Not impressed with our healthcare system
At first, I was impressed with how fast things went. It was a couple of weeks from "you have a brain tumour" to "you're getting it out on March 24th". Then it was March 31st. Then I got a call saying it would be April 7th or the 14th. I told the caller that my condition was worsening, and that I had been delayed once already.
Then the surgeon called me.
I guess I sounded angry because then the surgeon called me a few minutes later to say he wasn't worried about me, that there were more pressing cases, etc. As he spoke, I understood that April 7th would become the 14th, and then on and on. Always someone with a worse case getting ahead of me. It was soul-crushing.
I get it.
I get it. Our healthcare system is underfunded and overworked. I saw that yesterday at the hospital when it took 4 hours to get blood drawn for pre-op stuff. I get it. Acute and critical cases always get priority, and that's how it should be.
I'm still pissed.
So the surgeon should not have kept us in his office for an hour and 15 minutes, telling war stories, and assuring us that we wouldn't get bumped for the March 24 date. On the call, the surgeon showed very low empathy, and couldn't offer any options except Decadron (cortisone pills) if my leg and arm paralysis get worse. They are getting worse. Each week's delay adds a week to my recovery, and shows worsening symptoms of paralysis, which the doctor could not say would return after the operation.
Apparently there are no other surgeons available in the Outaouais, and waiting lists are longer in bigger cities.
Now we just wait.
I'll keep track of how many times I get bumped. I definitely get the feeling that April 7th will turn into April 14th, and on and on and on. Eventually I'll be unable to walk, and recovery will take longer.
Anyway. Rant over.
