You've Got to be Kidding

[mipagan]

At approximately noon today, my surgeon's office left a message for me to call them back. Fearing something was wrong with my bloodwork, I called them back nearly immediately, to be told they have an emergency, and as a result they are pushing my surgery back to NEXT Thursday, May 19th.

I am so angry and emotional and upset, you would not believe it. Of course, I feel bad for the emergency, but I don't understand why I must wait an entire week. How about Friday? Or Monday? If this is such an emergency, shouldn't surgery take place immediately, like today? Apparently for my surgery, the OR is only available for adult CHD surgery once a week (on Thursdays, obviously) but I think that is ridiculous, and if you have to push me back, you should find another time and space for me.

What makes this doubly awful is that I've already been rescheduled once, way back in March. The secretary actually told me I was lucky that the OR was available next week, otherwise I'd have to wait till July. Yea, if I had to wait to July, I wouldn't be able to get this surgery for another year at least. I took off 6 weeks of work, I actually just got a brand new job and have been telling my new boss I'd be back sooner than the 6 weeks if at all possible, my mother took off some time to stay with me, SO much has been scheduled around this. I'm so pissed.

And of course, I just needed this over. I cannot be doing nothing for a whole week - all I've been doing is thinking and focusing on this and it's so bad, but that's what happens when you have nothing else to do. I'm debating going and staying with my boyfriend for a few days, but even there I'll have nothing to do while he's working except THINK. God, this is awful.

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS.

 

[geebee]

I know you are angry and frustrated but it won't change anything. At least it's only a week.

In the interim, try to take some more time for you. Go to the movies (yes, by yourself - it's actually fun), go driving nowhere in particular, spend time with family.

Who knows, maybe your surgeon was going to have a bad day and God decided to give you a break.

Try to enjoy the extra time but vent away - that's what we're here for.

 

[PJmomrunner]

That really stinks, Mipagan!

That really stinks, Mipagan!

Don't you almost envy the poor person who "get's to" have (your) surgery tomorrow without the "pleasure" of having agonized over it for months, weeks, or maybe even days...???

 

[Mary]

Boy, I can tell you're upset, and I would be too.
However, we've had members who've had the same thing happen to them.
I think they tried to think of it as a short-term reprieve and found some place to go and wait it out.
I'm sure this is not what you're wanting to hear, but this is just one of those curves in the road that you're going to have to deal with.
Hang in there.

 

[tobagotwo]

Go to someplace that makes you happy, or that you find beautiful. Waiting is the hardest part, and they've just extended yours.

It's hard not to, but try not to focus on it, try to lose yourself in something else.

Best wishes,

 

[Nancy]

It's surely understandable to be upset, when you have all of your plans set. It can happen unfortunately, as many can attest to.

One of the most difficult things is trying to schedule open heart surgery, get an operating room, get a day that is good for the surgeon and the anesthesiologist (who are highly specialized), get the rest of the team scheduled. Hospitals book the rooms far in advance. Emergencies always have precedence. Sometimes people who have already had surgery have to go back in for re-operation. It might even be a car accident or something like that.

And open heart surgeries can take a longer amount of time than other surgeries, which just adds to the mix.

One of the most difficult things for Joe's last surgery was to have compatible blood available. They did not want him to go into his third surgery without extra blood on hand. And he has weird blood (why does that not surprise me). There is one man in the area of Rochester, NY who has blood which can be used for Joe. Several times, they've had to have it transported by taxi to the Albany NY area. We didn't know until very late in the evening before the day of surgery if it was a go, or no go. It did work out.

It's just not something that is an easy deal. It's a BIG time super PIA to reschedule for the surgeon also, but mostly for the person in his office that has to get everything together again.

Sorry it had to happen to you, shouldn't happen to anyone, but it does.

Keep coming here and we'll try to get you through the week.

Take care.

 

[Gemma]

A similar thing happened to Jim, except we were at the hospital when we were told! The reason there was that there weren't enough free beds in ICU, and a couple of non-urgent cases were postponed. He ended up waiting another week and a half.
In the end, after the initial anger/annoyance had subsided, we got pretty philosophical about it - we'd seen the "urgent" cases and were grateful Jim was in a position where he could wait a while. And somehow I don't think either he, myself or his parents were really ready for it the first time.
Go and stay with your boyfriend and find something relaxing and fun to do. I'm sure he'll want to spoil you .
Gemma.

 

[bvdr]

I know how angry you must be (I probably would be too) but try to let it go. I really think sometimes these things are "rearranged" in our lives for a specific unknown reason that we would actually be thankful for if we could see the reason. I hope this week ends up being one for you that creates happy memories.

 

[CCRN]

No Kidding

No Kidding

At approximately noon today, my surgeon's office left a message for me to call them back. Fearing something was wrong with my bloodwork, I called them back nearly immediately, to be told they have an emergency, and as a result they are pushing my surgery back to NEXT Thursday, May 19th.

I am so angry and emotional and upset, you would not believe it. Of course, I feel bad for the emergency, but I don't understand why I must wait an entire week. How about Friday? Or Monday? If this is such an emergency, shouldn't surgery take place immediately, like today? Apparently for my surgery, the OR is only available for adult CHD surgery once a week (on Thursdays, obviously) but I think that is ridiculous, and if you have to push me back, you should find another time and space for me.

What makes this doubly awful is that I've already been rescheduled once, way back in March. The secretary actually told me I was lucky that the OR was available next week, otherwise I'd have to wait till July. Yea, if I had to wait to July, I wouldn't be able to get this surgery for another year at least. I took off 6 weeks of work, I actually just got a brand new job and have been telling my new boss I'd be back sooner than the 6 weeks if at all possible, my mother took off some time to stay with me, SO much has been scheduled around this. I'm so pissed.

And of course, I just needed this over. I cannot be doing nothing for a whole week - all I've been doing is thinking and focusing on this and it's so bad, but that's what happens when you have nothing else to do. I'm debating going and staying with my boyfriend for a few days, but even there I'll have nothing to do while he's working except THINK. God, this is awful.

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS.

Hello,

I work in OHS and, as I am in the waiting room too, I understand your being upset about this but it's really a good thing you've been rescheduled. We often get emergencies that back the schedule up and our surgeons work long hours. It's a responsible, caring physician that made a judgement call to be sure you get the care you need. I am sad to say how many times I've heard
"Oh no.....I had to reschedule this patient once already". Often times I hear this after a surgeon has been up all night and half the next day with an emergency. Unfortunately, you're probably not the only patient that's had to be rescheduled due to the same emergency. I would be very upset too and you are justified to be put out. I know how emotionaly draining these things are.

Go spend some quality time with your boyfriend and be assured you will get the care you need and deserve. If you're like me you'd probably like to take a fast run around the block to get the frustration out of your system BUT your physician has restricted your activity to where all you can do is sit and fume. So fume with all of us.

Take care and remember everybody is thinking of your right here. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[Ross]

I know how angry you must be (I probably would be too) but try to let it go. I really think sometimes these things are "rearranged" in our lives for a specific unknown reason that we would actually be thankful for if we could see the reason. I hope this week ends up being one for you that creates happy memories.

This is so very true! Don't let it bother you. It will happen when it's supposed to happen and in due time. We do not know why, but there are reasons for these things beyond our comprehension. I say this from experience, as it has happened to me as well. Because it did, I'm alive where otherwise, I may not have made it!

 

[Guest]

I know how angry you must be (I probably would be too) but try to let it go. I really think sometimes these things are "rearranged" in our lives for a specific unknown reason that we would actually be thankful for if we could see the reason.

*nods*

I agree.

So, please relax ... the more relaxed/happier/positive you are ... the better you will be!


Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 31swm/pig valve/pacemaker
'72,6,9/'81,7.hobbies.chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
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"We got mountains to climb" ... Rod Stewart ... 'Broken Arrow'

 

[KMB]

This happened to me as well a couple weeks ago, but mine only got pushed back a couple of days. It's like you have your mind so set on the day and you've told all your friends and your work and finally, you are ready. I was also in tears, I wondered if they thought about my wellbeing, but I am sure it is all done for a good reason. Good luck and try to keep your mind on positive things!

 

[catwoman]

I know how disappointed you are -- having been able to prepare yourself mentally for being in surgery this week, being home next week, etc., having arranged everyone else's schedules around your needs. However, remember what everyone else has said. I think CCRN has some excellent comments, since she works in OHS.

 

[Barry]

... I cannot be doing nothing for a whole week - all I've been doing is thinking and focusing on this and it's so bad, but that's what happens when you have nothing else to do. ...

I landed in the hospital in congestive heart failure and had to stay there for over two weeks awaiting an empty bed at the hospital that was to do the valve replacement. Two weeks to do nothing but think...

Good news is that by the time the day of the operation arrived I had so flamed out on obsessing and worrying that I was quite bored with the whole thing and the only real sentiment I had as I was being rolled into the OR was wanting to get it over. Hopefully you'll get as bored with worrying as I did.