I've Been Bumped Three Days Before Surgery...

[cmp]

 

Got a call this afternoon that my neurotologist (Dr McKenna) has been called away on a family emergency, so I've been bumped from my surgery next Monday (6/2). The neuro's office says this is very unusual for him, so of course I'm hoping everything's OK! They won't be able to reschedule me till they can get in touch with him again, and aren't certain exactly when that will be though they hope it's soon, so for now it's waiting in limbo...

I'm a bit confused emotionally, to say the least--a combination of relieved that I can put off the unpleasantness a little longer, and VERY frustrated that the painstaking preparations and scheduling of the past few weeks are totally up in the air now and may have to be completely redone (plus some arrangements that depended on friends'/family members' schedules may be fouled up beyond recovery, grrr...)

So keep your fingers crossed I get a new date (as well as one that's not too far off) pronto!

[leapyrtwins]

cmp -

this is very frustrating, but it sounds like the doctor has a very legitimate reason for cancelling.   You wouldn't want him performing your surgery if his mind was elsewhere and I'm certain he'd feel the same way.

I hope you are able to reschedule your surgery soon and that your post op plans fall into place.

Keeping my fingers crossed,

Jan

 

[Jim Scott]

Cmp:

I'm sorry to learn of your surgery postponement.  I've been there - and as a person who hates scheduling changes once I've settled on a date for something important (such as AN surgery) I can completely understand and relate to your frustration.  Of course, I hope the 'family emergency' that took Dr. McKenna away from the operating room will be quickly resolved and you'll be back on track.  Meanwhile, do the best you can to put it out of your mind and just live your normal life.  I'm sure you'll have a new surgery date, soon.  We'll be crossing fingers in your behalf (which makes eating difficult - but only if you take it too literally).    Stay positive.

Jim

[cmp]

You wouldn't want him performing your surgery if his mind was elsewhere and I'm certain he'd feel the same way.

Absolutely! Plus Dr McKenna is a true mensch, so I really do hope everything is OK with him...

The virtue of knowing my date a month beforehand, though, was that I was able to get very very organized in an effort to minimize the impact my recovery would have on my mother/kids/husband, as well as to line up resources, support, etc. It's a bit disconcerting to realize I'm going to have to give up on the fantasy of a perfectly micromanaged unknown and trust that winging it will work...

[wendysig]

cmp -

Sorry to hear you've been bumped, especially so close to your surgery date!  Sometimes the best layed plans fall apart at the last minute.  It think it's something that everyone probably fears and hopes won't happen.  Hang in there and try not to stress out too much.  Sometimes things like this end up working out for the best.  Hope everything with your doc is okay and you get your new date soon.

Best wishes,

Wendy

[Debbi]

Oh, that just bites.  I know how unsettled I was having the date move around, but at least mine didn't change the week before.  I hope that they are able to get you back on the surgical calendar quickly - even though it doesn't really help in terms of all the plans you're made.  Makes you just want to scream, doesn't it?  Heck, it makes ME want to scream on your behalf.  Keep us posted, okay?  And, I'll keep fingers crossed.

Debbi

[oHIo]

cmp
Waiting is by far the hardest part.  When you are emotionally geared to go ahead with surgery, having it cancelled at the last moment would be so difficult. 

I had made my decision to have surgery and was ready to have it done.  When the doctors couldn't get their schedules lined up for 2 1/2 months, I thought the wait would drive me crazy.  If they had had to reschedule, I don't know what I would have done.  (Probably cleaned more since I do that when I am anxious  )

Know that we are thinking of you and hope that you are rescheduled soon so the wait is not torture.

[cmp]

Thanks all for the supportive words, and for commiserating! (I didn't realize I was in such august company, Jim and Debbi...  )

And you're right, Wendy--I think having surgery postponed at the last minute has definitely been in that little "what if?" corner in the back of my mind all along. Guess I should be thankful I didn't actually show up at the hospital at cockcrow on Monday before getting bumped...

Now I just have to turn the adrenaline switch off somehow and try to enjoy the gift of some unanticipated shore leave... 

[sgerrard]

Hi Carrie,

That's too bad, I'm sure it is a disappointment. i think Dr. McKenna owes you a free upgrade to the deluxe surgery. 

Hopefully they will be able to reschedule you soon. I guess you have a little warm up time now, to practice being patient.

Steve

[Kaybo]

Carrie~
Wonder what that upgrade Steve was talking about would include...maybe a HAND-KNITTED HAT?? 

I hadn't really thought about it for a while but I guess I got bumped too, but it wasn't because of the Dr.'s schedule - I got strep throat the Friday before I was supposed to have surgery on Thursday.  They had to postpone it until the following Tuesday, but all that happened AFTER I flew to Houston for the pre-op (the nurse told me it would be OK!)!!  Crazy...

Good luck on a new QUICK date,
K

[claire1]

Carrie

I know how it feels to be bumped. Know that everything will work out fine in the end. I hope your doc is all right. It's best it was cancelled, you wouldn't want a dr operating on you with his mind somewhere else. For everything that happens, there's a reason.  Be patient

[cmp]

Ooh, deluxe surgery, I like the sound of that, Steve (as long as it comes with a designer head shave!)

Kay--that must have been SO stressful! Getting sick before surgery is another "what if" everyone frets about and tries to avoid, and you had an airplane flight mixed into the foul-up brew... I can see why you haven't thought about it in a while--who would want to remember such fun?

Claire--I just read your thread and am truly sorry to hear that you were dealt with so carelessly by the doc's office.

Membership in the "I've been bumped" club seems to grow by leaps and bounds...

Thanks again everyone for your kind words--I'm feeling much calmer today, and actually look forward to filling my time with something besides surgery preparations, since those were all done!

[HeadCase2]

Hi cmp,
  I know how you feel, my surgery date was bumped by an emergency case, and rescheduled for a week later.   Try to enjoy the reprieve.    The surgeons get geared up for the intensity of these surgeries too, so my guess is that they will reschedule soon.
Regards,
  Rob

[Sammict]

Hi Carrie

I know how you feel. My surgery has been postponed due to infection I devolped in my eardrum that has to be operated on.

They told me sometime in September after the eardrum heals. I myself made alot of plans with family and work and had to change everything.

I found that everyone around me was very understanding. And everyone here on the forum is great support.

I am sure you will here from them soon. Best of luck.

Sam

[calimama]

Hi Carrie,

If it makes you feel any better, i got bumped just 6 days from surgery (moved ahead 3 weeks). It was such a blow at the time (my blood ran cold when i got this news!)...

...but here i am 3 weeks later, with my twice rescheduled surgery now tomorrow. It was a big inconvenience, but in the end, it was not the end of the world and i hope, it was for the best in some way or another.

Anyway, just to let you know many of us have had this kind of setback, are feeling for you, but know that when the day comes, it will be because it is the right time.

Good luck!!!

Trish