I’m Midway through my pre op assessments - pick up voicemail which tells me not to come in for surgery tomorrow as no ICU beds. Beyond disappointed.
Surgery cancelled at Barts: I’m Midway... - British Heart Fou...
Surgery cancelled at Barts
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LadyPumpkinseed
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If you don't mind me asking, what surgery was planned?
Mitral valve repair
So sorry to hear this news. It's disappointing when you've got yourself geared up mentally for an op and then it's cancelled. Just have to accept that fate felt it wasn't the right time for you now. I had one booked for the 27th July, that was cancelled too - still waiting for new appointment.
Jean
That is a long wait. How are you feeling in yourself? I guess that with all that is going on now and Christmas acoming it will probably be the new year now. Not good. You are always so helpful to the rest of us and hope you have some good news soon.
Have either of you been advised as to safety whilst you wait?
No but I’m going to continue with online shopping and mask wearing and be ready when the call comes
So sorry to hear that. Well done for your positive attitude. Good luck. This wretched covid has so many ghastly ramifications.
Hi ladypumpkinseed. I was about to send you a good luck message today. I can't imagine the disappointment and frustration you feel, but it WILL work out fine eventually. Keep up the positive attitude.
All the best.
Thanks- I’m still sitting here at Barts having my pre op tests. ☹️
I wonder if someone has got their wires crossed, if you are still proceeding with pre-op assessments. Have you been down to the MDT room to see if there is a doctor you can ask? Or failing that, ask the nurse in charge to check it out, as it seems very odd.Thinking of you.
I rang the person who cancelled my op, she told me to continue doing tests so when date comes up I just need Covid test and mrsa swab again. That’s why I checked, My advanced practice nurse showed me Wednesday surgery screen and said no one’s on list so you must be first… Nope, sadly it’s a bed issue in ICU
That is good news isn’t it? Sounds as if they are doing their best for you. Problem might be finding somewhere for someone to go if they cannot send them home. Like being in a house buying chain only 100 times worse. Good luck
Sadly it’s a bed issue in ICU due to Covid overwhelming NHS.
in reply to LadyPumpkinseed
Does this mean the beds in ICU are actually not occupied only reserved for Covid patients who might, or not, come?
LadyPumpkinseed in reply to
I’ve no idea but I spoke to Barts this morning and my surgery won’t be before January, they’re working it all out on a daily basis .
Hi, just to say, stay positive, keep healthy and exercise when you can so you are ready when the call comes. Stay positive and take care, Judi
So sorry to read your post, it’s beyond disappointing. Because they have said to carry on with the pre op checks I would say it’s going to be sooner rather than later. Don’t unpack your hospital bag!
Best wishes Pauline
Hello 
I am so sorry , I cannot imagine how you must be feeling
This is happening such a lot now from what I read and the effect it is having on people is awful
I hope you get a new date very soon I have noticed that people seem to so fingers crossed and do let us know when you do get that new date x
A cancellation is the pits. I am so sorry for you.But maybe it is a short term postponement.
Let’s hope a slot appears then you will be done and dusted and at home for Christmas.
Good luck
Colin
Hi LadyPumpkinseed,
It's obviously disappointing to have the surgery cancelled, but, hopefully, you'll soon be back on track with another date arranged. Be positive as best you can.
Take care
Heed
You poor thing, so sorry for you. were you actually in the hospital? Wish you all the best to deal with it all. Be strong x
How far is it to return home?
I was lucky I was on the ward had my pre meds and antiseptic wash and was told I was 2nd down for my bypass. The surgery before mine had overrun so mine was cancelled (that was on the Wednesday.) No-one seemed to know what was happening to me and I was kept on the ward on the Thursday and on Thursday afternoon I was told I was first down on Friday which I was! It was touch and go as to whether I was going to be sent home but thank goodness they decided to go ahead on Friday, I don't know if someone else was bumped to accommodate me.
I hope you don't have to wait too long it is the mental and emotional preparation which is the worse!!
This is hard for you. I hope something as risk-free as possible turns up for you soon. This wretched epidemic is doing so much damage.
Sorry to hear your news. This happened to me twice, the second time while I was in a gown waiting. Fortunately it was third time lucky. I am sure the surgeon Is just as frustrated. Keep the faith. It will happen.
I just read your posts re cancellations- as you say, so much to put in place pre surgery. So glad it happened for you eventually! Where abouts is your hospital? I imagine this is happening all over, I’m in London
I had 5 cancellations in the summer. It is awful. Just awful. In the end I realised that the ICU bed was blocking it and that if I absolutely was in need it would happen. You will get that surgery. All I would say is any moment you feel unwell go to A & E. just go. Don’t bother with ambulance if you can. I will think of you. ❤️
Yes, I was told only last week by my hospital that the most likely reason for a cancellation will be lack of ICU bed.
So sorry i fully get “beyond disappointed” I can relate - I’m in tomorrow the Brompton and fearing every buzz on the phone in case it’s a cancellation - had my covid swab yesterday and was terrified I might have caught it !! Stumbling at the final hurdle - hang in there it will get done !! Keeping so many things crossed x ch
Hope it all went ahead for you, best wishes for your recovery
I totally get it. Thinking of you. It doesn’t happen until you are literally put to sleep.
I was actually sitting on the bed waiting to go down to theatre when they told me my cbgx3 was cancelled. It was done 10 days later
Really sorry to hear about the cancellation. I had two cancellations before I got in for my op. Thankfully Papworth were on the case and I got quite a bit of notice, certainly far more than you. I can understand how you feel, but hopefully you will be called in soon. Keep positive! It will happen! 😀
So sorry to read this. It’s so stressful going into hospital anyway and to have this happen is horrendous. Do hope you get sorted soon.
Tremendous sympathy. I had surgery cancelled once. I’d turned up at hospital with my bag only to be told there was no bed.
The only positive I can offer is that you are probably right at the top of the list so should hear fairly soon.
I know it’s impossible not to dwell on it but keep safe and I hope to hear better news soon xx
How long have you been waiting. Me from may 7th when my heart valve became an issue although I didn’t start to go into the system until July. And I’m going private !
I met surgeon in October and was put on waiting list with severe mitral valve regurgitation.
Dear LPseed,
I had my aorta replaced with an implant in August at the Brompton. I had no idea what an emotional storm it is to go through the uncertainty let alone the surgery itself. Nobody tells you that apart from the physical trauma there is a major emotional trial that is extremely testing. If someone had told me to prepare myself for the most extreme emotional swings I have ever known it may have helped as well as having someone to support me when I was left hanging not knowing what was happening or about to happen. I was left guessing.
When I was in my recovery ward I saw a man go through multiple nil by mouth preparations and cancellations he ended up silent angry and isolated. When I was pre op prepared for surgery there was a sudden consent issue and one of the team turned up in the aneathetic room with a clip board for me to sign! After surgery I was told that the surgical plan was abandoned half way through and I had a completely different surgery than I was expecting. In recovery my heart rate wnet up to about 190 for four hours. I was panicking.
In prepartion and seeing what others went through some worse than me... I would say that the thing that does work is to breath deep slow and calm, to ask relevant questions when you can, try not to get angry or hold on to resentment try to concentrate on being calm "go with the flow" recognise what you can do something about and what you can't. You will get through your surgery, you will recover and you will be healthy again.
The surgeons are making decisions for you which is really difficult to deal with sometimes. I really think we should have some volunteers like us who have been through it to go into wards and chat with people going through this major surgery. Sometimes patients are too mentally traumatised to speak some are angry some are crying inside. They need our support.
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful response. I absolutely agree as regards going with the flow. I’m a resilient woman and I know we’ll get there. I wish you well.
Hello LadyPumpkinseed.Such a blow for you but it's good you're staying positive.
My husband's quad bypass was canceled 4 times (he'd been through all the pre op checks and they were repeated each time the operation was supposed to go ahead.
On the fourth go, he was actually being wheeled to the operating room, when they turned the trolley round and he went back to the ward!!
On each of those occasions, I'd left hubby (2018) and driven back home (120 mile round trip).
Anyway, 5th time lucky and the only thing that kept him (and me) sane was that some other poor soul needed the ICU more than hubby did.
Keep positive and you'll soon be mended.
Sending love and virtual hugs.
Jan xxxx
Horrendous for you both! Glad it worked out eventually.
Well done for expressing how most of us feel. The other difficult thing post op is of course "The sorting of the pills..." Hating them yet knowing that they may be a life saver. I am nearly 6 months post mitral valve replacement etc, but not yet used to taking pills twice a day and often question whether they are necessary, because of some of the side effects. Still thats another subject......
Hi FF - what pills are needed after MV surgery? I assumed it was based on the individual’s needs..good for you questioning whether they’re necessary- I probably take a paracetamol once every 5 years!
well (I'm not a doctor! but...) usually an anti-coagulant , plus aspirin for at least a while, mine may be for ever as I developed AF, sadly. Also poss a diuretic for a while and maybe a blood pressure pill. I also take a beta blocker and a statin for cholesterol. You may not have all these and poss. not after a while.
I suppose the body changes after surgery, glad to say my cardiologist didn’t think diuretic necessary atm, BP has always been fine and cholesterol is ok. I’m an actor so beta blockers sound bad news!
We are all different, so I hope the best for youx
Thanks so much, you too, onward and upward…
Also got a long wired charger for my phone...v.useful
Me too - £29 John Lewis . Opened it up - I ordered the wrong sort and it won’t fit my 20W iPhone charger. Can’t return it. This is what happens when you’re trying to get everything sorted with v little notice!
I only had a blood pressure pill before op, and never needed the socks as my ankles/legs did not swell up. Only wore them the day after op
I saw your post and it made me think of what happened to me and perhaps can put a different perspective on it. I’m sorry that’s you’ve been hugely disappointed as you’ve got yourself all mentally prepared for it … it makes you wonder how can they Not have a bed for you in ICU when it’s all planned out. You’re only meant to need an ICU bed for 48hrs.
It’s good that you’re carrying on with all your assessments as you’ll be called to attend very soon so good luck x
You’ve made me realise that I must of delayed a lot of surgeries as I was in held sedation in ICU for 6 weeks 😬
Gosh, Im sorry to hear that, I hope you’re fully recovered now. I’m afraid Covid has put the nhs into a spin.
I had exactly the same experience at Barts. Took an additional four months wait before I got a phone call saying "Can you come in tomorrow?"
When was this? I’m about to ring the advanced practice nurse re isolating and whether I would get 2 weeks notice next time.
Spoke to Barts, no surgery for me before January and things are changing on a daily basis - sounds like they’re may juggling everything .
Perhaps don' climb any hills til after the op. I think we have the same thing, my Mitral valve was serious, but I elected to wait until my daughter had had her baby, not wanting to put extra strain on her. So I waited nearly a year. But I am OK. And so is baby. It was a good decision for me but also a risk. But there are always risks. Take it easy, its good to share our thoughts....
How wonderful to have a grandchild, congratulations
Last year. My surgery was cancelled in, I think, April because of a Covid wave. I was eventually given another appointment in August but got a phone call a week earlier saying come in now. I was already isolating, so that wasn't an issue. I guess, with Omricon now in the pipeline, you'll have to wait and see how many people are hospitalised with that.
Thank you, wishing you all the best.
Can't imagine how you feel. Must be overwhelming. Please use all the shoulders you need to cope with this development. 💞
Thank you x Unfortunately no - I had lots of complications and further surgeries the same day so I’m looking at a 2 year recovery ❤️🩹… in-fact I’m coming up to my first year anniversary from when I got home which was the 23rd of December last year.
From where I was then to where I am now … I’ve come an awfully long way (thankfully 😃)
xx
I can only say how sorry I am for you, getting all mentally ready only to be put off is horrible. Sending you best wishes hoping you get your op. Soon.
I am so sorry, hope you get your surgery very soon. I know its hard as you build yourself up for it, for it not then to happen is awful. Good luck forbit to be soon x
What is happening now?
No surgery before January at the earliest.
Right. At least you know where you are and can wrap up warmly with a good book or watch all the wonderful things that are on TV around Christmas without being tempted to go out and about too much.
So sorry to hear that LP. I got taken to A&E emergency the other week with a suspected strangulated femoral hernia. Luckily I got the op. Hope you get it as soon as possible 💗💗
Thank you, we’re just hunkering down over Xmas to stay safe, 2 in our daughters household have Covid so we’re not even seeing her .
Hi there - mine too was cancelled. Blood test done, in the hospital waiting with 3 others for bed allocation when a very apologetic nurse came to tell me there was someone too poorly to go home so I would have to go home. Then she came back and said they were really trying to find a bed, then a definite no. It must be so hard juggling everything but the the emotional ups and downs of this - wow!On the plus side I got to speak to others who were sharing their stories, could see I could take a bigger bag with me - no visitors allowed for a week unless critical due to Covid, and that they are really trying their best. I have round 2 booked for next Thursday which I am very grateful for so we will see if I get a bed this time. If it is any concillation I feel calmer now as I am a bit better informed.
Best wishes
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