Three weeks to go.
A month has passed since my previous post on this.
I found with most of my previous operations that the surgeon tended to book me into hospital straightaway and in more than one case, it was the next day. This time I was given seven weeks and it's just as well I'm retired, otherwise I'd be constantly taking time off work for medical appointments.
In the last month I've already seen my GP; had blood tests; seen the orthopaedic surgeon; obtained two sets of hip X-rays and one chest X-ray; and booked in to attend the "Joint Replacement Surgery Patient Education Program."
Last week I saw the dentist (who took more X-rays of course) and obtained the required dental all-clear to have hip replacement surgery; and today I saw the cardiologist and attended the private hospital to book a bed.
The cardiologist could find nothing wrong with my cardiovascular system, so he ordered a stress test, which - of course - needed yet another appointment.
The hospital booked me in, after I gave them the questionaire and a long list of previous operations. I was then interviewed by the duty nurse. She required me to have a new round of blood tests and - surprise, surprise - that means another yet another appointment. She also handed me a whole swag of patient information sheets about hip replacement surgery, cryotherapy, analgesia and physiotherapy.
All I sought was a hip replacement but I now have enough reading material for a month and it feels like I am keeping the entire Campbelltown medical health profession in business!
Oh, and when I recovered from the surgery, I have to go and get a full dental X-ray done!