Hi, my name is Gayle and I am waiting for a hip replacement. I am relating this story because unless people are going through a situation which requires a medical or surgical intervention, they may have no real understanding of what they are likely to endure.
Often forgotten is that the patient’s spouse/partner and family are also part of the journey with everyone feeling the effects of delays and uncertainty.
Pain, in any form, is disabling, but when it is ongoing and the delays go on and on, it can be mentally draining. The person waiting on surgery can suffer from fatigue, depression, isolation and feelings of hopelessness.
As time passes, the person concerned (and his or her family) usually become anxious as they wait for a letter to first confirm they are on a waiting list for treatment; then a letter advising a date for a pre-op appointment, and then, finally, a letter confirming a date for surgery. Waiting can seem interminable.
Every week, month and even year that passes with no letter arriving, leaves a person feeling more and more deflated. Furthermore, all the delays are likely to include a wait time of up to 90 days for a diagnostic test depending on the test required. This further hinders surgery taking place.
Depending on the situation, fears of falling, the condition worsening, or the prospect of dying before the intervention, are all very real and heart-breaking for everyone concerned.
“Please make every effort to improve our ailing health system. Wait times for elective surgeries must be improved if we don’t want the wider cost of medical care and mental wellbeing to get further out of hand.”
Bad days become more frequent and the struggle to stay positive diminishes, especially when there seems to be no end in sight. The patient becomes more reliant on spouse, partner, family and friends. Slowly you begin to lose your independence.
Ongoing support and empathy, (without it being overbearing) are most needed by patients and their families most need as those weeks, months and, sometimes, years pass.
We all need to remember that the sufferer still wants to retain pride and independence at whatever level possible, therefore, being patient with them is paramount.
Also, don’t forget the supportive spouse or partner, who is living with the mood swings and mental fatigue of the patient.
Eventually, I will have my hip replaced and after the recovery period I will get my life back.
However, I will now be more aware and understanding of what others are going through hence my plea to our Parliamentarians: “Please make every effort to improve our ailing health system.
“Wait times for elective surgeries must be improved if we don’t want the wider cost of medical care and mental wellbeing to get further out of hand.”