Last March my gallbladder op was abandoned as I was found to have extensive adhesions and it was too risky to continue. Cancer was suspected and thankfully ruled out after scans, but it was determined I needed a specialist surgeon.
I was put back on the waiting list and kept chasing for a date but found the waiting list team extremely unhelpful and I got the brush-off each time I rang. Bearing in mind that the NHS app said an average of 22 weeks wait and I was way past that when I started chasing. All they would say is ‘we can’t tell you how long you’ll wait as the list changes all the time’.
Eventually, last August I was sent a pre-op form to fill in on-line. However there were computer problems, which meant my files went missing and I didn’t actually have the pre-op until mid-Dec.
Last week, I got a call to say my surgery was scheduled for this Monday. I attended the admissions unit where they started to carry out the pre-operative checks, but when the surgeon arrived he told me my op had to be cancelled as I’d been scheduled on the wrong list. Basically he didn’t have the expertise to do it.
Everyone was very apologetic (without admitting any fault) and said they’d rearrange asap.
Mt daughter works in the same hospital and the correct surgeon (consultant) is a colleague. She bumped into him in the corridor yesterday and he asked if I had a new date and said they’d get it sorted.
I know it’s only been a couple of days, but no one’s been in touch yet. I’m obviously quite anxious about all this and am sitting here waiting for a phone call yet again.
I honestly wouldn’t have minded if it had been cancelled for a more urgent case or staff shortages, but it was because no one noticed my file said ‘consultant only’
I’m just sick and tired of it all to be honest and just wondered if anyone had a view on what to do next.
