WORRIED ABOUT PARTNER'S HOSPITAL APPOINTMENT

[Guest guest]

My partner Graham is going to stanmore on Friday about his back pain, he has scoliosis and respiratory problems, he uses a ventilator at night. He previously went to Oxford who gave him a couple of nerve block injections which didn't work. He had the harrington rod fitted at Stanmore about 30 years ago, they signed him off although the bottom of his spine was worsening. A few months ago I went with him to Stanmore, the surgeon said he may consider operating to put another rod in the lumbar part of the spine.Graham had an MRI scan a couple of months ago.

I was hoping to go with Graham for his appointment on Friday, I am now ill with a stomach bug, I think I may have caught it from my father's residential home, he has dementia.

I do get very worried about things and am not looking forward to the results of Graham's visit, his dad is going with him, he has been doing a lot for his parents recently as his dad had a foot operation last year, thats why Graham and I have been apart for quite a lot recently, with me doing most of the driving to his home 95 miles away!

I just hope Graham doesn't get told he needs a big operation, I know other people who have been told by different hospitals who have breathing problems that an operation is too risky. I have a feeling that I may have to do more running around to Graham's home when his father sees Graham's back scans too! I have scoliosis and use a ventilator but I know Graham does have more things wrong with him, his father has always said to look after Graham, I do my best!!

What annoys me the most is the fact that Graham shouldn't have been signed off 20 years ago from Stanmore and being checked on more regularly if they say now that something could have been done, why didn't Oxford operate? He didn't have a ventilator then?

I look forward to your comments.

Liz

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