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Surgery cancelled
I was scheduled for right mastectomy and auxiliary clearance this week after having seen surgeon the previous weeks ( 4 wks after bc diagnosis 9/2/15) and made the agonising decision to go ahead with the surgery to remove the 6.5 x 6 x 5.5 cm malignant mass. The days leading up to the surgery my husband and I mentally prepared for the permanent changes that were going to happen to my body. I cried, took a few snap shots, wept in my husbands arms when we thought this was going to be the last time we would be intimate with my two breasts! (Sorry I that's a bit too personal to anyone). I want to paint the picture of how much of a psychological impact this was. My sister took a week off work to be able to support me after surgery also.
So on the day of the surgery, I fasted, showered with the pre surgical scrub. Arrived at the hospital 6.30 in the morning (leaving home at 5.30am) as per our instructions. At 9.00am I was taken through and began the preparations for surgery, changed into the hospital gowns, and taken to the day ward to await being taken to theatre. My husband and I waited...and waited...and waited. They gave me an IV for fluids about 2.00pm after I told them I was feeling thirsty. I asked a couple of different nurses at times how much longer they thought it might be. Originally I was due to go through about 10.00am. I waited until 4.30 when a staff member came to advise me that I was last on the list and unfortunately my surgery was cancelled and would need to be rescheduled.
The surgeon came a little while later, and was so apologetic for the change. He told me he wanted to stay later to complete my surgery but that hospital protocol would not allow him to do so. He was very upset but could do nothing more about it. Because he only works at this hospital part time, I have to wait a whole fortnight to have my surgery. I walked out of the hospital shaken, traumatised and made to feel as though it was 'just a mastectomy - no big deal' by the general surgical staff.
Has anyone else ever had this happen to them? I have decided to lay an official complaint. I just wanted to vent tonight my frustration and deep disappointment. I feel they have not take into consideration the deep psychological impact a mastectomy has on woman. I don't want to think of any other breast surgery patient having to go through this unnecessary ordeal when bc is trauma enough on it own.
Frustrated - Linda N
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13 Replies
- Hi rowdy Thanks for your support. I will put it in writing. It is therapeutic for me to feel I have some power back for myself and also because it is a new hospital, I want to advocate for future BC surgery patients that they don't get dismissed quite so easily. Take care on your journey. LindaN x
- Hi Snazzy Hope your surgery has gone well for you yesterday. Thinking of you. Thanks for the support hun. Love Linda x
- Hi Michelle Thanks for your support and encouragement. It goes a long way to have your pain acknowledged. I will cope because I have to...I need to make that my motto. Love Linda xx
- Hi Paula Thanks for your response to my moaning! You are right that down the track it won't matter, even though right now it's all I can see ahead. That must have been so hard to have been post poned for 6 weeks...and then to have to reschedule due to your own ill health. I can see this is going to be a long battle and I need to get used to disappointments and long waits. Funny thing is, I'm a counsellor...and I'm struggling to keep myself 'up' with this. Hearing about others struggles and how they have come through is encouraging. Thanks for your support mate, means a lot. Linda xxx
I cant beleive they made you wait all day, i feel for you and your family. If you put a complaint in make sure it is in writing they have acknowledge when in writing.
Take care of yourself
Thanks Julia and everyone else for your kindness and support. I saw staff at Breast Cancer Clinic yesterday and they were very upset for me and disappointed about how everything unfolded. So...I will lay a complaint with the hospital as I don't want to think that this would happen to any other poor woman needing breast surgery. Then I'll just wait another 2 weeks for my turn back on the surgery ward. It was helpful to hear your stories, good luck with where you are at on your journey.
Linda xxx
- Hi Lindan, I know what you mean and how you feel. I turned up at the hospital around 7 for my operation, fasting no food or drink and had to sit in the waiting room until 4.30. I started to feel really faint and anxious. I was also told I was last on the list and they said someone should have told me to come in later. It must be 10 times worse to then be told go home! Julia
Just needing some info.
I had a mastectomy back in 2004 with chemo radiation, then had TramFlap reconstruction.
2010 had mastectomy on remaining breast more chemo and radiation.
I would like to know if other women have been in same situation and what type of reconstruction done on remaining breast as I can't have Tram Flap again. I have been told about Latissimus Dorsi but I am hoping for something less stressful as had horrible experiences with both surgeries. Has anyone had expander and implant after having radiation?
Dear Linda,
I'm so sorry this has happened to you! I'm scheduled for mastectomy tomorrow so I know exactly how you feel pre-surgery. I hope they have you first on the list for your new surgery date.
Lots of love
Snazzy
