Edited Date/Time
3/15/2021 8:26pm
Just to start, I have been around this Vital MX community for a long time and have enjoyed all that GuyB's site has allowed me to be part of. (I have never been clicked, Yet. lol)
I have read all of the multiple "virus" threads and posts since the start of this epidemic. To all of the people that are going through this directly, I hope the best for your outcome.
As to my topic here, I feel that I want to pass on my situation for perspective as to how the policies we are mandated to follow can have a closer to home effect given individual circumstances.
I was given a Cancer diagnosis after a Biopsy I had done in early March. It was identified as an aggressive type and I was put in the que for surgery. They scheduled my surgery for 4/9/2020. My Urologist/Oncologist/Surgeon called me last week and told me my operation was abruptly cancelled. The Hospital told him that he was being re-staffed as an ICU Doc and the Hospital was re-purposing all surgery room equipment for the expected surge of CV-19 patients (Monitors, Ventilators etc.)
My Doc told me that we should have time (before the cancer may spread wider) until he can reschedule me but had no idea when that might be.
I saw that many nurses were furloughed this week as there are not enough Hospital procedures available to keep them employed as CV-19 affects were reduced.
Look, I DON'T want to go in for a surgical procedure if the place will more likely have a chance to pass on the virus to me.
But, when my Oncologist/Surgeon, who prioritized my procedure due to my cancer situation, and is prevented from fixing me (hopefully) has put me on idle until the pandemic is reduced.
I hope everyone obeys social distancing and stays safe. We need our Hospital's to take care of all people that need care. Covid or not.
I have read all of the multiple "virus" threads and posts since the start of this epidemic. To all of the people that are going through this directly, I hope the best for your outcome.
As to my topic here, I feel that I want to pass on my situation for perspective as to how the policies we are mandated to follow can have a closer to home effect given individual circumstances.
I was given a Cancer diagnosis after a Biopsy I had done in early March. It was identified as an aggressive type and I was put in the que for surgery. They scheduled my surgery for 4/9/2020. My Urologist/Oncologist/Surgeon called me last week and told me my operation was abruptly cancelled. The Hospital told him that he was being re-staffed as an ICU Doc and the Hospital was re-purposing all surgery room equipment for the expected surge of CV-19 patients (Monitors, Ventilators etc.)
My Doc told me that we should have time (before the cancer may spread wider) until he can reschedule me but had no idea when that might be.
I saw that many nurses were furloughed this week as there are not enough Hospital procedures available to keep them employed as CV-19 affects were reduced.
Look, I DON'T want to go in for a surgical procedure if the place will more likely have a chance to pass on the virus to me.
But, when my Oncologist/Surgeon, who prioritized my procedure due to my cancer situation, and is prevented from fixing me (hopefully) has put me on idle until the pandemic is reduced.
I hope everyone obeys social distancing and stays safe. We need our Hospital's to take care of all people that need care. Covid or not.
I know that these supposedly idle hospitals people have been plastering on YouTube are quiet because they've halted elective procedures, but I don't see what is elective about yours. It sounds like your doctor wants to get it done--best of luck to you.
So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. What are your options at this point other than sitting around doing nothing until this other bug runs its course?
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Keep your spirits up brother. You got this. Just hang in there.
There are no other options?
Can you maybe go somewhere else where they're not so backed up?
The parking lot was pretty empty, there was nobody in the waiting room. I only saw 1 other patient in the preop/op rooms. Hallways were deserted. It didn't "seem" busy at all. I think they are low on staff. I asked one of them if they had seen a lot of COVID cases come through. He said "they've been busy and it's bad". But, I expected to see sick people lined up in the halls.
I am so thankful that they were able to get my wife's surgery done and I must say the staff at our local hospital were very good and very friendly. They told me that there could only be 1 family member there and I wouldn't even be able to be with her after the surgery, although I was there the whole time. I totally understand limiting the number of people there, I mean I didn't really want to be there but you still have to perform those needed functions. I think they should go ahead with your operation and best of luck to you!
Like yourself, my wife was diagnosed with an aggressive cancerous tumor in 2014. She is ok (in remission now) after numerous major/minor surgeries, chemo, and radiation.
Others have mentioned about maybe going to a different hospital but I am very confident in my Surgeon. He spent a year in fellowship using the robot that will be used in my surgery. It is called a Da Vinci surgical system and my Doc has performed many, many successful operations in the past.
If this was just a fairly routine procedure, I would have no problem seeking another solution.
To everyone else that has replied to my post, Thanks so much for your concern and positive thoughts. It is very much appreciated.
Especially when there are so many unsubstantiated rumors going around... and then some which are more true than others. Recently, a hospital around here laid off 250 employees who mostly did elective surgeries and support therefor. (Not "re-purposed" them for Covid, mind you - laid them off entirely.) Why can't those people keep working if they want to?
Now, my wife's friend has two family members who work in healthcare. One is a doctor and one an R.N. They are both confirming the rumor that when someone dies, they have been told to call it a Coronavirus death, not any other cause. If the patient was clearly not shot or hit by a car, it's Coronavirus. Take that for what it's worth: my wife told me because her friend told her because her family member told her. I don't know how true it is.
I'm going to take my tin foil hat off now before it starts making me crazy.
In any case, I hope you get your surgery quickly, AHRMA. Good luck.
quick edit.. Hopefully you are able to contact and speak with your doctor easily, ask a million questions, like if we wait will my prognosis become worse. Things like that. Like the poster below me said, if he believes it will get worse it could be considered emergency and get you in.
I imagine if your Doctor had of said this cannot wait then you would have had your surgery. You sound confident in your Doctor so I think if he felt you needed this right away it would have been done.
I wish you all the best. Take care.
Sorry for my little rant. Really frustrated with the powers that be that are running the field I'm going into. We have people like OP, that if this situation was handled correctly, would have covid free outpatient centers/hospitals where he could have his life saving treatment.
That definitely makes little sense to hold your surgery back. At some point the risk of contracting the Covid does not outweigh the benefits of a successful surgery. I will pray that your surgeon prevails.
Part of me can't help but feeling since Covid-19 is the hot word that your problem is not so critical.
I thought these guy's are scientist ? if it was important a month ago it's more important now.
Best of luck to you, I strongly recommend you make some waves , call your local news station or what ever you can do.
My daughter works for a physician who does mostly elective, cosmetic surgery but also some essential things like cancers, etc. Her doctor is still able to do those, but they are not using PPE up doing the elective stuff. She is a business manager so doesn’t have to have patient contact, but even if her Covid test is negative she will be working from home for the foreseeable future.
I sincerely hope that they are able to do your procedure very soon.
Pit Row
Who would of ever thought a few month's ago you wouldn't be out at the tracks doing your thing? It's just as inconceivable to not be able to get medical care when you need it for the same reason you can't work your job.
My hope is that we both get back to our new "normal" sooner than later.
Also try Cleveland clinic. They got speciality on specialty there.
We had a Tornado come right through us last Tuesday night. +100 MPH winds in that storm. Snapped and/or uprooted 10 trees on my property alone. Lost power etc. Lot's to clean up.
Stay safe!
From what I heard CC was also limiting surgeries? I have a friend who's sister works there. I will ask. Thanks!
My Doc just now called and said the Hospital is restarting surgeries for prioritized cases. My new date is 4/23.
Thankful and apprehensive all at the same time.
Hang TOUGH Brother.
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