Kate's Journey

Kate_fixing_it

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

MP enquiry or ministerial enquiry. You can email them directly. You can also go the freedom of information request. I would be asking what criteria were used to inform the prioritisation of someone else's treatment over yours. I would set out the adverse impact that the delay is having and ask how a duty of care to you, the patient, is being discharged. I agree that fighting the system is daunting but there are a lot of people earning a lot more than you who can be more easily heard. Email a chronology to one of them NOW and ask for them to investigate.

Thank you xxx You have me fired up now! I'm far too tightly wound to sleep so I'll get straight on that. DH has made sure I've eaten and he's being lovely.

Will post back as I know more. I just cannot grasp what kind of "emergency" has 5 days notice!

Kate x

brummiebabe

Hi Kate.....have read through your diary over the last few days...you're doing so well!!

Just a thought....but maybe the surgeon has to take emergency leave and that's what they've had to cancel?

Keep at it & stay positive!;)

Kate_fixing_it

Hi all,

Sort of success here. It took THIRTY phone calls but I have a date. Three weeks from today. I'm still not happy and I will continue to press this.

Turns out that the surgeon himself cancelled two operations because he saw a patient he thought was more urgent - ok I get that - BUT it seems my notes are "abridged". There is no mention that I've seen a total of 8 doctors since I left Devon, no mention of the CRPS or the fact that it's worsening, no mention that 6 of those doctors missed it and they don't even say I'm taking painkillers regularly

The cancellation letter arrived today, ironically stating "unforseen circumstances" as the cancellation reason, after the voice message states "emergency". I have requested a call back from the big man himself but nothing has materialised as yet.

Child benefit has finally arrived in my account, two days later than I was advised but it's here so at least I have some money now and I can clear the itty bitty credit card (one debt down )

This latest hiccup has brought DH and I closer. We're off out together for a couple of hours while the teens babysit - if ever a few beers were needed its now!

So not a great result but at least a result and there's still hope to improve things. I just need to get through the next three weeks...one day at a time and I'll get there.

Kate x

beanielou

Sorry to hear this.
Surely work wont start legal action.
It is hardly your fault.

Glad you now have a new date.

in_need_of_direction

Glad you're feeling more positive. If the delay helps things with you and OH, it may be worth it. Having had various health issues over past 5 years, I stopped any alcohol consumption. While I don't miss it, I do miss the heading to the pub for a few drinks with OH. Enjoy your kick back time

Skinnylatte

Thirty phone calls :eek: Go you

Kate_fixing_it

Over a week since I posted and quite a change in perspective. Whilst it's not unimportant the debt has been wiped from my mind.

After a lovely day on Good Friday the ongoing vague stomach cramps and backache worsened. Having had a few "bad debt" days I thought it was stress and a bit of an unbalanced diet. It worsened until I spent the whole of Monday curled up in a ball of pain. Still thinking it was stress related I took myself off to the GP (miraculously getting a same day appointment). Half an hour later I was sent to A&E

24 hours of morphine, buscopan, antibiotics, and IV fluids and painkillers later the decision was made that I have a kidney infection. Fortunately it wasn't appendicitis or gall stones as first suspected but my god I've never known pain like it - and I've given bitth four times! I managed to beg my way out of a second night on the ward provided I return immediately if things worsen and I'm on complete rest and shed loads of drugs.

I've hugely improved already but still can't eat much (one slice of toast is too much andcauses pain) and iI'm certainly not fit to drive or work. In fact having been awake since 9am this is the most I've managed since getting back home. Getting dressed is too much effort. I've been really lucky to have such wonderful nursing staff in my children, as DH had to be in London for two days but he came home in the evenings and is at home today.

All said and done the debt really doesn't seem to matter. I just don't have the room in my head to think about it. It's only now that I'm starting to feel a little better that it's crossed my mind. On the bright side I don't need to think about it. All the work is done, SC payments begin on 10th May and the creditor that hadn't called spoke to my mum while I was in hospital. Apparently they called three times in 2 hours and as she was waiting at my house with the kids for news from the hospital they were told to stop calling and get off the line, though probably not so politely

Bit of good news from Mr Postie today, tesco bank have issued a default already no mention of interest stopping but I wasn't paying any before this so I'll keep an eye on it. They've cancelled the card and accepted the repayment plan so we're on the road. Such a relief that I can just live now.

And I've saved the best for last. Today is payday. Salary has gone in correctly (yay!) and for the first time in too many years there was money left for it to be added to! Admittedly it is there for annual expenses (car stuff, emergency fund, etc) but for nearly 6 weeks now I have had a current account in the black, constantly. I have found myself just staring at the online statement and grinning like a fool.

Who knew I could feel this good about my finances

Kate x

Chrisblue1962

Get well soon kate

Lily_rose_2

Hope you get better soon - at least things are all up & running so that you don't have to worry about the debts whilst you're recovering!

beanielou

Hope you are on the mend really soon