- Joined
- Apr 4, 2003
- Messages
- 1,948
I was scheduled to have a total hip replacement on my left hip yesterday morning at 8:00. I had to get medical, dental, cardiologist, and periodontal, clearances. Failed to get clearance for a gum surgery I had six weeks ago because.
The doctor I had scheduled was what I feel to be the "best" in the city and has a five to six month backlog. While on "waiting list", I am now on the back of the bus because I am not taking pain killers (personal choice) etc. so others are more "severe".
It is dissapointing because I have "aimed" for this since May. Because of my previous heart failure I have a bit higher chance for problems. My cardiologist said I have between 5 and 10 percent chance of a heart attack on the table. My Hip Surgeon said around 5 percent. That is a huge difference. It does not sound like much when you say it but its 100% difference.
Anyway, because of this, its forced me to do a lot of things I have either put off or not done well. Updated wills, Living Wills, gathering account information on all bank accounts, investments, insurance policies, logins, safe deposit box keys, business continuation plans, blah, blah, blah. I'm convinced that this was worse than the surgery is going to be. I have had advanced warning. When I had my heart failure, I did not, and still I didn't take care of these issues properly.
My heart function has decreased over the last year about 10% unfortunately although I show no outward signs. I may try to have both hips done at the same time in case my heart deteriorates further before I recover from the first and can get the second one done. Even though I am bone on bone, the insurance company seems to want to see me eating the bottle of Vicodin I have on my desk prior to appoving me. I may just need to get me prescriptions filled and not take them, but I hate being deceptive.
If anyone asks, I am 49, and yes I believe walking the earth at 270+ lbs for many years added to my deterioation. Not caused....merely hastened it.
Pekkerwood
The doctor I had scheduled was what I feel to be the "best" in the city and has a five to six month backlog. While on "waiting list", I am now on the back of the bus because I am not taking pain killers (personal choice) etc. so others are more "severe".
It is dissapointing because I have "aimed" for this since May. Because of my previous heart failure I have a bit higher chance for problems. My cardiologist said I have between 5 and 10 percent chance of a heart attack on the table. My Hip Surgeon said around 5 percent. That is a huge difference. It does not sound like much when you say it but its 100% difference.
Anyway, because of this, its forced me to do a lot of things I have either put off or not done well. Updated wills, Living Wills, gathering account information on all bank accounts, investments, insurance policies, logins, safe deposit box keys, business continuation plans, blah, blah, blah. I'm convinced that this was worse than the surgery is going to be. I have had advanced warning. When I had my heart failure, I did not, and still I didn't take care of these issues properly.
My heart function has decreased over the last year about 10% unfortunately although I show no outward signs. I may try to have both hips done at the same time in case my heart deteriorates further before I recover from the first and can get the second one done. Even though I am bone on bone, the insurance company seems to want to see me eating the bottle of Vicodin I have on my desk prior to appoving me. I may just need to get me prescriptions filled and not take them, but I hate being deceptive.
If anyone asks, I am 49, and yes I believe walking the earth at 270+ lbs for many years added to my deterioation. Not caused....merely hastened it.
Pekkerwood