How do I handle this?

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MaryToU
MaryToU Member Posts: 28
edited January 2017 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Today was suppose to be the day that I have my mastectomy. Everything was a set, all lab work done and preregistration at the hospital finished. Already took one dose of the antibiotics that they wanted me to take the day before. Had someone to take the dog in for two day, we were to be at the hospital at 5:30am. Then my doctor called at 6:30 at night. There was a problem with some of the equipment at the hospital, and they had to cancel the surgery.

I think I was OK with this, or I thought I was. One more day to get things finished, and what not. But it is now 3 pm and I still haven't gotten a call with the new date. I guess I kind of thought it would be switched to Friday. Now I am just sitting around waiting, and I am not a good waiter, for a phone call. And all of a sudden, a feeling of hopelessness is coming in with all this waiting. My sister is flying in next Wednesday to help out, she is a nurse. What if I don't have the surgery by then. I guess we will just have some good old sister time.

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited January 2017

    You were diagnosed at the beginning of October and still haven't had surgery to remove the tumor. Unless you were doing chemo this seems too long.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited January 2017

    Mary, that is really rotten - I can't imagine having to get myself psyched up to go through that a 2nd time. :(

    However, since you've not had a call back and you do have time considerations of your own, this is the time to take the bull by the horns and take care of your needs. Call the surgeon's office TODAY and raise the question. You deserve to know what the scoop is. (They may not have an answer yet but at least it will keep you on their radar.)

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  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited January 2017

    Exactly...call and find out. Can he schedule you somewhere else on your insurance? Is the hospital borrowing equipment to get back on schedule? All good questions you can ask

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2017

    Yes, I think you should call the doc's office. Sometimes those machines take hours to fix and sometimes they have to order parts, but if you are in a big city there are usually several machines that can back up. Keep in mind that if they had to cancel you, they probably had to scrub everyone scheduled for the whole day. But definitely try to get a committment.

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  • Michelle_in_cornland
    Michelle_in_cornland Member Posts: 1,689
    edited January 2017

    Don't worry, it will get worked out. But, be proactive. My Zoladex shot for tomorrow, which had been planned for one month, got put on hold until next week. The insurance company had to approve it. It is either Zoladex or ditching the ovaries/uterus/other stuff because I am not menopausal and I need to take an AI. Ugh....wait, wait, and wait some more.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited January 2017

    I think the important thing here is to keep reminding the surgeon's office that you are waiting. Be the squeaky wheel. Even if that's not your style, go for it. Otherwise you may find yourself at the end of a long line of others waiting for surgery. Asking about another facility is a good idea, too. Just don't let them drag it out any longer than it has to.

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  • MaryToU
    MaryToU Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2017

    Some of the long wait is my fault, we had a trip to Germany already planned for after Thanksgiving. We were back by December 12. Then there was the doctors holiday vacation planned. But I was ready to have it done, and I must admit I am not good at being the squeaky wheel. Also my plastic surgeon is going on vacation Monday. So I have all that going on, along with my son and husband bitching to me about how this is all bullshit. I really don't need people on the home front bitching at me about it. Not like I can do much about it, and bitching at the doctor and his staff is not going to make it any better. I don't want to be bitching or bitched at by anyone.

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  • Kimm992
    Kimm992 Member Posts: 135
    edited January 2017

    I think there's a difference between being "bitchy" and being persistent.

    This is your life...I would definitely be calling the doctor and reminding them you're waiting...and if they don't get back to you within a reasonable time frame...call and remind them you are waiting again. Be nice but be persistent...you are worth it!

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2017

    I agree with Kimm992--it's okay to be assertive.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2017

    yes, you need to be assertive. Call daily... Twice daily, and remind them eachbtimevthstvthey canceled this. Also inquire about other doctors and facilities; that does tend to speed things up abit.

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  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited January 2017

    Your family must be "bitchy" because they are worried about you getting cancelled. Sorry that is adding to your stress

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