Rant about appointment

[GeorgiaMC]

Hi,

I need to rant somewhere because since Wednesday I’ve been fuming at my consultant!

On Wednesday I went to the hospital, all geared up for a lap. Boyfriend with me, FIL driving us to and from the hospital, I had forewarned work that I might not be in after.

(For context, my last appointment was scary and the consultant was prepared to send me a lap that day. He called it an ‘emergency laparoscopy’. It was due to the size of the cysts on both ovaries and the pain I was in but I had no one with me to take me to or from the hospital)

I was in pain again at this next visit. We sat and discussed a few things, some questions but not what I wanted exactly. The consultant asked if I had discussed what I option I wanted to take out of the 3 he had given me for possible ways to decrease the size of the cysts, I said yes, and then he says ‘okay i’ll schedule you in for a lap in 12 weeks. The appointment is now over’...

I burst in to tears. Whilst he never said I was having a lap I had my heart set on it. I’ve had this pain for 5 years and if I hadn’t been so stupid I could’ve had it 4 weeks ago!! I’ve finally had a period this month so I’m extra hormonal and pained. The consultant didn’t discuss my 3 options, he didn’t ask if I wanted children. Now it looks like I have to have my lap for late October and suffer the next 12 weeks. I’m in pain most days which pain killers, including those prescribed, don’t touch! I can be literally be bent over at work in pain, holding back tears and screams because I don’t want to take another sick day.

I feel foolish. I told my manager at work about the appointment, she came away with two positives for me:

1) I might hit my target weight at slimming world before Christmas (made me laugh)

2) I could be out of action for Christmas at work, which would be ideal as it’s Food retail. No rest for the wicked here!

Anyone have advice of what I can do? My mother wants to come 250 miles for my next appointment to shout at the consultant (not helpful but she won’t take no for an answer. She’s stubborn). A friend at work suggested I could get the consultants email address (if possible) and ask my questions to see if I get a response. It was mainly for pain management, changes in diet, length of time needed off work, freezing my eggs, etc.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks so much for reading.

[Chrysta123]

Hi,

Sorry to hear you are having to go through all this. I would suggest 2 things:

1 - have you considered going private? As it would be done much quicker (if you can afford it)

2 - try and get hold of the consultants assistant or whatever they are called rather than the consultant (I was told they are much easier to get hold of) and just explain you have more questions that need answered and are really struggling and they can maybe see if you can get a cancellation or something or at least maybe advise you on how best to get your questions answered

I know its a complete headache though when I was put on the list I had to wait 5 months before I got my lap done and then my 6 week follow up (my op was 1st March but I was readmitted a week later for a post op infection) turned into a 5 month wait as well! (now due to see them mid August) but sadly that is just the NHS 😕

Good luck x