The Wind Taken out of My Sails!

I had waited six weeks to revisit the Orthopaedic Specialist at the hospital. It is not unreasonable to think and believe in a competent delivery of service, or is it? We put our trust and confidence in our health providers, after all, without trust in and assurance that we are going to be treated like, we are the only one! (we would  like to believe), its hard to stay positive!

Was it the sitting wall to wall patients waiting "patiently" in the waiting area, with their fingers wrapped around a bleeper gadget, (eager for it to buzz, alerting them the doctor was now ready to see them, after an hour delay). Or was it the fact that my audience with my doctor lasted no more than a few minutes, only to make obvious that I had, in truth, gone there for nothing. Or was it, his ability, to take the wind out of my sails, and question my confidence in my significance. After all, I don't think I am being conceited, but, my health is important to me, and I would at least; expect him to let me believe in that.

Consequently, it leads me back to my question, was the full waiting area of patients, just too many for this single person to actually perform his duty to ALL of us, at least fairly. This question must echo around every waiting area of every hospital, globally.

My last appointment ended back in September, with me being referred for Durolane injections, a single injection treatment to relieve the pain of knee or hip Osteoarthritis. It is based on a natural, safe and proven technology called NASHA (stabilized hyaluronic acid). Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring molecule that provides the lubrication and cushioning in a normal joint. This injection, if it works for me, could buy me time, reduce pain and in turn allow me more mobility in my knee. Buying me time before a total knee replacement is apparently the way to go. This was six weeks ago, so when I asked the doctor if I had been approved for this injection, (WSIB - Workers Safety Insurance Board approval is required), to my astonishment he replied, he wasn't sure if he had sent the referral or not and would have to check. What a blow!! Handing me a prescription for this expensive injection, he told me to call WSIB, hopefully this will speed up the process he said.

Of what? I ask myself, the system or incompetence? It's now down to the patient to do the leg work – well, I guess I do have three!!!