"I can't fault any of the treatment I have received"

I have been having cortisone injections in both thumbs for a number of year's administered at Louth hospital through the LCATS service. That was a really good service and helped for several years. The last time I went the Doctor said he didn't want to give me any more injections as a side effect of them had meant that the fat over the area had decreased meaning the bone was very prominent and the skin thin and often I caught it and it ripped the skin.

He  said I could be referred to a surgeon as there was a couple of alternative options I could have done. Several weeks later I was sent an appointment to have an up to date x-ray at Louth that was supposed to have the results in 2 weeks. This somehow didn't happen and after about 6 weeks I got in touch with LCATS, the doctor chased it up and found them. 

I was then sent an appointment to see Mr Joachim at Boston hospital. We discussed the options and he said he would see me in 6 months for a follow up appointment when I'd had time to think about it. If I wanted to see him before I could ring his secretary and make an earlier appointment. I really was undecided what to do and just left things after 8 months. I hadn't received a follow up appointment and my hand had gotten more painful so I decided to ring the secretary. When I spoke to her I could have actually had an appointment that very week but because of work ties I couldn't so one was made for the following week. That was cancelled the day before the appointment but rescheduled for the following week.

 Mr Joachim had a trainee in with him and as we discussed my treatment he was explaining things to her, which I was impressed with the way he explained it, to myself and the student. I said I had decided to go ahead with the operation a trapeziectomy and was told all the benefits and complications that could happen. I was then sent for another more up to date x-ray as it had been just about a year since the one I had at Louth. I was told the operation would be in around 2-3 month's. I admit I was really shocked as I was expecting more like a 2 year wait.

The appointment came for mid January 2023 and a pre op assessment at the end of December 2022, so it had only been around 2 months. Unfortunately I caught covid for the first time in December and had to cancel the pre op and was told my operation couldn't go ahead until 7 weeks after covid because of an increased risk of blood clots.

Exactly 7 week's from the first date I had my rescheduled appointment at the beginning of March. I went for my pre-op assessment a couple of weeks before at Lincoln which was very well organised and took only about half an hour.

I was quite concerned in case the appointment was cancelled again just because of my job and trying to reschedule dozens of appointments allowing the time off I needed after the procedure. I need not have worried as everything went to plan. 

I was admitted into Boston Pilgrim hospital day care center 7:30 am at the beginning of March. I was shown into my bay and to my bed and sat and waited. Sometime later a nurse came to admit me and go through all the paperwork there was rather a lot, and I was told Mr Joachim and the anesthetist would be coming to see me and then I could put my gown on. 

I wasn't waiting long before they had been to see me and more paperwork filled in. Very quickly after that two ladies came along to walk me to theatre.  I was lucky I was first on the theatre list. I arrived in the room where I was to be given anaesthetic and introduced to the staff in there, all really friendly. They went to do a morning huddle and I was left with one of the ladies that's walked me down. I was shivering and she kindly found a sheet and blanket for me. The team soon came back and the next thing I remember is waking up in recovery.

Again the staff in there were so kind and were chatting gave me a drink of water and made me feel comfortable until I was taken back up to my bay. 

On the bay I was soon given a jug of water a cup of tea a sandwich and another cup of tea. My obs were taken regularly I was helped to the bathroom and a third cup of tea. I was chatting to the other patients in the bay and by late afternoon a nurse came to fill in my paperwork to discharge me. I was told I would be sent an appointment to see Mr Joachim in 2 weeks and to leave my dressing on till then, and given a few leaflets. 

Although my story isn't quite complete as I have to see Mr Joachim in a couple of weeks, but from my last appointment with Joshua at LCATS to getting my operation it has been about 16 months. I can't fault any treatment I have received, any of the staff I have had dealings with. 

I'm hoping my hand heals well and I can soon return to my job with a lot less pain than I have had over the last many years. I may well then consider having my other hand done as it apparently needs surgery too.