Lung volume reduction

[Tonyagm]

Hi I'm Tony. I have stage 3 emphysema and met the criteria for a lung volume reduction operation back in November 2019. I haven't heard anything since because of covid. I feel like I have been forgotten about and seem to be getting worse. I have rang appointments and they just tell me they will send a message to my specialists cecratary. Any ideas as what to do would be appreciated.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I managed to get all my tests done, but have now been told I have to do them all again as some are outdated. It's a case of waiting until I get my appointment for each test. PI just try to keep exercing and eating healthy and staying positive. Have a good day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxx

[Tonyagm in reply to Damon1864]

I hope my test results don't go out of date because I felt like some of the tests nearly killed me last year. Oh and thanks for the advice.

[skischool in reply to Tonyagm]

i am afraid your tests are probably already out of date,the normal criteria adopted by consultants seems to be anything longer than a 3 month delays between tests and the procedure usually dictates a retest,i imagine like myself you will need to undergo another ct scan and lung function test,this is because we can decondition quite rapidly although at stage 3 you may have more leeway than someone like myself at stage 4+

i don't mean to be a doom and gloom merchant but there are good reasons why tests need to be redone and they are to ensure you are still a suitable candidate and that it will be safe to proceed.

[Hacienda]

Hi Tony, You Could Phone the Secretary yourself, That is what they are there for. My Consultant's Secretary is very Helpful, if I have to leave a Message, she gets back to me. it alleviates the queue wanting to talk to the consultant. Give her/him a Try. Never say No. Good Luck . Stay Safe. xxx C.

[Tonyagm in reply to Hacienda]

Thanks for the advice. I will try and get in touch next week.

[Bevvy]

Suggest you contact PALS at the hospital. They access people that you can’t. Well worth contacting them and explaining your situation.

[Tonyagm in reply to Bevvy]

Thanks for that. I have heard of them and completely forgotten about them. Thanks again for the reminder.

[Will57]

The tests are extremely important not only to see if you qualify but the risk assessment undergoing the anesthetic as I was told I had a 6% chance of not surviving but smiled and thanked them for telling me I had a 94% of surviving which then we all smiled. All I can say is that I had tests in middle December then caught pneumonia (again) over the new year but they carried out the operation in early February.

Because of Covid I feel sorry for many sufferers who are awaiting help.

[Kristicats]

Ask to be put through to the secretary. She will find out from the consultant.

[oldbulldog123clock]

Tony, This old Bulldog lives in Texas, and we have a different type of health care for those over 65, it is called Medicare, and even certain Doctors who claim to accept Medicare patients, have young staffs that look at you like their thinking "you haven't died yet, bearded old man" Not all of them but about 1/3rd of them act this way. I have two solutions that have worked for me, 1, I go to their office and politely ask why my last 4 voice mails have not been returned, so I am going to stand here until I get an answer and I am sorry if my presence appear intimidating (I am extra large) but I am not leaving your counter until someone responds. My second solution is to erupt (my wife doesn't approve of this method but it is effective), example I was taking one of my part time 78 year old employees who had lung cancer and blood cancer to his specialist office and when I asked for a nurse, for a wheel chair for assistance getting him out of my truck, she reminded me he was a Medicaid patient (a lower form of Medicare) etc and I was asking a lot. I proceeded to erupt, reminded her of her bosses Hippocratic oath and go ahead and call the police as I am sure the public will want to hear about the lack of concern shown by this office etc. She thought I had lost control, reality was, I was acting but it got her boss out of his office and my friend got the needed attention. As I helped get him out of my truck, he quietly said, "no broken glass, no police cruisers you must have sweet talked them" my response was, something like that. My point to you Tony, if you are poor or old we must be assertive and aggressive to get the health care we are entitled to. Our American Republican Political Party doesn't think we are entitled to any, fortunately there is an election in a few weeks! Good luck to you Sir in the future.