St Vincent’s Hospital Progress Report 19 December 2017

Progress to date 19 December 2017

Monday. 

Admitted as private patient under Dr Steel.  Did CT scan.  MRI scan planned.  Currently in Public hospital neurology ward 7 north Room 7

Tuesday. 

MRI still planned but delayed while doctors and radiology try to work out what to do about implanted nerve stimulator.  This took all day and MRI now scheduled for today Wednesday.  If they had asked me, I could have told them what to do and it would have taken only an hour.  But they refused to even let me speak..... But he had to admit late in afternoon they should have!

Pain team is supposed to see me but doesn’t arrive.  Endone has been doubled.  Fentanyl patch still not sticking but they keep trying (do these nurses have shares in the company?). Pain a bit better but still not good - now 8-9/10 instead of 10/10+

Dr Steel  came in late afternoon with team.  Exuberant loud cheerful energetic man.  Lovely.  Frank and to the point.   Agrees on high possibility of paraplegia so advises proceeding with a pin and plate surgery - fusion.  Thinks he can do it successfully despite brittle bones.  Will come in from back - he usually approaches from abdomen but I am glad as abdomen has Klebbsiella pneumoniae infection. Problem - he is taking holiday from 28 Dec to 18 Jan.  If team can get everything done in time will do this Friday, otherwise get pain under control  and wait till late Jan.  Disadvantage with Friday: is followed by long weekend and doctors not available.  Disadvantage in waiting: is to be in pain for another month and spine may move and cause further damage. Friday means I get it over with ... Waiting means I get Dr Steel’s attention post surgery.

Have decided to go for this Friday if it can be done -  I have nothing to lose -  not confident as offices closing down for holidays.  (Need to talk to cardiologist, rheumatologist -gone for break already! , anaesthetic team to assess me for problems during and after surgery , etc).

Spoke to house doctor about recurring infection of K pneumoniae in bladder/SPC site/vagina. Vagina now bleeding. Hope to get examination while I am here. 

Wednesday 

Blood tests in preparation for surgery taken - cross match and hold form signed.

Expect to move to Private Hospital today.  

MRI scheduled

Pain Team expected

Anaesthetic team expected

Expect further information on possibility/probability of Friday surgery.