Hi All! Good to see more postings here! I think of you all, often!
CAA, I hope your knee replacement is going well. I've been told I need one on my right knee, which took a lot of force in my mva, but they won't operate until I'm in my 60's. Said it's beause they only last about 10 to 15 years and they can only do two replacements in a lifetime. I'm really struggling with my knee as pain has got much worse and knee keeps twisting with excruciating pain very often. I have to rely on our public system as insurance refused to believe it was from my mva. Didn't show up until after I was able to exercise again.
So glad for you Annie & AH that you have your settlement! Even if it's not a lot it can make a bit of a difference in your life! You guys have gone through so much! Glad to hear you are using discretion with who you help!
I've been back at work 14 months now. One of the hurdles in my job is that we have to pass a Clinical Review (CR), which is held at the 6 month point. For this we have to write about the theories behind the way we work and defend our way of working. I did that fine. The most difficult thing is that we have to tape our counselling sessions on dvd. I had trouble getting people to let me record the sessions and only had one tape at CR and it wasn't my best work. After the review, they can't just dismiss you but have to help. I was able to get more recordings but my nerves came in and I wasn't showing how I really work on dvd. When I asked HR what I needed to do to be doing what they wanted, they told me I had to find out for myself! CRAZY MAKING! So, I was trying to tape while being so nervous and being in increasing pain with my knee and having my Mum die in the midst of it all. I nearly lost it and have been in survival mode since August last year. Another counsellor helped me overcome my nerves and I was finally able to get 2 really good tapes with my clients doing some amazing work! This counsellor ended up being on my final review panel, 2 weeks ago, which was the decider in me keeping my job or not.
I only realised over the Christmas break how little I've been doing at home and at work. At home the housework and yard just didn't get touched. At work, my paperwork suffered. I think I was on the edge of "losing it". My program manager has been really weird and the week prior to my review he called me into a meeting and said he wanted me to come to my review with my "vulnerability and humility". I was in tears!
On the day of my review I spent the hour beforehand with my supervisor (who has been so supportive and knew where I was coming from - I couldn't have done it without her!) which helped me stay in my personal power and I made it through! They really liked my work and commended me for all the work I had done and just for hanging on in there as so many pull out as it is so hard. Only downside was pinhead manager who tried to pull me to pieces. Helpful counsellor reflected that he thought they were really tough on me. Consensus in the office is that program manager has a big problem - probably feeling very threatened by me. This was verified yesterday when I was chairing a teleconference for our State and he did his best to take over and sabotage what I was doing. Fortunately I don't have to deal with him on a daily basis as he is in head office.
The best thing is that I have some security in my job and I can leave if I want on my terms. I do love my job, though, which is why I fought so hard to keep it! AND life is good and The light is shining through again. Starting to feel alive again!
Hopefully, I'll be checking in here a bit more, now! Keep on getting well! Love & Light!
It is tough but you made it and they are lucky to have you. You can hire a starving student to help with house and yard to give you a head start and divide up the paperwork doing a little bit of the back stuff as you keep up from here on in. Is there an intern or student volunteer that you could get to do some of this while you do something else? All the docs I know except for Dr Centeno use voice software and speak the whole thing into a phone as the patient is leaving and then spend an hour at the end of the day to edit it...
Thanks for the info Anona! I've been wanting to contact you for ages! How are you and husband?
Went to dinner tonight and spoke with a woman who is having both knees replaced next week. (Aaaaaaaaaarrrggggggghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!) Told her about stem cells and she said too late, having them done next week. Personally, I want to avoid surgery if at all possible! I'd really like to give the stem cell alternative a try.
I was a bit confused with the Regernexx (sp?)form as I don't know if a torn meniscus is the same as knee arthritis so haven't submitted it yet. I wonder if anyone is doing the stem cell procedure in Australia? I asked my surgeon about it and he said it was years off. Do you know how long after harvesting it takes for the stem cells to increase enough to be injected into the knee? I ask becaus eof the possibility of me going to the USA soon.
I've applied for a scholarship to a 10 day training in Los Angeles and they've come back asking me some questions which are pertinent to them making a decision - so I'm hoping I'll be travelling to the States again next month! The scholarship is for $5,000.00 and includes accomodation and meals. I just have to find the air fare. If I could travel to the clinic in Colorado in the same trip that would be awesome. Biggest problem would be the $7,500 for the procedure. I'm going to have to think seriously how to accomplish this!
Thanks so much for the info and opening up the possibillty! If it is meant to be I know it will happen! Love & Light!
Ozzie,
I hope you don't mind if I give you a web-site to check out. It is about
knee's and also hips. I do not remember how old you are but the age thing is out the window knee's now last a lot longer. (if your not a runner ... runner
wear them out faster) I think you will get alot out of this site.
Thanks CAA! Looks good! I'm not sure what I'd need. Drs said meniscus is badly torn and bone on bone. Said nothing about arthritis affecting the bones. Can't believe Drs here are so far behind the US in technology! Maybe because it's a public system and they don't want to spend the dollars? Both Anona's info and yours has given me cause to think my options! Will have to do something soon! Love & Light!
Jo on the web is the one that answers question is great!!!! She is in the UK and is waiting
for them to give her a date for her TKR. But I do know that bone on bone means TKR NOW!!!
NOW before there is nothing even left on the sides. The longer you wait is a open question
on the board, about it being more painful to wait to long. So get a second opion NOW don't put this off Ozzie. I wish I had just had it done 5 years ago instead of trying to wait thinking
that this way it would last longer!!! What a dummy I was.
^i^
Hello Oz, it's nice to hear from you , sounds like you have had a really tough go, with the work /job and the idiot who sabbotaged your conference.. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Your spirit continues to shine through no matter the ups and downs Oz , you keep me on my toes girlfriend. I'm proud of you , for all that you have gone through and continue to go through with pain and you continue to knock down all the hurdles in your way ... bulldoze them down is more like it ... You are a machine kiddo ... I wish you well , your job sounds very interesting , though very tough too ! You come across as a very strong woman with a joyful spirit , even though things may be tough, you still shine .
Good Going Oz , I look forward to your posts , you are my sunshine .
Thanks Red! You had me in tears! How are you? You're sounding really good. Haven't chatted for a long time!
Remember, we're all strong on this board. We've all had so much to bear and we're doing it! We've all been here to support each other through our darkest days and we're all moving on. Even though I haven't been posting much you've been in my thoughts! Love & Light!
Hi Oz,
I am going to email you but there is a guy Don Margolis who has info about what is going on worldwide for stemcells...you can likely call him on Skype and get info. I am sure things are happening in Australia and where your kids are. too as far as the form I would put in all issues or if you can add only one the one that is most serious and see what they say
They are fixing both with good results I am putting up some pages so will add them in here when done. It takes about 2 1/2 weeks to grow out the stemcells. You can travel the same day it is virtually less painful than a cortizone shot but infinitely more useful..Contact me if you need info or want to catch up I can phone on skype if you email me a number...
Thanks Anona. I think I'm going to have to leave it this time. I won't be able to get the funds and can't take that much time off work just now.
Good news is I was granted a scholarship! So I'll be heading to LA on the 13th March for 10 days! I'll be ensconced in the hotel for all that time doing the workshop. Suits me well as I don't want to do sightseeing. Food for the time is vegetarian and I'm hoping to utilise the hotel swimming pool everyday. So, I should return to Australia renewed in body as well as mind!
I will definitely follow up re stem cells for meniscus repair, just not at the moment. People have said to me, why take the risk of it not working, it's only experimental etc I would rather have a try at this than have my knee replaced as that is major major surgery! Then, if it fails I can still have the knee replacement. Thanks for your help!
Hi Oz,
The scholarship is awesome I hope you have a great time...They will likely have stem cells where you are too...if you let me know what kind of procedure they will do I can find out what kind of results they are getting...I am working on the PhD finally got through everything else
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