RANT - Cutbacks!

lexislove

I'm pissed.

I had my mastectomy in March 2008, tissue expander placed. I wanted to wait untill I was finished ALL my treatment and to feel good before my exchange surgery. I visited my plastic surgeon in August before I left for my vacation.

We planned for the first week of November and they told me to call them when I returned for my surgery date.

Well.....I called the other day and his receptionist said that there have been cutbacks and my surgery won't be happening till the new year ...most likely SPRING!

Are you kidding me?

I have had my te expander for 18 months coming and I want it out. Its not painfull, but its getting uncomfortable. I'm so dissapointed. I never thought I'd be a cut back victim.

<sigh>

I told the reception to put me down on the last minute list, incase theres a cancellation.

Thats it. Had to rant.

Leah_S

Bummer.

Mantra

Seems odd. I know that surgeries that require overnight hospital stays are being cutback. But in your case, it sounds like the surgeon is actually having his own OR time cutback. Just seems weird, although who knows, I'm not at that step yet and perhaps it is my normal than I think. I guess I would just dig a little deeper to get a better understanding as to the full reason behind being bumped for so many months.

leggo

I agree with Mantra. Sounds like the surgeon's choice, not so much an OR cutback. Maybe he's heading south for the winter   Here in Sask we have the biggest shortage of OR time in Canada and nobody has had to wait that long for that type of surgery.  Can you pick another surgeon perhaps? On the plus side, there are sooooo many cancellations....maybe you'll get lucky.

lisa39

Ditto the previous two posts.. I would dig deeper and raise a bit of a stink.  Call back and tell them this delay is unacceptable.  You've had your expanders for 18 months and you've been told your ordeal is ending in November.  They can't suddenly delay your surgery for months!  This sounds like one of those occasions when you have to be your own advocate.  Call back and tell them you've been thinking about this delay and that you find it unacceptable.  Tell them you'll contact the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and you'll be speaking to your MP - and whoever else can advocate for you!  You pay for this service (through your taxes) and you are entitled to it! 

lexislove

Thanks everyone!

Im going to see my onc this week and I will mention this to him as well. Maybe he can help make a "stink" as well.

It is unacceptable....I wanted it out next month so I can heal before the holidays, and come the new year go back to work part time.

This whole thing would just throw off my plans.

I will let you all know what happens.

BTW...if anyone is B.C., lower mainland to be exact let me know if you have heard anything about these suppose cutbacks,

She

Lexis, I was a victim of cutbacks.  I was dx in April, biopsy in June and had to wait until Sep for bilat mast/DIEP.  They cut back from 2 to 1 DIEP's per month over the summer.  I had to fight to get a single surgery date.  I was offered a lump in Aug followed by bilat mast/diep in Sep.  I knew if I went that route I could be bumped in Sep (for up to 2 years) because I wouldn't have cancer any more.  I was also offered out-of-province but that would have been very expensive and no support network.  It really sux when you have to fight for yourself in the midst of dealing with cancer.  PM me if you want details .... Lisa's ideas are good, but they didn't work for me.  Your MP may request you sign a waiver before even talking to you.  Not acceptable in my books...

Haven't you noticed all the gov't cutbacks to programs everywhere in BC in the last couple of months?  Surgeries in the valley are hugely cut back.  Isn't it odd that they're all happening just a few months before the 'event' we're about to have our freedom of speech taken away for..... 

lexislove

She,

Thanks for your post. I have NOT noticed all the cut back because I just returned 5 days ago from being in Europe for the last 2 months!!!!

She

Every day at noon last week there was an hour-long live breast cancer chat via a big local newspaper.  I went on the first day and asked the CEO of the cancer agency why some doctors tell their BC patients they're cured when there is No Cure, only NED (no evidence of disease).  Her answer was that individual doctors had their own way of dealing with patients.  After all, why would they want a BC patient to be worried for the rest of her life.  WHAT????? Lie to patients so they don't worry?  I'm speechless.  This is the only cancer agency.  How on earth can I trust anything they say when they openly support lying to BC patients? 

She

Lexis, they've cut everything, programs for kids with autism, surgeries, seniors programs, reading programs, the list goes on and on. 

She

PS  Welcome home ... sorry you arrived in the midst of this mess.