2nd Post-op X-rays

Well Gretchen missed school yesterday. She got up and gave an effort to get ready, but she complained of a headache and dizziness. I could tell she wasn't going to make it off the couch. If she did there was no way she'd get through an entire school day. I called her in absent and she fell back to sleep around 8AM and didn't get up until 1PM. The first day of school took a lot out of her.

This morning we had a bit of a break as well. Since her 4 week post-op is tomorrow, she needed to go in for x-rays again. We went to the office right in front of the hospital this time. You're suppose to be able to do X-rays on a walk in basis. But the other radiology office is really popular or something. We had over an hour wait. This morning we got in and out in half an hour. The staff seemed friendlier as well. I think we will be going to this location next time.

Gretchen was happy. I was able to sit in the room with her. Then the technician showed her the pics he took. He was totally grossed out about the pin in her heel. Admitted he did not do well on his surgical rotation. All the power tools in the operating room. At the 2 week X-ray visit, I asked the other technician how the pics turned out. She said only the doctor can read them. All I thought was I asked how they turned out, I wasn't looking for a diagnosis. We're all happy with the office #2, so I'm sure we will be back there for the 6 week X-rays. Then we dropped Gretchen off at school. She is definitely back to herself at least compared to yesterday. Hoping today won't wear her out as much as Monday.

Comments: 31

JOHN BECK Jan 16, 2013, 2:18pm UTC

"I asked the other technician how the pics turned out. She said only the doctor can read them." Often the tech is not supposed to even comment on the quality of the images; the radiologist decides whether the images are OK or if others need to be taken or some taken over.

Veronica Hosking Jan 16, 2013, 4:37pm UTC

All these checks and balances to guard against malpractice I'm sure. It still gets annoying.

JOHN BECK Jan 16, 2013, 4:49pm UTC

The tech wouldn't let you leave if the images were of good quality. Techs are asked about images all the time, which is why they're taught not to give information on the quality or the results.

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Ann Marcaida Jan 16, 2013, 2:30pm UTC

" He was totally grossed out about the pin in her heel"

I presume that was accidental?

I once took my younger sister to the ER because she stuck a raisin up her nose. It swelled from the moisture of her body and we couldn't get it out. The ER physician used what were probably the longest pair of tweezers in creation to retrieve it.

Veronica Hosking Jan 16, 2013, 4:35pm UTC

No it's not accidental. Her heel was removed and adjusted. The pin is holding it in its new position for now. The next step will be removing the pin and then rehab to learn to walk on her "new" foot.

Ann Marcaida Jan 16, 2013, 5:01pm UTC

Oh. A "good" pin. That's a relief!

Ann Marcaida Jan 18, 2013, 11:20am UTC

Back to add that your family is in my thoughts and I wish the best possible health for Gretchen!

Veronica Hosking Jan 18, 2013, 2:28pm UTC

Thank you, Ann. The doctor pulled the pin out yesterday. He had it out without her even realizing it. There was some complaining about it before hand, but it went smoother than the suture removal. Gretchen can now start putting some weight on her foot, but she is a little apprehensive. She hasn't put any weight on it for 4 weeks.

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Kevin E. Jan 16, 2013, 2:37pm UTC

I was very glad to read your post and to know that Gretchen is getting better. I sympathize with your frustrations with the doctor's office. Over the years my family and I have had bad experiences from doctors and their staff. We have fired a few because of the doctors and their staff. We refuse to go to certain hospitals and prefer to drive out of our way to go to another hospital because of being mistreated by hospital staff.

It seems to me that you still have quite a lot on your plate. Take care of you.

Veronica Hosking Jan 16, 2013, 4:39pm UTC

Yes the doctor pretty much reconstructed her foot. There is still a lot of work to be done.

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Susan N. Jan 16, 2013, 8:09pm UTC

Sounds like the technician was more than just a radiology tech in a former life! Glad Gretchen is back to school, sorry she was not able to go the second day. I thing kids exhaust themselves with excitement, I think she will settle in and adjust to the school schedule and do pretty well since she so enjoys school! Yay for progress!

Veronica Hosking Jan 17, 2013, 3:22pm UTC

Yes I thought it strange when he said he had a surgical rotation. The pin was pulled this morning. It is not as big as it appears in X-ray.

Veronica Hosking Feb 1, 2013, 10:21am UTC

Saw the same tech this past Wednesday. When he was talking about surgical rotation, he meant as an X-ray tech, wheeling the portable X-ray machines from one operating room to the next. It makes a lot more sense now.

Susan N. Feb 1, 2013, 7:34pm UTC

That does make sense! Glad you have a good one who seems knowledgeable!

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Pamela Marks Jan 16, 2013, 10:28pm UTC

is your school all on one floor or do they have elevators?

Veronica Hosking Jan 17, 2013, 1:45pm UTC

Single story multiple pods - buildings.

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Janet "Jax" B. Jan 16, 2013, 11:15pm UTC

I"m exhausted just reading about it. LOL. We still haven't heard back from the scheduler. Pher left another message today....the one person said everything is a go to schedule....but who knows.

ʚϊɞ Carol ʚϊɞ Jan 17, 2013, 11:51am UTC

The waiting is so frustrating.

Veronica Hosking Jan 17, 2013, 1:58pm UTC

Exhausting was this morning. Get her ready for school, on the bus, go pick her for dr appt, he pulls out pin - what an adventure, then go to McDonald's since it was 6th grade lunchtime, then drop Gretchen back at school.

Janet "Jax" B. Jan 17, 2013, 5:12pm UTC

Yup..that's tiring....for both of you.

Veronica Hosking Jan 17, 2013, 7:18pm UTC

Yes, it was so glad she has a 4 day weekend for MLK day. First week back was exhausting trying to get used to a new routine. Of course waiting can be exhausting, too. Do you know about when Pher will hear anything?