Six week post surgical discharge appointment

[Pefki]

Just trying to lock in the six week appointment but the only time they can offer is exactly when I explained I would be sitting my university exam. Can someone tell me what this appointment entails. How long it takes, what tests are performed etc. Had mechanical aortic valve and aorta replaced. Thanks

[1234_6]

Hi Pefki

Unfortunately I can't answer what your surgery follow up appointment would entail.

I just thought I'd suggest that you try & speak to the University to ask if it might be possible for you to sit / take the examination/s "this year at a different time for medical reasons" due to needing a follow up appointment after having had heart surgery.

[ You may need to explain to Uni that this not like a GP appointment, but is part of your operation treatment - so should be treated by Uni as if you were still in hospital - as you are still in recovery from the operation / surgery ]

(I assume Uni know that you've been in for surgery recently & / or that you can show them Surgery lnfo & follow up appointment letter )

Uni would just need to arrange someone to invildulate (for the exam papers) & sit in with you while you take the exam & you'd probably end up sitting the exam in a room on your own (or with a few others) with the invigilator, & maybe in a different location, or even in with others who are taking a different exam to you, & it might also mean you sit the exam slightly eariler than usual.

Historically Uni used to be able to arrange to do this - I just don't know if they still do - Just thought it might be worth you asking.

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Uni might also offer to let you deferr your examination to "next year" but this means you waiting for a whole year & perhaps hzving to pay more fees & having to resit the same classes / course work .... which is NOT what you want.

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Well done for continuing to study while you have been ill and for working towards still sitting the examinations.

Uni is important & expensive, but your health and looking after you is important too. So please take care.

Good luck.

[Captain_Birdseye in reply to 1234_6]

Just came to offer the same advice - there is usually a resit period over the summer as well, I remember a friend of mine doing her final year exams during resit time because she was having a baby during the main exam season. They didn't usually offer this to final year students but made an exception given the circumstances.

It was different papers she got to the rest of us.

Good luck to you!

[Pefki in reply to Captain_Birdseye]

Unfortunately, LSE does not allow exams to be deferred for another time during summer, it would mean January and I have worked my butt off and calculated that I would be able to sit these 2 exams 6 and 8 June based on my surgical date. Ofcourse my health is important but this has been my focus to help me recover with this goal in mind.

[Chappychap]

Hello Pefki, my follow up appointment after bypass surgery was a futile box ticking exercise where a junior registrar and I spent ten minutes exchanging polite pleasantries.

Maybe yours will be a meatier experience, but instead of changing your exam dates I'd be more focussed on changing the hospital appointment date.

I'd explain the situation on the phone, and if they're still unreasonably inflexible I'd ask them for the contact details of PALS (Patient Advice And Liaison Service). PALS seem to have a lot more leverage than an individual patient, and there are plenty of accounts on this forum of obdurate hospital staff suddenly becoming more accommodating once PALS enters the discussion.

Good luck, and doubly so as you're at LSE as we may well have sat the same exams! Seriously, I'm full of admiration for someone who has maintained their studies during a challenging medical interlude, that takes real grit so I salute your determination and wish your every success!

[Pefki in reply to Chappychap]

😊🤞

[Anon2023]

h. My “appointment” after mitral valve replacement was a two minute telephone call from my surgeon. I would contact your surgeons secretary directly and try and negotiate moving the appointment. The secretary’s manage the surgeons diary and have a lot of influence. Well done on maintaining your studies through illness, it shows a lot of determination and commitment. I wish you luck in your exams.

[Larneybuds]

Good morning.....I have to agree with chappychap.....try PALS......they were brilliant in my case and a couple of other people I know....or try the consultants secretary.....explain your situation and see if the appointment can get changed. Having worked in education well done for continuing your studies but I also know the complexities around exam times for some students. Good luck and I hope you get sorted x

[Fullofheart]

Wow, seriously! What an achievement to be sitting your exams after that. If the hospital and/ or uni can't show some flexibility here given what you've been through then I give up! (Speaking as someone who works for a health board and two universities).

You've done all the hard work. Im sure one or both can meet you half way. Though tbh I would probably have encouraged you to take a postponement from your studies to concentrate on getting well. I'd be worried about you pressuring yourself now. Though totally get the desire to "crack on" as a fellow hearty.

Good luck in your exams. I think you've already aced it, by just being there. Don't put pressure on yourself to be 100%. Do what you can. And hopefully the hospital will offer another appointment. 🤞🏻

[Cat04]

If you contact the appointment office they can reschedule your appt. Or contact the medical secretary. I'm 4½ months post op AVR and still waiting for my follow up appt so can't advise what it will involve!

Good luck in your exam.

[Sewingpumpkin]

I also think rescheduling the appointment rather than trying to fit in with the exam is the best way forward.

My follow up after CABG at Harefield involved scans, X-rays and then a two hour wait to finally see a registrar because the surgeons were carrying out emergency surgery. You don’t need that sort of pressure before your exam.

All the best for your finals 🙂

[Pefki in reply to Sewingpumpkin]

Yes. Thankyou. I know I've taken on quite a bit all together. I'd like the appointment over and done with to just focus on exams. I have communicated with my specialist nurse at the hospital. Don't want to sound tone deaf because I am appreciative of all that has been done for me very quickly. Feel like I'm being annoying. I know that a scan is involved but there was some talk that I could do that separately to the cardiologist appointment. The cardiologist who wants to see me, seems to only see patients on Thursday mornings. That means patients need to be booked in well in advance with such a small window of opportunity. Hoping I get an answer soon, also to advise my boss whether I can return to work safely.

[Qualipop in reply to Pefki]

Speak directly to the cardiologist's secretary and explain the situation. It's a waste of time just ringing the booking centre.

[Hidden]

Hi, I can only speak from my experience. Whether its Cardiologists/Surgeons, I've always spoken directly with their Secretaries re- changing appts. I've always found them more then helpful, as they effectively own and run the schedules. Done it twice this year to date.

With regards to the appt itself I've found them low key unless there's a perceived problem from either side, probably a chat and examination, but, unlikely to have any tests.

An Echo further down the line so a further appt on the cards.

Best wishes

[Pefki in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for this great advice. Came to the hospital and straight to the secretary. They are squeezing me in today although I'll need to sit and wait most of the day which I am totally ok with. What a relief because now I can actually focus on my exams and not think of the appointments. If I'm given the all clear, my grandfather in Athens is quite unwell with recent cardiac problems out of the blue, and I'd like to see him ASAP. He is 88.

[1234_6]

Good luck with trying to reschedule the appointment and with the exams. You have done so well in keeping studying. I Hooe all goes OK.

[Pefki in reply to 1234_6]

Thankyou

[1234_6]

Hi Pefki(1) Glad you got seen by the Cadilologists (as per your response to Heedi061 above).

(2) I hope that all went well and that they were able to confirm that you are recovering nicely.

(3) I hope Granpa in Athens is doing ok.

(4) I hope that you have been able to, or will be able to get to see him soon.

(5) I wish you all the best for your exams - which I think are this week and next week. Good luck

Take care.

[Pefki in reply to 1234_6]

I appreciate your concern and following up. I am flying to Athens on Friday, straight after my last uni exam on Thursday. Apart from my grandfather, my sister is waiting to see me and several friends and relatives. I have also started cardiac rehab and second session tomorrow. The rest will be virtual from Greece while I am there. The cardiologist was pleased with my recovery and assured me that I will feel even better and stronger as the days progress. She cleared me for travel, swimming and anything else I want to do. Basically told me not to panic too much about INR as most patients are only about 75% of the time within range. Finally got the GP pharmacist to call me back after several attempts and after advising them 2 weeks ago of my intention to travel after my 6 week check and thankfully, will pick up a big supply of warfarin tomorrow.

[1234_6 in reply to Pefki]

Well good luck with the exams, safe journey to Greece & I hope that you have a wonderful catching-up time with family and friends as that in-itself will assist your ongoing recovery. Take care.