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The knee surgery saga continues.
.

.
And at 62?
It’s time for replacement parts.
The husband and I (his presence was mandatory as my designated care giver) spent a mind numbing two and a half hours in a conference room at the hospital the other day, sitting through a class of pre and post op information I’ve already been given three times.
Seriously, the lecture and presentation were word for word identical to the large folder of material given to me by the orthopedist.
I’d say it was a complete waste of time, but I did learn not to pack a lizard in my bag….
So there’s that.
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And yes..
That was an actual part of the presentation.
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I sneaked a picture for the blog and earned a dirty look from the nurse.
If she holds it against me in the operating room? I’m blaming you.
🤣
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Seriously. A lizard! What the heck. I wouldn’t see that one coming. I would have burst out laughing and not been able to keep quiet asking what the hell is going on?
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The room was dead quiet during the presentation. My husband knew I was going to crack at that one and gave me “the look”.
🤣
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😂😂😂😂
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Maybe it’s helping get you ready for post-op where you will have nothing but time for many weeks. Breathe in. breathe out. My husband found the Calm app helpful. 😊 ain’t no rushing this thing…
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All it’s doing is making me me more nervous.
I’m stressed enough. They don’t need to keep hammering how awful it will be…
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Wishing you a smooth recovery and the best possible outcome.
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Thank you.
I’m trying to stay positive.
😉
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How ridiculous! But I’m guessing since it’s in the presentation, someone once brought a lizard in their post-op bag… 🙃
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I hope they did.
Otherwise it’s just silly…
🤣
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Holy cats, what a process! I wonder if this is standard or particular to your area.
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The orthopedist and hospital are run by Maine Health. Though the nurse said this class was a new requirement implemented by the insurance companies.
Yet another reason to hate them…
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What the heck!
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Mike came with me to the first meeting with the surgeon, one on one. 30 minutes and what the procedure required and then I went by myself to the PT for a lowdown on what they were going to give me after the treatment and movements not to make. I thought it was kind of funny that the PT drew me a diagram and told me to not bend below the knees hugging the floor, as if I could but then the husband said, ‘Someone must have tried it!’ Yeah.
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I don’t mind being given helpful information. But I don’t need the same information five or six times.
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What concerned me the most was the moves not to make after the operation. I certainly reviewed all my 90 degree angles regarding posterior hip surgery. I thought this could have been reviewed a lot more but they handed me a diagram.
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Everyone seemed to reassure me many times that it was very hard for a joint to pop but do not bend over and do not….sleeping made me nervous and could not sleep on my side so I did have to be reassured many times of the rarity of the joint popping out.
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That sounds awful. I’d be worried too.
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I really have a new respect for my husband’s treatments and other treatments and how they are able to explain them simply. It takes a special finesse to put someone at ease and move forward. Not everyone has it but most of the people dealing with surgery put me at ease. Not so with all the PT people but I watch YouTubes and keep my eyes wide open.
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To be honest, I’m dreading the PT. Only done it once before and didn’t have a good experience….
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Gail said the physio was fairly painless. She had 14 sessions. And they actually helped.
As for the lectures, pardon my pessimism, but I bet each doctor got paid for ordering them. A doctor cannot work for 10 seconds without being paid.
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I keep being told it’s a new insurance requirement. Honestly, the staff wasn’t thrilled about it either.
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That’s the opposite of my experience so far. Surgery is over a month away and I’ve had five appointments going over details.
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Hip surgery and wrong movements is something I still flake out about as the wrong movement can be serious. My most meaningful interaction was with the surgeon and my husband as the second back up listening to the details. The others, not as important to me but I had to jump in as mine appt. was because of a cancellation, so I had to be all in quickly.
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OMG really, are they trying to add levity to an incredibly boring lecture
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I think so.
Can’t say it worked…
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🤣glad you snapped a photo and promoted it
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I think I had to.
Bloggers law…
😉
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That “pack a bag” slide made me lol. The health care community clearly is anti-lizard. I will now roll out one of my go-to thoughts…keep in mind our minds construct so many bridges that we’ll simply never have to cross. This is a time when all the negative outcomes are “highlighted,” opposed to all the positive outcomes.
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I hope so. Because I’m beginning to get depressed about recovery ..
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The prediction here is your adrenaline will kick in after surgery, and you’ll be fired up to get up and get going towards getting better.
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Fingers crossed I don’t have too much pain to do that…
🤞
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I think hospitals are so leery of lawsuits that they have to go a bit overboard. However you shouldn’t have to sit through the presentation more than once!
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I’m glad you snapped that photo for your blog! Too funny!
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I had to.
😉
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😊
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I need to know how far this strange lizard ban goes. What if you’re watching TV and a Geico commercial comes on? Are they going to kick you out?
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I doubt digital lizards qualify.
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Something that could have been done with a brochure. Someone was trying to justify their paycheck.
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The orthopedist gave me a big folder of information and this class went over every page. One by one. Ad nauseam.
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I know you don’t want to think about her, but how would you like to give that presentation over and over and over?
At least you’re one step closer.
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I would not.
Though if I had to, I’d invest in a real lizard….
🦎
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Maybe she thought you took a picture of that slide to make absolutely sure you didn’t forget and accidentally bring a giant lizard in your bag with you.
Seriously, is this a problem they have frequently? Someone must have done it at some point for that to make the cut. Now I want to know the story behind it.
Sorry for all your trouble!!
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I know I’m being contrary, but it really makes me want to adopt an iguana and call it my therapy animal.
🦎
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Hahaha. Oooh, tempting!! 😛
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I was just gonna suggest something like that – bring an animal and state “but the presentation only showed lizards are banned.” 🤪
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What a bizarre pic to select, vs tiny dog!
Did they also read the powerpoint slides, word for word? That’s a massive peeve for me cause I CAN READ!!
I might make up a missed AI class* tomorrow. I’m hoping they’re cool with me just spending 15min reading the printed slides rather than listening to them read them for 2 hours!
*I might learn something (doubtful) but I’m only attending for the free Chromebook and socializing. The pc is redonk cheap but a free new computer is a free new computer!
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Oh, yes. Word for word.
Which matched my information packet, word for word.
It was maddening.
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And they’ve probably given you a printout of all the slides… 😕
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I’m sure it’s not the last I’ll see of them.
🥴
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The part of the iguana in hospital is very important. You don’t want doctor jumping with the scalpel in their hand as the iguana scrambles out of your hospital gown pocket. The fact that it is on the presentation says something about the patients they have dealt with earlier 😀
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Well, it could have been an emotional support lizard. We shouldn’t judge.
🤣
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🤣🤣🤣
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I wish you all the best for your surgery, RG. And do remember to leave your lizard at home. After all, they’re terrible worrywarts who wear holes in the floor with their pacing.
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Thanks.
And I will.
Reluctantly….
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But what if you need your Emotional Support Iguana? Outrageous!
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Right?
I call that undue hardship.
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