How did you spend your Monday? We spent it with 12 hours at the local hospital. At least Peter did. I (Helena) only got there after work. Peter has had a sore knee for quite some time, and lately it has been getting worse ...
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ShareAn injured knee
Peter has had pain and stiffness in his left knee for quite some time. It started at the end of the summer motorhome trip, and we thought it was because he was sitting in the same position for so long when we drove home. We hoped it would go away with rest, anti-inflammatory tablets and gentle walks, but not so. Instead, it got worse.
On Monday, he called the medical centre, but since they didn't have an appointment until 25 October (!), they advised him to go to Närakut Haga at Karolinska Hospital. So he did!
12 hours in the emergency room
Of course, one is prepared to wait a long time in an emergency room and Peter paid the parking fee for six hours. But the whole thing took 12 hours ...
The staff actually apologised, called us "the patient couple" and said they "would have liked to give Peter a sticker for his patient wait if they had any". (Peter said it's just as good with a big strong one, but apparently that was the limit, haha.) The reason we had to wait so long was because they accidentally sent his referral for an X-ray to Huddinge ...
How did it go? The X-ray showed calcium in the knee, and the doctor said it would be relatively easy to fix with a cortisone shot, some medicine and possibly some physiotherapy. Unfortunately, we have not noticed any effect of the injection yet, but we hope that we can give some "happy" news on Happy Friday. And the car? Well, if we get help with the knee, a parking fine of SEK 300 is not a big problem.
Tired
A whole day in the emergency room takes its toll and yesterday we were very tired, especially me (Helena) although maybe it should have been the other way round? In any case, Peter made sure to spoil me with a fantastic dinner after work: fresh tuna medallions with wedge potatoes and grape salad. Much better than Monday's hot dog from the press office in the entrance of Karolinska Hospital!
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Lena - good for the soul says:
So sad to wait so long, but nice to get help of course. It can be seen that the knee is really swollen. Hope it gets better soon!
Hug Lena
03 October 2018 - 6:10
Peter says:
Hi Lena! After a syringe and tablets that I limpingly picked up yesterday, the doctor said it would get better today, mhhh. It is not much better and maybe I have to do everything again. Now I will go to the senior fair because it is a must, for future collaborations. Be well Lena
03 October 2018 - 9:21
The Nomads says:
My husband had a swollen knee last autumn, he went to the Sofia home and within an hour, was x-rayed, the blood was drawn and he was given medicine. 800 SEK, which is probably as much as your visit cost in total. Worth thinking about next time, you don't have so far to go.
03 October 2018 - 7:00
Peter says:
That sounds very good. It was a lot of hours, but I'm not complaining because I got X-rays, doctors and expert care for SEK 200. The rest was my own fault, but $200 to get a diagnosis and help is easily worth it. we will see how it goes later this week. Take care of yourselves.
03 October 2018 - 9:24
Johnny Friskilä says:
Oh, well, Peter will get over it. I hope he brought a book to the emergency room. Hugs
03 October 2018 - 7:12
Peter says:
Hi Johnny and thanks for writing! I had my computer with me and wrote new posts for the blog. It's still hard to get anything done, because I could only sit for 20 minutes and then stand for the same amount of time. My leg won't carry me if I get stuck sitting. It is not a very big deal because there are others who have it worse, but it inhibits me for everything you want to do. Goodbye and take care of yourself.
03 October 2018 - 9:27
åsa/nalta norrland says:
Now I hope Peter's knee gets better quickly. A little rest is not entirely wrong in this situation.
03 October 2018 - 7:45
Peter says:
Thank you Åsa and how sweet you are! I think about what I do, but I have so many obligations and meetings that have to work and that we all have. I can get around but it just takes much longer. We'll see how it goes later in the week. Take care of yourself Åsa.
03 October 2018 - 9:30
Ama de casa says:
But fy what waiting times, both to the VC and the emergency room. Now hope that the treatment has helped and helps, so it will be a very happy Friday post!
Get well soon, Peter!
PS: In addition to significantly less waiting time here in Spain, there is also free parking at the hospitals. It really should be in Sweden as well.
03 October 2018 - 9:13
Peter says:
Hi Ama! Let's hope it gets a little happier later this week, or better because I'm still happy. I have nothing serious and it is possible to heal, but it is difficult to move forward. There are so many worse things in life and some good food and a glass of wine works for a while, haha. I know that health care is better in many countries and now some government officials will have to change this in the future. They have to do something, I hope. Now I will turn into the car and link to the senior fair in Älvsjö, because Sri Lanka exhibits and we are going there around Christmas. Be well and take care of yourself.
03 October 2018 - 9:36
Emma, sun like sun? says:
Well, yeah.
There may be free parking at your hospital, Ama, but not mine. But there is a difference between public (mine) and private (yours).
03 October 2018 - 11:45
Ama de casa says:
So they charge you there? With us it is free even in the public hospital, I thought it was like that in all of Spain. Thankfully, I haven't had to check that detail other than at the two hospitals at home 🙂.
04 October 2018 - 10:37
Marianne - Glimpses of the world says:
Get well soon, hope it doesn't take long for your knee to recover!
03 October 2018 - 9:44
Peter says:
Thank you Marianne! I don't think it's good yet, but a couple more shots and a few more weeks are needed to get me dancing again.
03 October 2018 - 18:34
Lennart says:
It's no fun when your body starts to struggle.
I hope it works out.
03 October 2018 - 10:25
Peter says:
Hi Lennart! You're in the middle of the road and things happen in life. It will be good. Goodbye!
03 October 2018 - 18:35
Ruth in Virginia says:
Of course it will be fine, Peter. No almost-guy wants to know
that there will be wear and tear on the ridges. 🙂
I've been in the dead half for 40 years and I'm still hanging around.
still involved, but no risk of speeding,
that is clear.
04 October 2018 - 3:58
Ama de casa says:
Ruth... No risk of speeding? Haha! You're joking aprillo?
We've travelled with you and had to hold on tight. But we must thank you for the very unexpected visit to CIA Langley anyway. Without you we would never have ended up there 😀.
Hugs to you!
04 October 2018 - 19:29
GeddFish says:
People react differently. Maybe the evil has to come out and you will be great on Friday? 😀
When I injured my back last summer, I requested laser treatment. And for each treatment, I was helped, but two days after, I got a nasty pain. After 3 weeks I was fine (as I usually am with my back) 😀.
Get well soon! Love, Gerd
03 October 2018 - 10:45
Peter says:
Hi Gerd! I think like you it will take a while, but it will be fine. I've had problems with my back for 25 years, but it's gone now after I stopped working in construction. Maybe I sit too much now instead, haha, it's always something. Take care of yourself Gerd!
03 October 2018 - 18:44
Mr Steve says:
Sometimes things happen that should not happen. I recognise long waiting times in the emergency room, but if there is anywhere in the healthcare system where commendable efforts are made, it is in the emergency rooms. Imagine having a job where you never know what will happen next.
If you can just accept that everything takes much longer than normal, you'll get through this too. The pace of the Senior Fair will probably suit you today.
That was a delicious meal you whipped up.
I hope the treatment helps and you are soon back to your old self. All the best!
03 October 2018 - 11:33
Peter says:
Hi Steve! I can wait and I think they are doing a fantastic job, whatever the media says. It's no big deal and I know I'll be fine, but because there are meetings and everything I should be going to, it's a bit of a mess. I've got rid of the back shots now so I'm happy anyway. The grape salad is very good with melon and Meyer salad and plenty of olive oil. Take care Steve and it is always fun when you write. Say hello to your half!
03 October 2018 - 18:49
Emma, sun like sun? says:
Tough. And you might think that in this situation the hospital should pay the fine. But they don't want you to take the car, they want you to use public transport. I have had that discussion with St Görans when I was there and almost missed an appointment because there was no parking.
Super easy to use public transport with a bad knee ...
We look forward to a Happy Friday with positive knee messages!
That's right. It is easier to get hospital appointments in Spain. You get an appointment with a specialist at reception on the way out from the first visit. When we went to the doctor last week with our son's back (scoliosis?) they didn't have an appointment, but a day later there was a letter in the box and in about three weeks he has an appointment. It was a long time by Spanish standards. At least Spain knows about health care.
03 October 2018 - 11:51
Peter says:
Hi Emma! We also met an elderly couple this summer in France, and the care they received there would never happen in Sweden. I'm lucky that I only have a knee with calcium in it and it can be healed in Sweden with some injections and medicine. I am still positive about most things in life and I have no serious injuries. Have fun Emma and take care of yourself.
03 October 2018 - 18:53
Kenneth Risberg says:
Hey, hey, hey, hey,
Not fun to have sore knees, I know how it is as an old sheet metal worker.
Get well soon, son.
The Senoir Fair might have been something for me.
03 October 2018 - 13:57
Peter says:
Hello there! The senior fair is very nice and with the right speed, at least today, haha. I was completely exhausted after 3 hours and had to go home and lie down with a swollen knee. It will take a while but it will work out. Bye Kenneth!
03 October 2018 - 18:55
Ditte says:
It was a long wait. But I now hope that the cortisone injection will help. I have a cold shoulder and in March I first received a cortisone injection in the shoulder, the muscles and a few weeks later another one directly into the joint. And with the injection directly into the joint, I felt improvement after a couple of days. I also took naproxen which helped. When it was at its worst, it was pain relief with citodone. Perhaps another injection is needed to make it all ok.
Wishing Peter a speedy recovery.
03 October 2018 - 14:47
Peter says:
Hi Ditte! That didn't sound like much fun and I think I'll have to take the same route. After the fair today, I could barely walk after three hours. I will call tomorrow and ask how long I should wait before the second injection. I don't think it will help yet. Thanks for the info and it was nice to meet you last time. Hugs from me!
03 October 2018 - 18:58
Anja says:
I myself injured my hand while on holiday abroad last summer and went straight to Haga närakut (after two weeks) when we came home. I was not even admitted, but was told that "We do not take care of old injuries here." Was referred to the health centre (with some waiting time) and got a referral for an X-ray (with some waiting time). It turned out to be minor fractures and then nothing is done.... Now the hand is completely crooked from the knuckles and down the fingers and I have been given an appointment with an occupational therapist and hope to get exercises that correct it. Not fun when the body does not work as it should. We need our knees and hands! Good luck Peter!
03 October 2018 - 14:58
Peter says:
Hi Anja! I do not think it is ok for what you have been through, and that is what the media is writing about. Everyone has the right to good care and also to be treated properly. I really hope they help you along the way. Like I said... We all need our paws. I'm sending you a hug!
03 October 2018 - 19:01
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
It's not fun when your body goes on strike and luckily it's something that will hopefully be over soon.
We saw a blurb about the Senior Fair, but now the remaining holiday days are booked until the last minute!
Take care of yourself so we get a good story on the "Happy Friday" post.
03 October 2018 - 16:19
Peter says:
Hi Britt-Marie! I don't dare hope that it's resolved by then, but I'm still happy about it, as always. There are so many people who have it worse than me and I'm glad it's not a death sentence, because that would make me angry. I have so much to do in life so death can actually wait. I send you a hug!
03 October 2018 - 19:04
Husis blog says:
What a shame about the knee and the wait. This is a part of the healthcare system that does not work satisfactorily, unfortunately. That a citizen should have to wait as long as you did can hardly be acceptable.
But, but, now I and my owners hope that you will soon have a whole knee that can withstand strain.
I would also like to send a greeting from my male owner who found the chat at Elmia pleasant and rewarding.
03 October 2018 - 19:57
Peter says:
Hi there Husis! It was nice to meet you and we will do it again. I know now that I will have to bring syringes because this is pretty good, and we can hope that it will work out with time number two. Take care of yourselves!
04 October 2018 - 13:55
BP says:
Imagine if you could ever hear/read anything positive about Swedish healthcare right now. I think it's just misery, regardless of whether it's about waiting times at health centres, emergency rooms or local clinics. Sigh!
The positive thing I can tell you is that I got a cortisone shot in my shoulder with the same diagnosis as Peter's knee. It took about three days and the pain was gone. It has not returned since then.
As for the parking ticket, you just go back to Närakuten and ask for a confirmation that Peter had to wait for 12 hours, then you send/email it to Parkeringsbolaget and get your money back. Okay, 300 kronor is not much, but you can still have more fun with the money.
03 October 2018 - 20:07
Peter says:
Hi PB! 300 is of course 300 and we always count money otherwise we would not be able to live like this. We will never have much money but quality of life and knowledge and that is what we value most. Good to hear that you have had the same thing and that it went over. I've been going for three months and left when it was at its worst. I probably need another injection for it to go away. Nice to write a little on the blog and say hello again.
04 October 2018 - 13:59
snort says:
It's really crazy that you have to wait as long as 12 hours! Hope the knee improves.
03 October 2018 - 20:10
Peter says:
Hi Znogge! It will be a long wait and since I can't sit all the time, it was a bit tough. I'm still glad that we don't live in northern Sweden and maybe travelled 10 miles to get help. I am happy anyway!
04 October 2018 - 14:01
Ewa Sjöberg says:
Get well soon Peter! Hope it gets better soon with both pain and swelling. Hugs
04 October 2018 - 4:20
Peter says:
Hello Ewa and thank you! I need to become more mobile because it is needed on our trips and everything I do every day. Take care of yourself and thank you for writing.
04 October 2018 - 14:03
Biggeros says:
Twelve hours is a long time to wait. Then it is important not to be in a hurry. I hope the injection works and a big hug?
04 October 2018 - 16:33
Peter says:
Thank you for your concern. Since we are running around like crazy, we need all the paws. I think it will take a while for it to get better, but I'll give it until after the weekend and then more shots. Have a nice weekend.
05 October 2018 - 10:03
Maria / Magnolia Magis says:
Get well soon Peter! So you can spoil Helena!!! 😉 Notice the vertebrae and joints when we travel so unfortunately it has put a stop to several excursions. But it's just realise that it's time to start training..would have been needed several years ago... Hope you have a nice painless weekend!
04 October 2018 - 16:36
Peter says:
Hi! I want to start exercising, but it's not possible yet. I want to start exercising but I can't yet. I usually walk at a brisk pace for almost two hours every morning but now I can't do that either. It will get better! I'm always spoiling Helena and I'll give her that. I take care of everything at home and all the contacts with businesses that bring in money. Hard work should pay off. Take care of yourself Maria!
05 October 2018 - 10:06