"Fail after fail surgical procedures"

Since early last year I’ve been suffering from a TOP, the surgery was a failure at Busselton hospital and I feel the clinic I had to go through couldn’t have cared less. It seemed they just took my money and basically forgot about me, no follow ups no calls nothing. I advised them of the issue and all they said was oh there was no help at all.

I then went through Bunbury regional emergency department the first visit was amazing the care spot on and referrals etc happened quickly. 

Surgery was done at a private hospital within 72 hours. I had complications after surgery and ended up back in surgery 6 weeks later. Unfortunately an emergency arose and I had no other option but the leave due to the time of night and having children to care for. Surgery was rescheduled and went ahead without a hitch.

Fast forward I’ve been back and forwards for ultrasound my body has been invaded more times and I feel I’ve been belittled and bullied because I didn’t want to be in the situation I was in for personal reasons, mentally this has taken a toll on me.

My gp referred me to my surgeon again I finally got an appointment in late last year and we picked a surgery date (intended to be earlier this week).

Between the time of my appointment to the intended surgery date I’ve been organising my life so I can be mentally prepared for the surgery. Due to the nature of the surgery I wasn’t allowed to do it privately because it’s against their beliefs so I’ve had to go in as a public patient, something I was stressing about.

I have 4 children I had to organise and get care for. I had people take time off work to take me and pick me up as well as care for me and the children after surgery. I arrived at Bunbury regional day surgery at 12 noon got put into the waiting room till 3pm and then got brought through to a bed. At 4.30 the registrar came in and spoke to me letting me know my surgery was not going ahead and someone will contact me when they can schedule me in next.

I broke down in tears the registrar was so lovely and caring and 1 nurse comforted me also but mentally I was broken, I’d be fasting since midnight the (well 9pm when I went to bed) I’ve struggled for so long with my personal issue I was glad it was almost over only to be pushed back once more the toll it has taken on my mental health now is massive and I feel like the public health system is a failure and knowing I have no other option in Bunbury but to go through the public system has me stressed out that it could happen again. I wasted time of the people who took time off work to help me I lost time getting my children ready for school tomorrow and worst of all I mentally can’t handle the let down or the health issue much more. I was right there and now I feel like a 10 steps backwards again.

I believe that something needs to be done and more consideration and thoughts need to happen for patients and what they do leading up to surgery because when situations like this happen it’s no wonder some people show rage and have outburst it take a toll on us. Have a good look at the scheduling of surgeries because because it’s not working doctors are under extreme pressure and time frame to make these unrealistic timetables work because I believe some big man who sits behind a desk tells them that’s how it goes and to bad to sad. While doctors feel bad for almost failing a patient the patient them self are mentally broken I myself have now witnessed first hand how seemingly disgusting and bad the public system is and I’m dreading having to go back in and wait again.