Thread: Forget the good news, now it's RoboOx

There’s no end to it. As fast as I get one thing under control, another comes along to knock me off balance.

Today, nine weeks after the event, I’ve learnt I have two prosthetic devices buried somewhere in my throat. I found out, not from the surgeon but from my insurer, who sent me a statement listing the items they’d paid out on. The lousy sawbones never said a dicky-bird about this.

Ligaclips, they’re called. Apparently they take the place of ligaments either side of my neck and stop my head from falling into my lap.

So why am I jumping up and down? Ethics, for one thing; I should have been told. The risk to my health from any subsequent MRIs, for another – there are titanium clips in these things, and metal and MRIs aren’t always compatible.

It’s no wonder I’m in the mess I’m in with my head – that’s my mental and emotional head, not the physical one. I might just go out and get

Holy cow, the doc didn't think that was a tiny bit important to tell you? Titanium has a low magnetism I think (right? I'd have to look it up) but still, pretty significant to know. Can't say I think much of your doc.

You'll have fun at the airport. Just be grateful the metal's at the top end.

Don't worry about it, Ox. Titanium is a paramagnet, which means it won't trigger any magnetic reaction unless it is trigger by a direct electromagnetic field (think literally inserting a magnet through your neck just to have some sort of reaction) and since it's put inside the body, I'm pretty sure it's an alloy, and that lessens the magnetic capabilities of the metal. It's also virtually rust-proof, so it will never undergo wear and tear.

The downside: The doctor should have informed you of this. It's his ethical, moral and legal duty to tell you that he'd add such an accessory. Sheesh. That doctor better have a damn good reason not to tell you.

The doctor put a device into your body without your consent? That's completely and utterly unethical. If I was you, OX, I would raise holy hell with the hospital. Threaten to sue, report the doctor to the medical board, but definitely don't take it lying down. Even if it's a decision which may save your life, a doctor has zero right to perform any kind of invasive treatment without a patient's consent or signed approval.

Always wanted to get your head in your lap, and he stopped it without even telling you!

Originally Posted by Sam W

definitely don't take it lying down.

A little late for that particular bit of advice, Sam.

Does that mean that your wife can now tell you what to do and you'll do it, RoboOx?

Ox, a few questions:

• Is there a chair in your ward with straps on the arms?
• Have they shaved a monk's tonsure on your lolling head?
• Is there a lot of whispering and giggling about, 'old sparky'?

Just askin'?

Originally Posted by Foxee

Can't say I think much of your doc.

I should have known. Anyone who can visit his patients wearing board shorts and a T-shirt and, in my case, say, "G'day, Mickey", is a bit suss.

Originally Posted by TheFuhrer02

Don't worry about it, Ox. Titanium is a paramagnet, which means it won't trigger any magnetic reaction unless it is trigger by a direct electromagnetic field (think literally inserting a magnet through your neck just to have some sort of reaction) and since it's put inside the body, I'm pretty sure it's an alloy, and that lessens the magnetic capabilities of the metal. It's also virtually rust-proof, so it will never undergo wear and tear.

It's good to have you on board, Fuhrer.

The downside: The doctor should have informed you of this. It's his ethical, moral and legal duty to tell you that he'd add such an accessory. Sheesh. That doctor better have a damn good reason not to tell you.

Originally Posted by Sam W

The doctor put a device into your body without your consent? That's completely and utterly unethical. If I was you, OX, I would raise holy hell with the hospital. Threaten to sue, report the doctor to the medical board, but definitely don't take it lying down. Even if it's a decision which may save your life, a doctor has zero right to perform any kind of invasive treatment without a patient's consent or signed approval.

Now I think about it, I did sign a Consent form, long before I entered hospital, that had a lot of small print and medical mumbo-jumbo in it. Everyone's arse was prolly covered there.

Originally Posted by qwertyman

Ox, a few questions:

• Is there a chair in your ward with straps on the arms?
• Have they shaved a monk's tonsure on your lolling head?
• Is there a lot of whispering and giggling about, 'old sparky'?

Just askin'?

I see you're still having trouble with punctuation, me old china.

Farking fine print. The procedure should have been explained detail by detail. I can't even say anything like buck up, or chin up... but go outside and look around though, maybe it has rained and you can breathe in the strong air. Or maybe it hasn't rained, but do it anyhow.

Pssstt! Eluixa, he's a Queenslander, don't mention the rain.

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

Now I think about it, I did sign a Consent form, long before I entered hospital, that had a lot of small print and medical mumbo-jumbo in it. Everyone's arse was prolly covered there.

I thought you were a questioner, Ox... That'll teach you to always read the small print.

Seriously though, you've got so much going on in your life right now. It's no wonder you don't feel like writing.

Originally Posted by qwertyman

Pssstt! Eluixa, he's a Queenslander, don't mention the rain.

Doh! Silly me.