My Surgeon Appointment OR How I Humiliated Myself Today at TWH

I had my appointment to see the surgeon scheduled for this morning and I was very excited and very nervous about it but I've been waiting for it for a month now.  If you recall (or if you don't...heh) I had had asked at my dietician appointment if it were possible for me to have my surgery at Toronto Western Hospital site as opposed to the St. Michael's Site or the Toronto East General site because I needed the firm in advance well known surgery date in order to facilitate my vacation and the care of my children.  I didn't demand or tell them that it had to be this way I just asked if it was possible for my preference to be taken into consideration and expressed that I was willing to be as patient as I had to be in order for that to happen. 

Fast forward to the last week of October when I finally heard back about my appointment with the surgeon and heard that I was booked in to see Dr. Cyriac at Toronto EAST General Hospital.  I called and spoke with the hospital and reflected that I had asked to remain at Toronto Western Hospital and that I was willing to be as patient was possible for that to happen and was it possible for me to rebook my surgery appointment for a later date with a surgeon who operates within Toronto Western Hospital.  At that time the woman who I spoke with was quite pleasant and wonderful and reflected that yes in fact it was no problem at all she could easily do that for me and she rebooked me in for today - November 25th at 9am to see Dr. Jackson (this is what she told me).  I would have to wait three more weeks for my appiontment but at least I would be at the Toronto Western site I had preferred - I was very happy.

Leading up to my appointment this week I had so many mixed emotions - Excitement at the fact that this was the end, that after today I would know my surgery for sure and order my Optifast and be on my way....Anxiety about the unkown, how my surgery would go, the complications i might face......Relief that the waiting process was finally coming to an end.  I got all my ducks in a row....got myself the morning off of work...my husband took the day off.....got childcare for my children so that Mike and I could go and off we went.  When I was sitting in the waiting room I heard someone else talking about being there to meet with Dr. Jackson and someone told him that Dr. Jackson wasn't scheduled to work today - I looked at my husband with confusion but checked in and sat patiently to wait my turn.  It didn't take long and the nurse called me back and on our way to the back she commented that I was seeing a doctor from St. Michaels Hospital - I told her that I was confused and that there must be some mistake because I was there to see a surgeon from Toronto Western - one whom I had waited an extra three weeks in the process to meet.  She reflected that you don't get to choose your surgeon and that I must be the one confused to which I responded that she was in fact the one who had said in my orientation way back in June that you can request a hospital but you may need to wait a longer time to get there - when I said that she commented that "well I guess there is no reason weighing you today if you're not going to meet the surgeon today" and took me back out into the waiting room to the booking desk.  There she told me that I wouldn't be able to see a Toronto Western Surgeon until the end of January and I expressed that I wasn't ok with that because I am aware of what dates they are currently book meet the surgeon appointments with and that this is now the second time that TWH has been mixed up in their communication and that this was a mistake on their behalf and not mine - that had they simply told me in the very beginning that you could not express a preference I would have already seen Dr. Cyriac back at the beginning of November. 

At this point I started to feel my heart racing and I got real hot and felt like I was going to pass out.  I had never experienced this in my life before - I think I had a panic attack because I felt tears coming out of my eyes and a strong need to go sit next to my husband so I told them they needed to figure it out and let me know when they had and sat down with my husband where I just started crying in front of everyone in the waiting room. My husband put his arms around me and I just felt like all of my emotion was coming out of me - I had been working towards this day, prepared for this day, and after learning I was supposed to meet with Dr. Jackson had researched him and felt sure and confident in my preparation for that day and suddenly everything was changing - it felt weird and out of sorts and I felt like I was in the twilight zone. I felt like I had to make a decision on the spot - either see this surgeon or wait until the end of January or early February and neither of those decisions felt comfortable to me. Eventually the secretary came and offered me to see Dr. Jackson next Friday December 2nd and I spent some time trying to decide if I would stay and see the St. Mike's doctor or go and see the TWH doctor next week - I decided to come back next week and left without seeing a surgeon or a surgery date. 

I was just really confused and have been very stressed out by the administration at TWH lately....things used to seem so organized there lately and it's been a rough for my last couple of interactions with them.

So I'm seeing the surgeon next week but just feeling a little disheartened.

Hey you!!

Wow sorry to hear that TWH mixed you up so much! that is so disapointing! I hear you on the humiliation.... I have also cried in the waiting room there! Lol! I went to attend my nutritional group and I was 20 minutes late due to traffic.... well the front reseptionist was horribly rude to me and said that I had to rebook since 20 was far too late to join the class. So of course they rebooked me for a month later and when I went, not one but TWO people came in and joined over 30 and 40 minutes late. Nice huh? I didn't complain or anything because there was no point, but I was definitely upset about that.  Obviously you made those arrangements for your children and it was unfortunate that they didnt understand more!!  I don't blame ya for fellin disheartened.

So we are meeting Dr Jackson on the same day. I'm seeing him at 9:30! Can you forward me any research taht you have found on him? When are you meeting with him??

Emily! :)

Add me as a friend :)

sorry to hear about the mix up, i don't blame you for being pissed, i would have been too, I know i was when i was getting the run around about my file being sent to Hamilton.  I kept calling and bugging and reconfirming.  IT sucks that it is so close yet so far away.  Good luck

Robin

I'm so sorry that happened to you!  How horrible!  It's astonishing to me how medical bureaucracies manage to mess things up repeatedly and then make you feel like you're the one who made the mistakes.  I hope your appt next week goes smoothly.

I've had anxiety attacks in the past; it's an awful experience.  Remember that the people in the waiting room were probably not judging you, rather, they were probably thinking"'that poor woman, I feel so bad for  her, I hope that doesn't happen to me" and so on.  I'm glad your husband was there to support you when it happened!

I am so disappointed for you. The administrative screw-ups there lately are appalling... 

I have been thinking about you all day! I knew your appointment was today and was excited for you to get your Surgery date.

On the plus side... this means we are seeing Dr. Jackson on the same day now! My appointment is for 9am that day....what time is yours?

So sorry to hear you've had such a rough time of it.  I hope things turn your way now.  But think of it this way ... The longer the wait, the sweeter the prize.

Sounds like you dealt with the mix up really well, as anyone would be upset in your situation.   I hope its all smooth sailing from here on!

 Really sorry to hear what a traumatic and frustraing day you had...seems like some people at TWH don't know how to provide caring and understanding to those you need it most...what you experienced was rude and BAD bedside manner....i am amazed at how well you stood your ground and stood up to the TWH admin.  even when you were clearly rattled and upset..I respect you for that....i hope everything is smooth sailing from here on in. Enjoy the weekend and take care
Mary

I echo that Mary.!!!.. Melissa is nothing if not totally poised under pressure. She is a very intelligent person who knows first hand the benefits of being civilized and diplomatic, even in the most ardous cir****tances... this is not the first time she has "kept-it-together" when she was more than entitled to have a meltdown.  

Anyone remember that Post that Melissa put up on OH about the X-ray technician? I would've completely lost my **** if that had happened to me...but not Melissa...

Melissa -- I think this is the number one reason I respect you so much. I know we aren't BFF's or anything, and we only really know each other through this site - but I want you to know that I have A LOT of respect for you, and they way you have handled yourself in this situation and the previous ones...it speaks volumes to your character! I mean that sincerely....

I hope that everything goes so well for you on the 2nd, that all this will fade away in the background.  Now, breathe!