Grade 4 rectal prolapse.

As Marydoll and *Elegran have pointed out, it isn’t only the cost of surgery but pre and post consultations which bump up total costs.

The negative side for soop having to rely on NHS is suffering for so, so much longer compared to the treatment which is desperately needed now which can only be rectified by going down the private route.

Such a sad sign of the times.

I know, GSM I do feel a wee bit uncomfortable, but many heads are better than one.
Trying to sound realistic, rather than negative.

I feel like I’m gossiping behind soop’s back. I hope she doesn’t see it as anything other than a discussion where we’re all in the same room with soop, throwing our thoughts in.

Maybe the follow up consultations are included in the £25k Marydoll? (She said hopefully…)

I understand that, soop.

Dear Baggs, if we should fall short of the target, no matter by how much, we would not wish to keep the donations. We are about to research further options.

Elegran

You could put any surplus into a separate account, to be used for things like further treatment, medication, physiotherapy, convalescence, and so on. I doubt if the surgery itself will be the end of the spending!

soop, you know elegran is right on this, but if you and MrS really feel you can't keep any money, should there be any, that's left over after the operation, then donate it to a suitable charity to help someone else.

People WANT to help you get the operation you need. My dad used to say "God loves a grateful receiver."

Soop you could state that any left-over funds would be donated to a charity. Perhaps there’s a stoma support charity or maybe something like a Colitis and Crohns charity.

My friend has twice had private surgery at Ross Hall. It wasn't only the eye watering cost for the original surgery, but the cost of the follow up appointments, that broke the bank.

AS Elegran says, you will need more than the original £25,000.

soop, I took the liberty of googling Ross Hall and I see one of their colorectal consultants, Mr Chong, also has an NHS practice. I wonder if he might be able to help you on the NHS without a long wait?

soop what *Elegran said!

And, when you are sure that you need no more money, you could donate the remainder to a suitable charity. I presume you could specify this in your 'proposal'.

Soop, first I have no problems with private medicine, having worked as a nurse in a major private hospital for many years.

I'm wondering how you chose this surgeon. In all my years I've never come across an eminent surgeon who is 100% private unless of course, as is often the case, they are newly-retired from the NHS.

Surgeons gain their experience, prestige and reputation by virtue of their links to the NHS, the university, research, published papers, etc.

I'm not casting aspersions on your chosen surgeon as I don't know who he is, but would urge caution before you spend £25,000, an enormous sum.

You could put any surplus into a separate account, to be used for things like further treatment, medication, physiotherapy, convalescence, and so on. I doubt if the surgery itself will be the end of the spending!

soop

Marmite The surgeon is 100% private.

As said above, you could explain to him that you can't possibly go ahead at this cost, and ask him for advice about another surgeon who would take you on on the NHS. Worth a try.

hugs

But what a tragedy that the NHS has come to that, truly.

Don’t be amazed soop. You are cared for as a good friend to so many. As regards the crowdfunding, I don’t think any of us or anyone else reading about your awful situation would expect donations to be returned. Please, please go ahead. You have so many friends on GN who want the chance to help you.

Marmite The surgeon is 100% private.

I am amazed that you good ladies continue to support me.

Kali2

We went through the process of setting up a crowd funding thingy and were on the brink of sharing it with any kind person who may be willing to participate. It was then that we noted any funds raised (short of the hoped for total) were ours to retain. No way! We cannot proceed unless any donations, short of what we require, can be returned to the donor.

Another day. Another challenge. We will look into other fund raising sites. It will keep us out of mischief. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

soop the consultant you trust only does private work- could you ring his secretary and ask her if she will ask him if there is anybody on the NHS he would/could recommend.

If you go to your GP to ask for a referral it is much better to have a named consultant. Your GP I am sure will mention the urgency and calls to the new consultant's secretary from yourself will not go amiss.

I do not think you should ring 999 unless there is a genuine need such as haemorrhaging.

As I mentioned previously it is the hidden costs if anything goes wrong which worries me after the £25,000 or even £30,000 is spent.

Soop, I am so so sorry to hear you are battling with this situation. I have been trying to avoid this thread as it sounds just so awful.

Just read it to OH, who is also a retired GP, and he is appalled to hear, again, what is happening to the NHS he dedicated his life to.

I wish I could have an anwer for you, but all I can send is sympathy and hugs - not that either will really help.

Of course no-one would 'blame' you for going private- but it is SOOOOO wrong that you, and 1000s like you, will feel they have NO option. And tragically, and it makes me so angry, beyond angry, the waiting lists are designed to have that effect exactly. I know you have a wicked sense of humour, so I shall say it 'privatisation' by the 'back door' - and it is just terrible.

So many people are in so much pain, that they feel there is no choice, but to go private, to the point of losing all their savings, getttin into debt again, re-mortaging the house, etc. Just disgusting.

Sending love.

He doesn't do NHS work, Marmite.

Marmite I may be wrong but I think soop said that the surgeon who operated on her recently only does private work.

Soop I've been reading this thread and feel so sorry/angry about your situatio.
when i was desperate for my hernia ops. we decided to go private as I was way down on theNHS listt. I rang the surgeon's private rooms and the secretary said he would ring back later. Which he did.
i described the problem but he said not to go private unless i had private insurance and there could be expensive complications.However he said he would put me as urgent on his own NHS list. I had the op. a month later!
However this was before the current NHS situation. And a much simpler op. but still £10,000.
So It might be worth making a personal appeal to the sugeon. if you can get hold of him/her.

You continue to be very much in my thoughts Soop. Hoping for the best for you.

Please let us know when you have set up the crowdfunding and how to donate. I’m sure many of us will want to contribute.
In the meantime if I win the lottery I’ll be in touch.
All the very best to you x

Virtual hugs for every one of you. Your support helps me no end.