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Post by gemstone on Feb 2, 2011 14:59:39 GMT -5
Yep, using it pretty much every other day. It is still brilliant, I don't know what's happened this month with my pain, just seems to have super kicked off. My bowel problems are getting worse though and I know it's the endo - I called the hospital today for an update on the scan I have to have where the guy who does them was on long term sick if you recall?
Well, he's back now but on a 'gradual return to work'. There are apparently 8 people in front of me plus any urgent cases, but they have no time-scale available as to when I will be seen, just to call back in a month if I haven't heard anything. I just want the scan so I can go on the lap waiting list and have something to work towards.
Have they sorted your surgery yet?
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Post by hellsbells on Feb 2, 2011 15:43:19 GMT -5
You're not already on the lap waiting list??? OMG you need to get on it.
I have to wait for a letter giving me a new date :-(
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Post by cherry on Feb 2, 2011 15:56:56 GMT -5
I agree with Helen. The lap needs to be booked anyway and if necessary you can be taken back in with this bowel specialist on board. You need a diagnosis and a way forward.
Helen I called to chase an appointment that had to be rebooked today, I don't see any reason why it won't be ok to call your hosp appointment line and see if they've got a date lined up for you.
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Post by gemstone on Feb 2, 2011 16:17:53 GMT -5
Wait for another letter??! I agree with Cherry, call and nicely bug them. They won't put me on the waiting list until I've had the scan as that will determine what team I need for the lap, I assume whether or not I need a colostomy bag dictates this. I did ask to stay on it but they wouldn't let me  |
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Post by hellsbells on Feb 2, 2011 16:37:11 GMT -5
Ughh how annoying, that's just wrong.
I'm happy not to know for a few days. If I've heard nothing by the end of this week I'll probably call on Monday x
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Post by pretty on Feb 2, 2011 16:39:15 GMT -5
OK, now I'm getting VERY pissed off. THis type of backwards medical care is going to be one of those things where I am SURE that if a manager or director knew about it you would be in there STAT. OK, so you need to be seen by the bowel scan guy, who is sick, and your endo is so bad you CANNOT WORK, and you are about to LOSE YOUR JOB, and the one thing that can help you is a lap, then someone needs to raise a little hell, and get you on the emergency list for the scan, so you can get on a list for the damn lap. Honestly, who can we enlist here? If it was me I'd spend some time screaming, yelling and possibly take myself to the ER and just park my ass there for a while, until you get some freaking ATTENTION. Gem you're just like me, don't want to make a fuss, don't want to make waves, and meanwhile you're getting more and more ill and I am WORRIED now. Please, take the rest of the day off, and get down to the ER, and make someone pay attention. Like, this sh!t is painful, it's not your fault the bowel scan guy is sick, there should be someone to back him up in that case, and honestly, he has a boss somewhere who knows how to scan you too, why isnt THAT guy involved? Sorry to rant. I'm just hating watching you get pushed around. Dammit&*(%(&^(*&^()!!! love you gem  |
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Post by cherry on Feb 2, 2011 16:52:30 GMT -5
That's fair Hels, other stuff going on! Let us know when you know.
And Gem, I agree with Pretty including all expletives. You might have to back down in the fight with work but start kicking down doors regarding your health. You go through an horrific time every month and it already takes about 6-12 weeks to get a lap from the date they decide to book. A diagnostic lap is all you're asking for right now. Start kicking up a fuss and going to the ER. Maybe they'll take this seriously. I'd be sh*tting my brains out with worry over the symptoms you suffer with. I just wish they would listen to you, because we for sure know that it can't wait...
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Post by gemstone on Feb 2, 2011 16:53:19 GMT -5
Thank you Pretty! Wow, I think I need some of your energy. I'm just so fed up with work and all the crap I don't have any fight left, which isn't like me at all. I will give it a week and then contact them again and ask to be referred elsewhere. I'm speaking to a secretary all the time which isn't helping but I really don't know what to do - I might try my GP again as he was good when I went a couple of weeks ago. Sorry, I'm being pretty lame at the moment.
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Post by cherry on Feb 2, 2011 17:10:53 GMT -5
Hey you're not being lame you're putting up with a lot of crap on all sides! In honesty I'm surprised you didn't throw your hands up earlier. Take a few days off from giving a sh*t, write down a list of your symptoms past and present, how they've progressed over what timescale, and see this great GP of yours.
He can refer you elsewhere. He can find you a second best option bowel specialist.
And really, how your symptoms aren't an urgent case for a GI cam is beyond me.
Ladies please never apologise for being lame. Have a rest, regroup, then go kick some doors down. This disease needs some bench time on occasion. We fight a monthly onslaught, a general effect on our health, financial worries, ignorance and sometimes downright refusal to understand from everyone including our nearest and dearest, and constant damn uncertainty. We all want to fire each other up to keep fighting but we'd never judge each other for being 'lame' right? Love you guys.
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Post by gemstone on Feb 2, 2011 17:26:05 GMT -5
Aw, Cherry and everyone, you're all so good to me! I need to start fighting again! I'm having a chilled weekend this weekend and am going to get together a plan of action. The whole thing with work has got to me a lot more than I've let on to the people closest to me, but I've had enough time to wallow, now to kick some ass!! I need you guys, thank you for being there |
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Post by hellsbells on Feb 2, 2011 17:35:14 GMT -5
Always xx
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Post by Karen on Feb 2, 2011 18:02:08 GMT -5
Due to the snow day, I decided to do my taxes this year. If you have medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, you can deduct the difference. Depressingly, I exceeded that amount this year of out of pocket expenses... Dr. visit copays, coinsurance, deductibles, etc.
@#)$&)@#$()*)*@#()$*()@*#$)(@#*($, that's a lot of money!
The good news, though, is that I checked on the IRS website and I can deduct supplements that my doctor directs me to use for treatment of a specific medical condition, so that means all the pricey supplements she sells me for specific issues can be deducted, too! (Check out the IRS website for full details if you have questions on this.)
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Post by pretty on Feb 2, 2011 18:15:58 GMT -5
Gem, Cherry, hells, all of you have kicked my butt, told me when to calm down, and when to get up and fight. I love you all. I wish I could wander in to your ER and be a huge loudmouthed annoying american pain in the ass, not be polite, not be patient, and not be fair, just to rattle the cages a bit. Honestly this is one time in life where behaving properly is NOT going to get us anywhere, and I've learned that one again and again this year. Sometimes hearing about what others are going through just gets me so fvcking p1ssed off OMG! it's not right (I know I'm naive but can't help it)
anyhow, sometimes optimism and faith are my touchstones, but SOMETIMES, being a royal b1tch is my saving grace. So, back to faith and optimism (being a b1tch is confusing lol)
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Post by cherry on Feb 3, 2011 7:35:23 GMT -5
Karen I'm glad that you found something that can be offset through all your medical expenses, and it's great of you to post up here to let everyone else get the benefit too!
I agree Pretty there are times when you have to let yourself off, and there are times to get out there and hurt someone's feeling for your own sake. I'm going to do that later today! And again, you guys all remind when to fight and when to give myself a break, love youuu!
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Post by gemstone on Feb 3, 2011 7:49:35 GMT -5
OK - I called the hospital ready to kick some a**!!! I have been told the following - the scan I need is apparently specialist (rectal endoscopic ultrasound scan) and this man is the only man in the UK who can perform the scan. They have searched the UK for someone else to perform it for the patients waiting but although it sounds like other surgeons can perform it they actually can't. My uncle has a condition and has 'contacts' in the NHS so is going to do dome research for me as I do find it hard to believe that only one person in the whole of the UK can do this. So, at least I have a better idea of what's going on, although from what she was saying, he really is the only one!!! So thank you for motivating me guys, I wouldn't have made that call without you!!!! Love you all |
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