A Step in the Right Direction.

I had the x-ray of my lower back and hips yesterday. I can't complain about the efficiency of the service at all - for the first time ever at this hospital I had no problems parking which meant that I arrived way too early for my appointment. I was called in as soon as I walked into the waiting room, the x-ray was taken and I was driving home before the actual appointment time! The results should be available in about ten days.

At home, with a coffee and my lifestyle lists, I was trying to decide the best way to start walking daily without making my knee any worse. I spent a while researching the cost of gym membership but, to be honest, I'm not convinced that I'd go often enough to justify the expense and I'd also need to assess my post-retirement budget to see how much cash could be set aside for this. I was interrupted by the phone, which I nearly didn't answer because it was a withheld number, but luckily I did. It was the physiotherapy department at the local hospital who reminded me that my doctor had referred me for physio on my knee - it'd taken so long I'd completely forgotten about it! Anyway, after the initial confusion about x-rays (I thought she was talking about the one I'd had that morning but she was talking about the one I'd had weeks ago on my knee!), I had a long conversation with her about what the problem is (she's going to deal with hips as well as knees without another referral) and what I hoped to get out of physio. She doesn't recommend the gym at this stage but will send a leaflet of exercises I can start doing at home and will arrange for me to join a weekly exercise group that she runs at the hospital. I'm not sure how long this will continue but it'll be a good way to start exercising again and more importantly, a safer way with proper supervision. 

I feel quite relieved that this is going to happen. The sooner I can walk without pain, the better. It impacts on every aspect of my life so I'm happy to know that I can start doing what needs to be done. 

Later, I was thinking about the fact that I'd completely forgotten about the referral. I usually have a good memory for this sort of thing so it's out of character for me. I was just wondering what else I'd forgotten when another conversation with my doctor that I'd forgotten about just came to mind - when he reduced to one day a week he recommended the best doctor for me to see if I needed an appointment in his absence. Cue another even bigger feeling of relief - I'll go with his recommendation and see how it goes.