Living Life In A Wheelchair

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Appointment With My Family Doctor
[ Tuesday February 5th 2019 at 10:25 am ]

I've had an appointment with my family doctor. I feel encouraged. Overall this was a helpful appointment.

  • I received the x-ray requisition form for my hip joints. My surgeon is asking for this to assess the health of my hip joint implants and if there is anything obvious causing my hip pain.
  • When I was cleaning Sunday evening I found a slide of myself at age 5. I was hospitalized at the time following the first surgery for Legg Perthes disease. The hospital took this as part of their studies into the effectiveness of Legg Perthes disease treatment. I showed my family doctor the slide of me at age 5. He loved the little hospital gown Grandma Piggott sewed for my Curious George.
  • My blood pressure was up a bit. In itself this isn't an issue. Home readings are more accurate. Certainly that I needed more sleep could be the simple explanation. I did have healthy readings before I left home. I need to randomly monitor my blood pressure over the next 2 months. If I have unsatisfactory readings then I need to book another appointment promptly. Otherwise we will just monitor that my heart isn't under undo stress. The number that is of concern isn't related to emotional distress, but overall physiology.
  • My family doctor is supportive of my ideas for pain control. We had a lengthy discussion about this. He is trying to be helpful. I appreciate this. I showed him where the pain is from with the setback on January 18th 2019. Brainstorming and talking about these things are important for my quality of life.
  • I gave my family doctor a copy of the letter I sent to my surgeon in December 2018. This letter detailed the unsuccessful attempts to revive my knee joints. I've asked to be assessed for knee replacement surgery, even though this isn't something I want to immediately pursue.
  • I told my family doctor more of my plans for self employment. I explained how I plan to use the laser engraver. He is very pleased I was able to figure this out as an option and acquire the equipment.
  • I don't think I'd be putting words in my family doctor's mouth if I said he doesn't know how I keep going and have the will to keep going. I am trying to make the best out of my life. I genuinely appreciate the people that have helped me throughout my life and believed in me when I needed help.

It is easy for doctors when it is routine and predictable. I am not that patient. I am the type that they work hard for to assist.