"Chronic Pain"

I have had many problems with both knees, which started in 1982 and over the past 40 years I have had numerous operations, I was always told that I could not have knee replacements as I was too young.  I eventually had knee replacement surgery on both knees, 2012 right knee & 2013 left knee, the left knee has always given more pain than the right. 

In 2012 I had my first knee replacement on my right knee, the difference was like night & day, so good that I said when can I get the left one done.  So, in 2013 I went for replacement knee surgery on the left, prior to the operation I met with the consultant's understudy and said "I just wanted to let you know that we have not had a great success with knee replacements that have no knee cap", I stupidly said I can't be left worse off than I am now, WRONG.

I have been living with Severe pain leading to Chronic pain in the past 3 years.  For the pain I have been under the Chronic Pain team of NHS Grampian, we tried numerous treatments all failed so I was asked if I would like to trial a Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS), the trial would last 1-3 weeks, this meant a procedure within the operating theatre in Aberdeen Woodend Hospital (AWH).  

The following describes my encounter with Pain team, ARI Doctors & nurses of the AWH Operating Theatre, Recovery Room & all who were working within Ward 10 of AWH in October 2020, every single person I had dealings with were so pleasant, polite and enthusiastic, every single person couldn't do enough to help and I can testify from someone who is dealing with excruciating pain, the smiley faces, the politeness, the nothing is too much bother attitude was a breathe of fresh air.  All to often people are quick to complain, but do we ever take time to thank someone for making our stay positive.  I truly cannot thank everyone that I met during my stay enough, they were amazing.  

I would also like to thank Dr Nagaraja & Pain Clinical Nurse Specialist  MacLeod both of whom gave far more than is expected of them, their dedication to ensure that I & my wife were kept informed on what was happening and when, Dr Nagaraja even came in from his holiday break to check I was ok went again over & above what is asked of them.  They as much as my family wanted this to be a success but we don't always get what we want in life and now I have to look at what else is on offer but please let me say again that these guys from the Pain Clinic of NHS Grampian are working extremely hard to ensure we get the best treatment that is available, it might not happen straight of the bat but rest assured these guys are not resting on their laurels and are trying their best to give us a life that is pain free or at least enough release in order to function as a human being again.