Feeling down.... with no light at the end of the tunnel yet!

[leahjg-90]

I had my 8th RK dislocation back on the 7 Oct 17 - had an MRI, consultation appointments and the got referred to a specialist hospital for surgery. They thought I needed a trochleoplasty, however think the MPFL reconstruction will be a good enough repair. So the referral wasn't needed after all.

I am currently 20 weeks post initial referral... I spoke to the specialist hospital I was referred to yesterday and they said my waiting time is only showing 9 weeks (not 20 weeks). Despite reassuring me that my referral time includes my wait from my local hospital... they are not counting it now!!
Cynically, I think this is because I am already in breach of the 18 week non-urgent referral target waiting time.  They also lost my referral - meaning I spent a lot of time chasing it up between the two hospitals - so adding 2 weeks to my wait time as well.

I have been told not to expect surgery until June - by which time I will be 34 weeks post referral.

I am just FED UP....
I still haven't fully returned to work (which I love) - long days on my feet at work cause lots of lower limb swelling and pain. I can't walk for very long without pain and just can't make any plans to really do much. Life is very much day by day.
If I had the money for private health care, I would pay it. I'm getting nowhere with anyone. I understand the NHS are massively strained and under pressure, but I just can't help feeling down and like my voice isn't being heard.

I know I can't really do much and I know others have it much worse. But I am just at the end of my tether..... and just needed a vent.

[Brandon123]

It is completely understandable that you are fed up and sick of it all. Long-term knee problems and consultations, waiting, surgeries, and uncertainty - not only about your knee, but also the impact on everyday life - just wears you down. Try to take it one day at a time and also try to remember that things will get better, despite the fact that the situation sucks right now.

[Celina1989]

Hi Leahjg, i feel sorry for you. Waiting is maybe as worse as the pain itself. You already waited a very long time and now even have to wait longer. It would fed me up as well! Not much we can do unfortunatly i think. Good luck with your surgery!

[BenAldridge0]

I get it!

I've been challenging myself to stop ruminating on my knees and only spend a few isolated moments of the day trying to tackle. But it's so hard to stop thinking about an issue that you can feel in your body as a constant reminder.