A ruined life.

A ruined life: During February 2000 a had a triple fusion of the spine done due to a pinched sciatic nerve. The pain disappeared, however I suffered blood clots in the lungs. After the operation I had oedema in my right leg as well as poor circulation. I also had difficulty walking any distance and with pain in my upper legs. In 2016 I had another fusion which ruined my life. Firstly there is pain in my right buttock which occurs every 2 to 4 weeks for 2 days, leaving me creeping around the house with a walker or a cane. At first the specialist concerned told my husband that I was imagining the pain and at a later date, after x-rays he said that he could see nothing and left it at that. Secondly, now my left leg is also suffering from oedema as well as poor circulation. I have more difficulty walking any distance and still with pain in my upper legs. When mentioning this to the specialist treating me, he said that he had “made a mistake during the first operation by not following the natural curve of my spine.” Nice! Thirdly, my left arm is swollen and painful with the little finger and ring finger lame. The specialist said that this would be gone within 1½ years. It is not. My left shoulder, which is frozen from a previous injury, is also painful since this operation. Last, but not least, I had 12 blood clots in my lungs as a result of the operation. In spite of the previous blood clot scare, no special preventative measures were taken beyond the heparin injections in my stomach, which often have a blood clot result after being discontinued. This has left me using 2 different inhalers to enable my body to get sufficient oxygen. I am also on warfarin (blood thinners) for the rest of my life. So, now I am in pain most of the time and the simplest household tasks leave me breathless and tired. My quality of life is none-existent due to an arrogant and negligent doctor. The fun thing is: you cannot take him to task because he is quick to point out that he has lawyers on a retainer. Hooray, South Africa!