The New Year’s Gift

I’ve been quite busy for the last month or so trying to organize elements of our planned trip to the UK. There seemed to be so many things to decide upon; the cost, the method of travel, suitable timing to that we can see everyone who is pretty much scattered at the moment, and also the holiday side of it which is to visit Scotland.

While turning all this over in my mind, I began to experience difficulties with my left leg giving me some discomfort. As the days went by there was more discomfort and discomfort then turned to pain. That was it. Obviously whatever it was it was not going to get better by itself so I had better get to see the doctor.

After the trip to the doctor’s office subsequent x-rays and a return to the office to get the results, I was told a hip replacement is necessary. I am sure I mouthed some not very pleasant language under my breath while all my expectations of seeing the family again fell off the cliff and travel plans are going to wait for at least another year. In fact, I thought to myself, it could well be two years.

Clutching a slip of paper written in chicken scrawl, I went to the referral office and presented the doctor’s request. Finally, after they contacted the surgeon I had named, the earliest appointment is August 8th – and this is just to see the specialist! After requesting a space on the cancellation list (fat chance), I left the office in a complete daze and went back to the car. Last year it was cataracts, this year it is a hip replacement (hopefully), but what about next year? Thank goodness my husband was driving home.

To day, two weeks later, I was back at the doctor’s office to run some ideas by him which would enable me to get to see someone before August, otherwise, I feel I’m going to be in a wheel chair before then. Unfortunately my hands are tied, because he is reluctant for me to go elsewhere to see someone he doesn’t know. Fair enough – although I had not intended doing that. Finally, we came up with a plan – and I will keep you posted, although not in full, gory detail.

I should not be complaining at all, except for the pain because so many people I know have had far worse to put up with, but at least they were able to see their specialist much sooner. Ah well, that’s life, I suppose.