hoped to take "family pictures" once outside, everyone wanted to leave, especially Liz and John for different reasons.


As far as I know, no one has caught cold (yet).  Hope your Thanksgiving was (better than mine) full of the blessings of the day and shared with family and/or friends.

Checked Off & Done

I woke up later than planned this morning, 7:45, I'd hoped to be up by 7.  I did not set the alarm as John usually is up early.  I knew I couldn't have anything but water this morning because of the fasting for the pre-op tests.  If you are reading about this for the first time, please read my previous two posts.


I grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and headed out into the chilly 34 degree morning to start the car and wait for it to warm up.  I had forgot to Mapquest (no, I don't have a GPS) the location of the walk in clinic although I had a general idea where it was.  Luckily, I didn't get lost, it was were I thought it was.  The opened at 7am, as you can see, the earlier the better.  There is no one in their waiting room.

I explained to today's receptionist that I'd spoken on the phone yesterday with Jessica.  Today's receptionist verified the costs that I had mentioned Jessica provided me (whew).  I completed the required paperwork and settled the bill. I found it odd they would not take a check, they wanted a credit card.  I was escorted to an exam room by a young girl who didn't appear to be older than 20 with two feathers in her pulled back hair (but no visible tattoos or piercings).  She did not provide her name, I didn't ask (it was probably Jessica :)  She informed me she would be conducting all the tests, "I get to do the doctor's work for him" she said proudly.  "Good for you" I responded.  I didn't let on that I was told there was a $95 doctor fee.  Since I'd paid the bill already, it became a moot point.  Again, I'm picking my battles.

I was weighed and she took my blood pressure.  Good news - both dropped since last taken on November 9th (I'm giving myself a woohoo!).  Next, the dreaded blood test, oh how I hate needles.   It was quick and swift, she got her vile of blood in less than two minutes (whew again).  She opened a cabinet  and handed me one of those dreaded paper cover ups that symbolized a vest.  "Take off your shirt and bra, put this on leaving the opening in the front" she directed me and left the room.  She mentioned earlier they are having their offices painted.  While she was out of the room, I quickly snapped a few shots, sorry they're a little blurry.  Love these painter's directions.

The wider shot of the above picture is shown below.  It seems this is the only  wall to be painted Cayman Blue.  I'm surprised the directions are in English only...just sayin.

By this time, it had been over 12 hours since I've eaten, I definitely need coffee!!!  I am not a Starbucks fan.  The McDonald's near my house has been torn down and is being rebuilt (it was 30 years old).  I remembered a McDonald's close to the walk-in clinic.  I hope there wasn't much of a line.  Only two cars ahead of me when I got there.  I ordered a sausage biscuit for John and myself and a coffee for me (John is not a coffee drinker).  I deserved a reward for the dropped weight and blood pressure!  

Someone has some great talent to decorate their front windows.

John was happy to see me home with breakfast in hand.  He was just putting on his jacket to start leaf blowing.  He thanked me for the "fuel" to get him going on this tremendous task.  I didn't get a picture of the "before" of our front yard, here is the "after" taken from the bottom of our driveway.

I found John on the side of the house working his way toward the back.

Here is what the back yard looked like "before" John got the leaves done.

Apparently, the best method that works for John is to blow the leaves in piles and then use the bagger tool (it vacuums the leaves) to get them into the trash can for bagging.

John is in the final stretch, wrapping it up, almost done!  He's been at it almost four hours.  We have just over 1/4 acre of land.

The yard looks so good when all the leaves are gone.  Like a clean kitchen floor.  I took the first picture from the deck and the second picture from  near the shed toward the house.

Our trees are just about bare.  In our neighborhood, the problem is the wind.  We're the last house before the woods.  The leaves from our neighbors yards on our side of the street blow their leaves into our yard.  If the neighbors don't clean their yard, ours doesn't stay clean long.  Thankfully, our neighbors do clean their yard, just not the same time we do ours.  Poor John, he was so sore this evening, he had the heating pad in use.  Yes Cheryl, you're right, the bum knee kept me from helping with the leaf cleanup this year.  I honestly do feel guilty about it.


We are checked off and done at our house.  My tests are done, I'm ready for surgery on November 29th.  The leaves are done (for now) in the yard.  John thinks he'll have one more go at them, probably next weekend, which should be it for the season.  Hope your weekend is relaxing and enjoyable.

Tests Update

In order to understand this post, if you haven't already, you should probably read my previous post to have a better understanding.


When I did not hear from Jessica, the doctor's assistant, by early afternoon today, I decided to call her again.  Guess what, she picked right up, no voice mail!  I stated that I had left a message for a call back last night.  Surprise, Jessica apologized and said she never got the message (on a recorded voice mail?).  I let it go, didn't say a word.   You know what, when my life is in their hands such as it is right now, I'm going to pick my battles.  This one wasn't worth the effort.


I informed Jessica of the cost at the walk-in-clinic close to my home ($175).  Her shock and outrage was actually surprising.  Jessica claimed she had no idea the costs had "gone that high".  I told her they recommended I go the hospital to have the tests done.  Jessica informed me not to go to the hospital for these tests.  Their costs start at $400 for these tests.  She recommended I contact another walk in clinic in my area, tell them I do not have insurance.  I'm to communicate the charges will be self-pay and to ask for a self-pay discount.  I thanked Jessica for her suggestion and looked up another clinic a few miles away and gave them a call.


Must be a popular name, I got "Jessica" at today's (new) walk in clinic on the phone.  I explained my situation, following my given instructions.  The Jessica I spoke with at the walk in clinic, gave me a lower cost of $20.  I'm finding it amazing how these costs break down!  The CBC and BMP are $15 each ($30 total), the EKG is $30 and the doctor's visit is $95 (for a $155 total instead of $175)!!!  I explained that I would not need to see the doctor, I just need to complete these pre-op tests for my unexpected surgery scheduled for the 29th of November.  I was informed the doctor was to perform the EKG, therefore, the $95 charge stays.  I gave it a try!  Again, I'm picking my battles.


Jessica asked if I had been fasting today for the blood test.  I explained I was not informed to fast (note to self to talk to Jessica the doctor's assistant about the uninformed fasting needed).  However, at this time, I had two cups of coffee and a plain whole wheat muffin.  It was about 1:15pm, I had not had lunch yet.  "You will need to fast to be sure the blood test is accurate" she informs me.  Taking the tests today is obviously out since I was unaware of the fasting.  Jessica informs me their hours tomorrow are 7am to 9pm, I can come in anytime during those hours.  I am not to eat or drink anything, except water, after 10pm this evening until I have the tests done tomorrow.  I'll be getting up early tomorrow to get these tests done so I can get some food in my starving stomach afterwards.

Getting Older By The Minute

This waiting on the medical community to get treated for my knee injury is the pits.  For anyone in the medical field reading this, you're probably thinking the same, except from the other side of the fence - you're overwhelmed with patients needing help.  I'm twelve days out until my knee surgery.  When I last visited the doctor on November 9th to read my MRI, I was told arthroscopic surgery was needed on my knee.  At that time I was also given a piece of paper by the surgeon's assistant, Jessica, who informed me some "pre-op tests" were needed.  She asked me some family medical history questions, made a few check marks on the paper, told me to take the paper to my Primary Care Physician (PCP).  Who has a PCP these days? I don't.  I explained that I don't go  to the doctor unless there is something wrong.  This SHOULD translate to...I'm not a hypochondriac, I don't know all there is to know about medicine or procedures.  I don't spend my life in hospitals or doctors offices.  Unfortunately, those in the medical community seem to think the whole world revolves around medicine.  I explained I have a walk in clinic I go to for treatment when needed.  Jessica stated that I should not go the the hospital, go to the walk in clinic for the tests, I should not be charged.


Jessica said these were standard pre-operative tests.  I looked at the paper check marked CBC, BMP & EKG.  I asked how much these tests would cost.  I thought I heard Jessica say again "they shouldn't charge you", until today.

Today I went to the local walk in clinic to have the tests done.  I told the nurse it was my understanding I would not be charged for these tests.  Remember, my insurance is high-deductible ($3,500).  Until my medical expenses reach that amount, all expenses are paid by me.  Jessica also is aware of my insurance coverage.  "Don't you have insurance?" I was asked by the nurse today at the clinic.  Seems to be the standard question these days.  I explained my high deductible.  The nurse looked at the paper with the check marked tests required by the doctor and stated it would cost $175.00 to have these done.  She recommended I go to the hospital to have the tests done.  I said that I was probably misinformed.  I was going to call the doctor's office.  I said I might be back, depending on the conversation I have with them about my insurance coverage and the cost.  I called Jessica, of course I got her voice mail.  I left a message about today's adventure to the walk in clinic and the cost involved.  I (politely) asked for a return call leaving my name and number.  Here were are almost 10pm on Thursday evening....no return call from Jessica, doubt I'll hear from her tonight.  I'm sure she'll get a good night's sleep though, lucky her.


I thought about delaying this post until the test issue was clarified.  Then again, maybe you'd rather follow me as I go through this journey instead?  Jessica needs to know I got older by the minute today worrying about this surgery and the costs.  I need better details and specifics.  Yes, I need "SURGERY FOR DUMMIES" that's it!

Surgery Confirmed

Armed with my MRI CD in hand off I went today to the Orthopedic Surgeon to have him take a look.  I ended up using the valet parking again.  Here's what the full patient parking lot looked like this afternoon.  The doctor's office is in  the middle red brick building.  The hospital is the far left building (you can just see a portion of it).

The doctor confirmed I have a moderate meniscus tear.  What he was unable to confirm by the MRI is whether or not he could repair it or have to remove the damaged portion.  He said he wouldn't know until he got into the knee and took a look.  The tear is in an area of low blood supply of the meniscus.


The doctor informed me if he was able to repair the tear, recovery would be about a week or so.  If he has to remove the damaged portion of the meniscus, recovery will be up to six weeks.  Yep, my vote is for repair, hope it counts.


Another possibility with this surgery is if the damaged meniscus has to be removed, the probability of developing arthritis later on in life goes up.  If the tear is repaired and heals, there is no probability of developing arthritis, at least not from this surgery.  The doctor explained it will be arthroscopic surgery where he will go in through three holes he will place in my right knee.  This surgery is done as an outpatient, it does not require hospitalization.  Surgery is scheduled for the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, the 29th at 9am.  Doctor said surgery will cost about $10,000, I'll definitely hit my $3500 deductible for this year.  This turned out to be an expensive slip in the shower, and I didn't even fall!


In the meantime, the doctor said know my limitations.  I can walk, but if the knee starts to hurt, get off the leg and rest it, take Advil (ibuprofen) for pain relief.  No fast movements and no pivoting (like I pivot, ha!) and to be careful.  The knee hurt Monday and today just from the outings.  Tomorrow, I'm going to attempt grocery shopping...life goes on.

One Legged Blogger

Why did I take a 9am appointment with the Orthopedic Surgeon, that's too early!  I set my alarm for 6:30, remember since I've been unemployed, I have not been getting up early, normal time about 7:30-8am.  I had the coffeemaker set on the timer, something else I haven't done since I was working.  I had to reset it too because of the time change.  I made sure my alarm clock was all set the night before as well, since it hasn't been used in some time either.  I made sure I showered Sunday evening, so I didn't mess with blow drying my hair. Got a couple of cups of coffee in me, some makeup on, got dressed, and off I went.  Here's the professional building where the Orthopedic Surgeon is.

There was so much traffic this morning around the buildings, I was surprised.  Everyone must book early appointments.  I ended up using the valet which was  about 200 feet from this building, as the parking lot was too far to have to hop it to the building.  When I asked the valet service what the cost was, the Hispanic gentleman said "no money".  I hope that meant no charge.  Here's the door I entered, my luck I used the revolving door, the handicapped door (on the left) wasn't working (or unlocked?).  At 8:30 I hopped on in and their office was just inside the door, thankfully.

I completed the obligatory paperwork required of a new patient.  I also asked for a copy.  The girl who took my paperwork said "of this?" holding my completed paperwork.  "I like to keep a copy of everything I fill out at the doctor's office" I said.  You never know when something in question comes up, nice to have the paperwork handy.  About 9:10, my name was called.  I was introduced to "Jamie" my tech, who I followed down the long hallway to the exam room.  The standard long patient table was in the room along with a credenza with a computer on it.  Jamie asked about my knee and looked at it (I had my pant leg pulled up).  I explained to Jamie that my insurance has a high deductible, so I need to be careful of the costs.  She said she has the same type of insurance.  We both agreed this country needs healthcare reform desperately.  She said the doctor would be with the shortly and left.  Okay, I'm waiting and thinking, Halloween is over...

The doctor came in and we made our introductions.  He looked at my knee, had me lay down, bent it back and forth, told me to sit up and said the same as last week's doctor "there's some swelling and fluid there" (duh).  He told me he was going to order some x-rays.  I'm thinking (but didn't say) this is muscular not bone, why the x-rays.  The doctor left and "Patrick" showed up to escort me to the x-ray room.  First pose, standing with the film behind my calf area.  Second pose flat on my back, face up, knees flat, the overhead machine pulled down over my knees.  Third and final pose, lying on my right side, machine pulled to my inside knee.  Patrick escorted me back to the exam room "the doctor will be with you shortly".  Another ten minutes the doctor comes back, looks at the x-rays on the computer "did you fall when you slipped?"  I told him I did not, I caught myself.  He said my kneecap looked twisted.  I suppose he had to justify the x-ray.  He said he needed to order an MRI.  As I mentioned to Jamie and again to the doctor, my deductible is $3500, which means I pay the first $3500 of medical costs before the insurance kicks in for coverage.  He gives me a "permission slip" I call it, which I'm to give to the MRI folks telling them what needs to be photographed with their equipment (my right knee).  Jamie (the tech) said the place I need to go to is the least expensive in the area, about five miles away, the cost is about $400 for the MRI.  I confirmed with the doctor it was the same place Jamie mentioned, thanked the doctor and left.


I stopped by the reception area before I left to make my followup appointment.  "The doctor fills up fast, the soonest I can get you back in is the 23rd" I'm informed.  She continues to tell me that once I have my MRI done, to call back, they will squeeze me in sooner, at least the 23rd gets me on the calendar.  Then the appointment scheduler says "if you want, the imaging center is just down the hallway."  I'm thinking, I wonder why Jamie didn't mention that?  I hop down the hallway to NOVA Imaging.  I showed my slip to the receptionist who said "David, the appointment scheduler, will be with you shortly".  I explained to David about my high insurance deductible.  He offered me a discount from $2,900 to $1,400!!!!  I told him I thought I was in the wrong place.  I needed to go back to the Orthopedic office and double check.  "They send all their patients here, you're in the right place" he says.  He went ahead and scheduled an appointment for me for 7pm tomorrow.  I told him I would call him once I spoke with the Orthopedic office.  David is part of the healthcare problem in this country.


Back to the Orthopedic office and I explained to the "other" receptionist briefly my conversation with Jamie and how I was directed by their appointment scheduler to go down the hallway to schedule my appointment.  When the costs didn't match up, I knew something was wrong.  The "other" receptionist said "we send people who are covered by their insurance to the place down the hallway.  You should go to the place about five miles away" she confirmed.  I picked up my car from the valet, it was free, tipping is greatly appreciated.


I headed home to make my calls for 1) appointment to the MRI place five miles away and 2) cancel my appointment for 7pm tomorrow with David the ripoff artist.  Lucky me, I got an appointment for the right place at 2pm today.  David must have went to lunch (it was about 11:30), I got his voice mail so I left a message cancelling my appointment for 7pm tomorrow.  I made a ham sandwich, brushed my hair, touched up my makeup and headed out about 1:15 to the right MRI place.  I knew they would have forms for me to complete, might as well get there early.

I found a parking place close to the building, thankfully.  They even had a handicap ramp I could walk on instead of stairs - life is good!  I approached the receptionist explaining I was early, expecting to complete paperwork.  She obliged my request.  I returned the paperwork, she asked for payment, I gave her a check for $428 and asked for a copy of my paperwork.  About fifteen minutes later, after the people who arrived after me had been taken from the waiting room, my name was finally called by Maria, who said she would be my "tech".  She takes me into the room where this huge bubble shaped container with a pullout bed sits.  The machine goes to the ceiling.  Since she didn't leave the room, I couldn't take a picture.  She has me lay down on the bed and tells me not to move my right leg for about twenty minutes.  Must be the power of suggestion...don't we always do what we're told not to.  I struggled not to move my right leg, the pain was shooting from my knee in both directions.  After some noise and what felt like the machine moving, Maria approached me "you did very well, you can get up now".  One problem, I couldn't get up!!  I told Maria I thought my leg fell asleep, I was concentrating on not moving it!  I finally got off that thing!  I informed Maria I am to bring a CD back to the doctor.  She produced it just a few minutes later and I left 'Insight Imaging'.

It was about 2:45 when I got home.  I called the Orthopedic doctor's office to inform them I got the MRI done today!  This time I got the doctor's assistant, "Jessica".  Correction - I got Jessica's voice mail after going through a few phone menus.  I left a message explaining the situation and requested a callback.  Jessica called back in about half an hour to schedule me for Wednesday, November 9th and to bring the MRI CD with me.


Now I wait to see the Orthopedic Surgeon (again), and he reads the MRI.  This is taking longer than a little slip in the shower should to get taken care of.

Doctor! Doctor!!

Back again to the doctor today in pain.  I called yesterday (Monday) morning and left a message for the doctor to call me back.  Around 7pm it became apparent I wasn't going to hear from the doctor, I called back again for a status or update on my message.  I was informed the doctor had not responded.  The lady I spoke with recommended I schedule an appointment and come into the office today (Tuesday).  My appointment was 11am.  This doctor has two offices.  He serves the office I visit (shown below) every Tuesday.  Notice the parking directly in front of the building.

The nurse weighed me and and also took my blood pressure.  I explained that I had just had that done at last Tuesday's visit.  She said they have to do it each visit (ugh).  I suppose this ritual is to make the patient feel they are getting their money's worth - not.  As usual, I was placed in an empty room and told the doctor would be with me shortly.  All their rooms look the same, don't you think?  

The doctor came in shortly "I got your message" he said.  I didn't say anything.    "It was a long day, I didn't get a chance to call you back, I'm sorry."  Well, I guess if I get an "I'm sorry" I suppose I can be sympathetic about him not returning my call.  "I didn't get home until 8pm" he says. Again, I say nothing.  I think he got MY message.  He took a look at my knee when I showed him how swollen it was.  He bent it, then straighten it, and felt around the kneecap.  "There's definitely fluid in there" he says.  I knew it was swollen, but fluid?  "You're going to have to see an Orthopedic Surgeon."  I explained that when I searched in my insurance provider network online, his office came up under Orthopedic.  The doctor explained their specialty is Sports Medicine, which in a provider network, could possibly grouped with Orthopedics.  He couldn't do anything further for me except provide a recommendation.  The doctor referred me to Commonwealth Orthopaedics, Dr. Lawhorn.  I was impressed with their website and Dr. Lawhorn.  I called when I returned home, my appointment is next Monday, November 7th at 9am.

I decided to drive to the Orthopedic Surgeon's office to be sure I was familiar with location, parking, etc.  Keep in mind, I am barely walking right now.  I noticed the parking lot is about 200 yards ACROSS THE STREET from the "Professional Building".  Because the Professional Building (about six stories high, full of physicians) is right next to the hospital, I spied a valet service.  I may have to use the valet service to avoid the long walk back and forth to my car next Monday.

It's status quo for the next six days, rest, ice, and Advil, try to stay off the leg as much as possible.  As I mentioned before, I have my good days and bad days.  I'm hoping for more good days ahead.