Hi Pulisa, thanks for replying. I really want to tell myself that (and sometimes I do), but the problem is there's been so many mistakes and misunderstandings throughout the whole process since I was referred back in November, that I've pretty much lost all trust in the NHS, so I'm not
entirely convinced that if they say there's nothing wrong, there really
is nothing wrong.
BikerMatt - thanks too, and sorry you and your mum have had to suffer similar problems too. It's not just the delays that annoy me - it's the complete and utter indifference and often downright rudeness from people who should treat a worried patient like you or me, a little bit kinder. I will see if I can contact PALS, thanks for the info.
If I was in the care of a team of professionals I could actually trust, I wouldn't be worrying so much. But the reason I can't trust them, is this:
1. The consultant who referred me at the beginning of November told me it would be done urgently.
2. I rang the hospital in mid-December having heard nothing, only to be told that it
hadn't been referred as urgent and it could be any time up until end of January.
3. End of January came and went and I rang again and was told it should be soon and I didn't need a pre-op assessment because it would be done under local anaesthetic.
4. A couple of days later I got a letter for an appointment... for a pre-op assessment! The hospital told me I needed it because it will be a general anaesthetic.
5. I was told I would be able to go home the evening of the surgery day (something very important to me as I'm terrified of hospitals and of sleeping in a room full of strangers).
6. On the day of the assessment when I got to Day Surgery the consultant told me I would need to stay in overnight after all, because of my chronic illness. Even though they'd previously told me that
despite that illness, I'd still be able to go home the same day. That got me into such a panic I was crying and freaking out when they came to take me to theatre.
7. Finally after the assessment, when I was recovering, a doctor came round and told me the results would be 2-3 weeks.
8. After 3 weeks I rang as I hadn't heard anything, only to be told that the results actually take 4 weeks.
To be honest it wouldn't surprise me if I was finally told that they'd lost my test results. That's how little I have faith in them right now.
So I really am fed up of all the confusion and misinformation, this whole thing has been a nightmare and a shambles and I'm not even near the end of it yet (because regardless of test results I know I will need a fairly major operation).
I think I have a right to be annoyed, you know?
(smiley face added to make it clear I'm not ranting at any of you dear readers)