Pre-Surgery Question

[Eve]

Had a call from the hospital last Thursday about my operation they said was scheduled for Wednesday (yesterday).

Hadn't even received any letter about it but after initially getting excited they said they had to cancel it as pre-op (the previous Thursday) had only just told them something, a week later, and I need to be referred to immunology first for more tests to see if they are ok for me to have the op (bloody better be!).

So instead of being all done yesterday I'm still waiting for immunology to get in touch, not a great time to get a date for anything with the Christmas/New Year break I guess.

I'm not sure what they need to see more for, I had some bloods taken at the pre-op and an ECG done and a latex allergy blood test.

Is this usual to have a general referral to see them before an op or could something have shown up maybe?

I also got a call back for some more bloods at GPs as my liver blood tests showed up something on my immunosuppressant blood screening - wondering if that's the gallstones though causing it somehow or the immunosuppressants.

My GP is off until 9th Jan so can't ask her and wondered if anyone on here has has to go to immunology before an op and what they do and how long it tends to take to get an appointment and op after...really hoping its not long.

Arghhhhhh!

[Zacs-Master]

Jenna, Mrs Zacs will be home in a while and should know the answer. If Sqad (or someone) hasn't answered I'll get some info.

[Eve]

Thank you, that'd be great, I'm very grateful.

I can't do anything about the delay but it'd help to at least know why.

[Sqad]

The gallstones MIGHT affect your liber function tests, but that would have shown up in previous blood tests .Sorry that's it from me as it could be a multitude of reasons.....over to Mrs Zac ;-)

[Eve]

Thanks Sqad :) The gallstones have never shown up in them before, never been told anything has anyway, and have had quite a few done with the immunosuppressant bloods since I've been suffering with them. Dammit, thought that was an easy answer one. Got my repeat liver tests this coming week so hopefully it will be behaving by then.

Hope you're doing ok and are on the mend now.

[Eve]

Ooh something's gone wierd with my avatar! Where's my little cat?

One thing that also sprung to mind was that during my pre-op the nurse said that there is usually a sheet in the notes with what they need to ask/go through, but there wasn't one in mine, maybe something from that.

I swear my notes are jinxed! I know it's a big hospital but their admin often leaves a lot to be desired after a number of screw ups they've made.

[bednobs]

if you're anything like me, they'll need a trolley just to wheel around yur notes :)

[Eve]

Ahhh :) Not quite but they are getting heftier!

One of the nurses left them near my bed when I was in hospital last time before a doctor came to see me.

I was having a sneaky look - wanted to see if the ultrasound scan was in there with the gallstones to see what they look like but just a letter saying I had them so was looking at some pretty pictures of my insides from I assume pillcam/camera up/down but the nurses said I had to put them away before the doctor appeared as he wouldn't like it and I didn't want to cause any trouble! Mind you my insides look a lot more boring than I thought they would be!

[Eve]

Well, finally got fed up enough this morning to ring immunology. She said that I have been referred but surgery had only sent my details through, no details of the referral so she would have to chase them. Said she couldn't understand why they'd cancelled the op and didn't they offer an option like latex free surgery...argh!!! Apparently their waiting list is 10 weeks!

She said to ring surgery and ask why they cancelled my op and referred me and my pre-op nurse rang me back to say my allergy tests from the blood they took were quite high on a number of things which can indicate a reaction to anaesthetic, one of the highest was cats apparently!

Pointed out I've had no problems with surgery in the past and have two cats but she said I have to go via immunology as apparently the anaesthetist wasn't happy and it was him who said I had to be referred.

She is also waiting for him to come back on other things as I might need an anesthetic referral too.

She did say that immunology had been in touch within that time though (seems it was the manager who had picked up the phone when I rang!) and they now have the full referral info and are trying to get me an appointment asap. At least now I know why and that the delay is likely to be quite a while longer, a little information goes a long way.

Better to be safe than sorry but here's hoping for an op sometime this decade!