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Surgery cancelled while booking in at the ward...

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Country_Bumpkin
Country_Bumpkin

Went in for my anterior and posterior repair / TVT surgery this morning, and we were literally stood there at the desk handing the Sister my forms.  My mobile started ringing, so my husband darted off with it - and came back seconds later with 'the look' on his face.  My op had been cancelled due to a bed shortage.

I'm so upset.  I was supposed to have this surgery 10 days ago and it was cancelled the night before.  This time I got as far as kissing the kids goodbye, lots of tears, horrid suppositories etc just for it to happen again. 

I called them this afternoon and they've rebooked me in for 3 weeks today - apparently as it was cancelled on the same day, they have to get me in within 28 days.

Bearing in mind I'd booked a holiday before any of these surgeries were booked, and I'd now be flying out 3 weeks after surgery, I've got a tricky decision to make and some really upset kids.  Think I'll have to move it to next week and pay a fortune in admin etc, but this whole thing is so upsetting.

Sorry, just wanted to rant to people who know how hard it is leading up to an op.  Obviously if any of you have had any experience of rearranging holidays / travel insurance I'd be really interested.

Thanks ladies.

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13 Replies

  • lyn1955
    lyn1955 Country_Bumpkin

    Posted

    Oh dear what a shame! I had my first date cancelled the day before and reset for 3 weeks later and I know how you feel and how you put everything on hold and rearrange your life. With regard to your holiday, I would think carefully. I am 2 1/2 weeks post op and there is no way I could travel anywhere yet. But then I am 59. You sound younger so you might bounce back more quickly. Could you not postpone your holiday OR your operation? 
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  • Rhona62
    Rhona62 Country_Bumpkin

    Posted

    Aww, how awful for you. I really hope this doesn't happen again. When I was waiting for surgery on the day I was told there was a bed shortage, fortunatley my surgery went ahead. On the day i was being discharged I was told my oxygen levels were low, however it seemed as soon as they realised there was another bed shortage I was hurried out of my bed and soon after sent home, this also happened to someone else on the ward. The Sister just said, oh this is always happening. Surely it shouldn't happen so often.

    Not really sure what to advise about travel except to say if you can it will probably be better to go before as recovery is a really long process.

    What hospital are you having your surgery in?

    Hope things go well, take care.

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  • archemedes
    archemedes Country_Bumpkin

    Posted

    This is an absolutely disgusting way to treat people, and you have my most sincere heartfelt sympathy.

    Things do seem to have got so much worse under this Government.

    I am a member of the NHS Foundation Trust for the area where I live and we really struggle with the contraints that this Government has placed upon us, to the extent that we are at breaking point, in common with much of the NHS.

    I am not a political animal, but I must say that I think things used to be a lot better under the previous Government.

     

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  • barb89646
    barb89646 Country_Bumpkin

    Posted

    OMG, so sorry. Moor you, the build up to surgery is hard enough without two cancellations.  And a vacation three weeks after!  Yikes, be careful on that.  I could Not have done it but you might be different, here's hoping...
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  • sue29502
    sue29502 Country_Bumpkin

    Posted

    Oh my... I would be fuming...  I am 6.5 weeks post op in Toronto.  Today I ventured out and made 4 stops.  A short walk in they all was more than enough.  You should consider canceling one or the other.  I am 56 and active.  I was planning a spring one week vacation and no way.  The body needs to heal.  Even walking more than 10 min still hurts.   They say you need 4 months to feel good. Talk it over 
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  • chica
    chica Country_Bumpkin

    Posted

    thats terrible.we are all just numbers.

    you got yourself all syked up twice.

    just think highly trained and payed surgeons were left twiddling their thumbs on that day there wasn't a bed for you.

    it happened to my friend who lives in uk.

    dont know what op called but she was supposed to be getting colostomy bag removed and bowel put back to normal.

    it may be that you go on holiday before your op appointment comes through.

    are you well enough to do that.

    i know you dont want to miss your 'slot'.

    lets know how you get on.

    someone told her that she can sue the NHS if it happens 3 times to you.

    but i dont suppose a lot of people know that.

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  • witchesmole
    witchesmole Country_Bumpkin

    Posted

    Hi

    So sorry to hear this. It is extremely frustrating my first op was cancelled after sitting for 7hrs in my lush white stockings and starving but hey cancelled twice is not good. When you decide which app to go for insist on being first on the list.

    Good luck

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  • patsybythesea
    patsybythesea Country_Bumpkin

    Posted

    Mine wasn't cancelled but while I was there our ward filled up with women with ectopic pregnancies and others with serious hemorrhaging and

    miscarriages so it's easy to see why our beds are cancelled at short notice.

    Sorry for you though lovely.

    Good advice re holidays though. I'd wait at least 3 months if you're having that level of surgery, personally. You'll want to enjoy yourself, and you may not be insured to travel, have you checked that?

    Just thinking about y our comfort hun xx

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  • Carolannfud
    Carolannfud Country_Bumpkin

    Posted

    That's disgusting! Shame your husband answered the call! smile. Re the holiday, my doctor advised me against flying for a while after the surgery but I had a hysterectomy. Apparently any abdominal surgery here is greater risk of DVT.
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  • maureen27126
    maureen27126 Country_Bumpkin

    Posted

    Same happened to me last August 2014.  Mine was cancelled on the Friday evening, op was due the following Monday.  They couldn't tell me how long i would need to wait.  I had got myself so worked up (took me years to decide to have op in first place).  I was very down and in October 2014 was approached by a new private hospital offering to do op under an NHS initiative to help with the bed crisis.  I jumped at the idea and was operated on by a professor.  Sadly though around about Christmas (8 1/2 weeks post op for anterior, posterior and perineum repair) things didn't seem right, a bulge so have been back to GP who tried to re-reffer back to surgeon who said no GP would need to refer back to NHS.  I have seen GP today and now have an appointment with NHS for 29th April to discuss my probs, things have prolapsed.  Really can't believe it, did all i was supposed to do / not to do.  Still will have to wait to find out what options i have now.  I said i wouldn't have another operation because the recovery was so painful and long.  So sorry for you, but like all other replies i think you might be better re-arranging your holiday or just go have a good time and have surgery after if you can function ok.  Best of luck.  
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    • Rhona62
      Rhona62 maureen27126

      Posted

      Hi Maureen,

      How awful, I know there is a high chance of prolapse reoccuring. I was referrred by my consultant to a Professor to do mine as he said there was more chance of long term success. Who was the Professor that did yours? It must feel so frustrating for you and like you say the recovery is so long and painful and they don't tell you about this beforehand. I had posterior repair and rectal plication done 4.5 weeks ago, I'm really just hoping it all stays in place. Let me know how you get on.

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    • maureen27126
      maureen27126 Rhona62

      Posted

      Hi Rhona

      Thanks so much for support.  I think i'm driving my family mad, although my kids are very supportive, more so than hubby, although he has been good, helped loads and still does he can never appreciate where i'm coming from and sometimes gets a bit annoyed with me as he says i'm being negative. I have considered this op for many years and seen different consultants and took the pluge, I think had it have re-prolapsed years from surgery i wouldn't be feeling so miserable.  I just want to get on with my life and not feel like an invalid.  Yes the medical staff should be very clear with the after.  I have to say that when i rest i feel better, but one of my passions is walking and that's when i'm more than conscious of bulge that wasn't there immediately and for around 8 1/2 post surgery.  I've no choice but to be positive and wait til i'm seen on 29th April, at least it will give me more time for improvements or otherwise.  The Professor's name was Ahmed and he is the director i believe of women's gynae in Medway Maritime Hospital, but as i said i had it done at a brand new private hospital paid for by the NHS to relieve waiting times on hospital.  Thanks again Rhona and this site does help.  I first found it a few weeks post surgery, even though my gp phew phew looking on the internet.  Take care and rest and relax where possible, i've read so many books since op.

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    • Rhona62
      Rhona62 maureen27126

      Posted

      No worries Maureen, I'm glad to be of some help. I can understand how low you must feel with this happening so soon. My hubby is brilliant and so supportive but I think it's a man thing, they just don't fully understand what we have to go through. Good luck on the 29th, let me know how you go on.

      Take care

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