Arthroscopy 1- At Home In Hospital

Although I am a late starter, this year has been a real boon for me when it comes to surgery.

Not that my previous surgical experience – an appendectomy – was something I would like to repeat. But at least on that occasion it was kind of nice not having to deal with all the bureaucracy associated with medical treatment. After all, I only had 3 hours notice between being diagnosed with a funny tummy and going under the knife.

This time is different. I have had niggling knee pain over an extended period that has become progressively worse, and I know that surgery is inevitable. I won't go into the whole process, which has taken several months, but suffice it to say that after undergoing an MRI scan, examination by three different specialists and pulling some strings in the medical world, I have managed to arrange a date for knee surgery with my surgeon of choice.

Things to Prepare

A week before surgery I visited Kupat Holim – my health insurer – to undergo pre-surgical tests and to obtain their undertaking to pay for the procedure. Everything was apparently falling into place. As it happened, my surgeon did not operate in Jerusalem and so I made preparations to leave town for the duration. It was all strictly planned: When the big day arrived I would take the early morning bus from Jerusalem to the hospital, admit myself and then and go under the knife. After waking from the anaesthetic as an invalid, my sister and brother in law would take me to their home in the Shomron, an hour's trip north and lavish me with nursing care.

I deemed it prudent to stock my apartment in advance with food items so that I wouldn't go hungry after returning home from my sister's care, but still on crutches. So I nipped out to the supermarket the day before the procedure. While wandering the aisles, another shopper called her friend on the phone: "Hey, it's me! Yes, I just got back from a trip to China and had knee surgery too. I feel great!"

Now that's a coincidence, I thought, that’s my story too! I approached the woman and we swapped experiences about China. Then she told me of her arthroscopy. It has just been a week since her procedure. "Ah, child's play. I didn't need crutches at all - maybe a walking stick for a couple of days. Here, let me show you the incision". And with that she raised her leg so that everyone waiting in line at the supermarket cashier could see the stitches sticking out of her knee. "I am absolutely fine now," she exclaimed before wishing me well and limping away like a wounded deer.

Packing for Hospital

I returned home and packed a large bag with clothes, laptop and other valuables that I would need at my sister's place, where I would be going there straight after surgery. Hospitals, however, are notorious for their pickpockets and I was nervous that while under the influence of medically approved narcotics and being assaulted by trained professionals, my laptop might mysteriously find a new owner. These are usually opportunistic thieves, not the professional, premeditated variety. I placed everything inside 2 bags (one inside the other) and put a padlock on the outer bag. To top it off, I brought a bicycle cable to anchor the bag to my bed. That should do it.

Travel Arrangements

I was asked to be at the operating theatre by 7am. As it happens the hospital is a 1 hour bus ride from Jerusalem. No problem thought I, there must be a 5.30 am bus. I was horrified to find that the first bus of the day would get me to the hospital way after 7am. I spoke with someone at the hospital admissions desk who has made it clear that patients are not operated on a first come, first served basis, so coming late would not be critical. On the other hand, the particular surgeon I arranged - after jumping though several hoops - to do the procedure was doing me a favor, so I should try to be on time. A taxi would drive me right into the hospital grounds, saving me the need to drag my heavy bag from the bus stop and display its contents to a security guard at the hospital's pedestrian entrance.
I ordered a taxi to pick me up at 5.55am.

Wish me luck.