Wasted Day

I was referred to see a surgeon by my Psych in August 2006. I was eventually seen by him early April this year and after a successful consultation, he said I would be suitable for surgery.
I asked how long I should expect to wait and was told anything up to six months. Apparently, this is a target set by the Government.
I enquired about a cancellation appointment and asked to be kept in mind if one came up. Arranging a few weeks off my work at a weeks notice wouldn't be a problem.

Spring came and went and at the end of July, I was starting to think about the 6 month target. It felt that long since I had been at the initial consultation!

'Hello, I'm due to have an operation in your surgery and wondered if you could tell me when I should expect to hear of an appointment date, as it's getting close to the 6 month target?'

'What kind of surgery would this be?'

'Breast Augmentation. I met the surgeon earlier in the year.'

'Well I'm sorry to tell you, but BA is classed as cosmetic surgery and doesn't fall under the guidelines. I don't think I can help you at the moment. They are very bus..'

I didn't let her finish the sentence.

'I appreciate they are busy and I appreciate that there are other patients with a real need for surgery, but I don't see this operation as being cosmetic for me. I've been waiting for just over four years to have this done and have spent all Summer, coming home from work and going straight to my letterbox, in the hope that the letter would be there.'

'What is your name and date of birth?'

She went silent for a minute or so, then came back on the phone.

'You saw the surgeon on April 4, so the six month deadline for you is October 4'

'Thank you. I thught it might have been earlier than that, but that sounds about right. I just really want to get this over and done with.'

'Well, you should be getting word soon.'

We exchanged pleasantries and finished the call.
I was pleased that she had talked about the 6 month thing, cause this meant she wasn't seeing my op as just a simple cosmetic thing.
I did feel that I had rubbed her up the wrong way for saying so though.

Almost two months later, I got the letter. Two days ago to be precise.

I was to attend a pre-clinic on the Thursday and go under the knife on Tuesday the following week. Great, I thought.
I'd be in and out in 7 days. No big long wait and I'd be all healed up for Christmas and the New Year.

So, I went today.

After about an hour of waiting, I was given a load of forms to fill out and sign. I waited another hour and was then seen by the nurse. She soon told me that the hold up was due to a mix up with the registrar. I'd been booked in, but the surgeon that I was supposed to see was at another hospital and they were trying to find out if another surgeon could see me. She also mentioned that they didn't know what the stocks were and that they may have to order them in, which would delay the date for the following Tuesday.
I could tell straight away that it wasn't going to happen, so I asked her straight.

'It's not going to happen on Tuesday, is it? I'd rather you told me now, so I am not getting my hopes up over the weekend.'

'Look, we're trying to arrange something before you leave. We're trying to get in touch with the surgeon at the other hospital. If we can get him, we hope to arrange a meeting on Monday afternoon to measure you up and determine sizes. The Admissions Manager cannot apoligise enough for what has happened'

I was raging, but tried not to show it, although I wouldn't let her convince me that anything 'miraculous' was going to happen in the next few days and kept telling her so.

I was seen by a young female doctor, who asked me more questions and carried out more tests on my body. After giving a urine sample, I was free to go.

'Now. We will be in touch tomorrow to tell you what we can manage. Hopefully we can get you back on Monday and operate on the following day. At the worst, it will be soon.'

'I don't think that is going to happen though. How long is soon? A month? Next year sometime?'

'No, no, no! We should be seeing you in the next few weeks. Really'

'Okay. Thanks for your time. Bye.'


So that was that.

Back to waiting......The End is on hold AGAIN!

Grrrr.

The End?

I finally have a provisional date for Breast Augmentation surgery. Next Tuesday! Yay!!

After nearly ten years, my journey is almost complete.

I'll be 'C'ing the surgeon tomorrow to talk sizes, but I've not really thought about it much. I'll just wait and C what he thinks.