So as a result of my consult with Dr. OS, the orthopedic surgeon, two things were going to happen. I was going to get a soon-as-possible hip replacement, and, because he wasn’t impressed with the condition I am in, he was going to write to Dr. R., my rheumie. He said that I should expect to hear from her in very short order. (Told me this with an eye roll.)
GOOD:
We went away for a short but lovely trip to Florida. I was able to swim at least once a day. It was glorious.
LESS GOOD:
Before leaving (this was almost three weeks after seeing the OS) I called the rheumie’s office and the attack-dog receptionist gave me attitude for asking about a possible appointment as a result of Dr. OS’s letter. She didn’t know anything about any letter. I gave up and we went on our mini-vacation.
When I returned, still nothing from Dr. Rheumy’s office. I faxed a benign enquiry about whether they’d received anything from Dr. OS. No response. Two days later, I left a voice message. Then the attack dog called back and lit into me about “we don’t call every patient each time a letter comes in”. I explained, as politely as I could, that in mid-December, Dr.OS had said I’d be hearing from Dr. R very soon. Said he kind of made it sound as if it was urgent, and now it was a month later. Anyway, she did allow that the letter was there, but nothing more. I said thank you and good bye, that was all I needed to know. And hour later she called back, much more pleasant, and said that Dr. R had asked her to put me on a cancellation list. Oh, OK then! We’ll see what comes of this. I need to leave this practice as soon as I can.
VERY GOOD:
I resurrected my inquiry to the Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic. They responded right away, and invited me to attend the clinic for a second opinion first, and then possibly be part of their research program. I expressed surprise about the second opinion. The person I spoke to said “oh, we do this all the time”. Well, count me IN! All I need is a referral from my GP. I know that she will do that for me, and I see her Monday. The waiting time is a few months. Best of all, the clinic is run by, and everybody gets input from, Dr. Dafna Gladman. Yes, she’s the one that wrote the book. Google her! I am thrilled about this.
COULD BE BETTER:
Dr OS said he’d try to do my hip in February. His scheduler managed to get me in at the end of March. Two more months of this pain, and the pain is bad these days. (TG for Tramadol) On the other hand, the usual wait time for this top drawer surgeon is a year, though, so in relative terms, I am lucky. Too bad about the spring holiday we’ve had to cancel. 
We cancelled last spring’s too because of a PsA problem. Have I mentioned how much I hate this disease?
AWESOME:
The Toronto clinic emailed me today, and they are putting me on a cancellation list, hoping to get me in before my surgery. I just need to hurry the referral along. They seem very concerned and caring there – such a nice contrast with Dr R’s office! I was so ready for some good news.