I need an operation on my heart, I live with daily symptoms which affect my quality of life. I have recently been for my last test before my case goes to an MDT meeting to decide if it’s going to be open heart surgery or a catheter through the groin. The cardiologist told me it’s about 6 months wait for the meeting, then a further 12 months wait for the surgery. I was disheartened to hear that the wait will be so long because it means I have to live with these symptoms for another year and a half. Pretty much everyone who has asked me for an update has said “oh that’s brilliant news, at least you’re not being rushed in!” Or “oh so you’re not at risk of dying or anything then if they’re willing to leave it that long” but I don’t see it as them being “willing” to wait that long. That’s just how long the waiting list is. If the defect isn’t corrected, it can lead to heart attacks or strokes, so I understand they will prioritise people who have already suffered these things, but knowing the longer it’s left, the more at risk I become is scary for me.
My grandad needs a knee replacement but has been told the wait list is about 18 months and he has deteriorated so much. Just because you don’t have a life threatening illness doesn’t make it any easier to live with a deteriorating condition for over a year. It’s affecting my work, my social life, my relationship, even basic tasks are very difficult for me some days, I am constantly feeling unwell. And it’s quite upsetting to hear people say it’s good news that I have to wait so long. However, I do know that they say it to be positive and are only trying to be nice, so I do take the comment in the way it’s intended. But I just don’t see it that way. I know others will be able to relate. I just wanted to get it off my chest as I called the hospital today and they said I’m still not even on the MDT waiting list yet. Just feels like the finish line is getting further and further away