The thumb is an exceedingly useful digit. Thumbs allow us to demonstrate both powerful and precise movements, from lifting weights to writing with a pen. We are unable to effectively use an object as a tool without an operational thumb. Everyday tasks become problematic, especially as thumbs are prone to arthritis, injury, syndromes, ordinary wear-and-tear and overuse in some professions.
Michael, through his occupation, art and pastimes has caused havoc in both his hands and wrists. Starting with repeat Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, he then accelerated to lack of cushioning cartilage, damage due to arthritis and that odd ailment known as Trigger Finger. He has also admitted that frequent battering of his left hand with hammers over many years had done him no favours.
After three operations, the shortening of his ulna bone, a partial wrist fusion and a most stylish and well engineered plate in his forearm, Michael's right side is about as good as it is going to get. Only after he gained some relief from the pain on that hand and wrist did he begin to recognise the discomfort of his other side.
Matters came to a head when his left thumb gave way whilst he was hanging one of Brian Aylward's drawings. Fortunately the picture itself was undamaged, however the same could not be said for the surrounding frame. We were just very lucky that Brian forgave Michael's accident and we didn't have to cough up for a new frame.
After X-ray, MRI and CAT scan, the Boy Wonder had a clearer understanding of Michael's troubles in his left hand and wrist. He described the structure as a disaster and spent some time pondering how to solve a number of issues. A cortisone injection gave Michael relief for a couple of weeks, before the pain returned worse than ever. Ben considered a wrist fusion an unreasonable risk at this time but a date for surgery was set to give Michael better control of his left thumb.
And thus, we rocked up to the Mount Hospital for Cattle Call at 6.30 am on Monday. As Michael was last on Ben Kimberley's list that morning, we were not processed until well after 7.30. We had a minor grumble that we could have had an hour's more sleep at Callum and Bronwyn's house where we'd stayed.
Then there was issues (again) with me boarding. In all my stays with him, the confirmation of my boarding status has only been approved at the eleventh hour. A promised phone from Bed Allocations had not eventuated, so I was rather terse when I rang the Mount as 4 pm last Friday. Promises were assured but I still hadn't had a definitive answer as Michael was admitted. Many thanks must go to Paul, the efficient and empathetic Concierge at the Mount Admissions who smoothed the way and sorted the issue. I could once again board at the Mount for the duration of Michael's stay.
The morning, as ever, was pretty boring. Michael snoozed for some of the time and he was eventually taken to the anesthetic waiting bays around 11 am. I kissed him goodbye as he was wheeled away from me into theatre.
Using Patient Finder, I kept tabs on him. I knew the surgery would be rather fiddly, so I was unsurprised when he didn't go to Recovery until an hour later. And that was when the trouble began. Apparently, Michael took longer than usual to wake up so he had to stay put until the nurses were satisfied. When I asked him later about his extended stay in Recovery, Michael maintained that he was tired and they kept disturbing his slumber!
Bleary eyed and sleepy for an hour or so, except to eat a sandwich, Michael began firing on all cylinders around dinner time. The physio, Barney was visiting when we realised every other patient on Karri ward appeared to be eating. A request to the nursing staff and Michael received the roast beef dinner he'd ordered. I had asked for the same, but they had run out so I had to accept a vegetarian dish instead...
The night passed relatively uneventfully, except for the hassles with the aging airconditioning, which started out too cold, warmed up for a bit and was cold by morning. More frustrating was that the toilet seat wouldn't stay up when required (oh yes, we've had lots of comments about that...), no blanket warmer with blankets on the ward and no microwave yet in the patients and visitors kitchen. If the airconditioning hadn't been quite so vicious, I would have been happy with a couple of thin and flimsy coverlets. These are issues that I had been assured would be fixed - in 2021.
Breakfast was also disappointing. I had eagerly chosen the smashed avocado and crispy bacon on toast. The avocado was bitter, the bacon was stodgy and the toast wasn't. An accompanying tomato was neither raw nor cooked through and unappetising. Michael's porridge was glue-like and his toast wasn't as well. Fortunately the yoghurt and granola was edible.
And the cost of this exceptional stay? $2800 for Michael. My boarding hasn't been charged yet. The anaesthetist has lodged his bill, but the Boy Wonder has yet to do so. The nursing had been good, very good by a couple of nurses, but there had been omissions - Michael's wrist had to be shaved in pre-op and paperwork was incomplete.
I do not regret contributing to private health insurance, so we may have the doctors of our choice. However, the Mount continues to look old and tired and is in desperate need of renovation, particularly the central airconditioning system, the toilet seats, the thin and scratchy linen. the bathroom issues (poky with poor drainage) and rust on the beds. Time, gentlemen, for a major upgrade. I noted with interest that many Google reviews mention the tired rooms and drop in the quality of the food on offer.
The good news is that we are home safe. Michael's pain levels, are at times, difficult, and he is often light-headed and very tired. His temporary cast will be taken down tomorrow when we visit Sandy Kevell, Occupational Therapist to the Stars, for his latest splint. And then, we just wait and see how much function he regains in his thumb. And hopefully, a lot less discomfort.
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