Are You Invisible?
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:20 pm
Are you invisible?
I am!
Last year, my GP sent me for blood tests and an ultrasonic scan on my liver and, incidental to that, it was found that I had gall stones (which most people have, apparently) and a more serious problem of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
In August, I saw a specialist at the hospital who said that they would be doing another scan to establish whether the aneurysm was a uniformly round one or a 'blippy' one (as he put it).
They know that it is 3cm- so - not a problem if it is the round one which they leave alone until it gets to 5cm before they do something about it; the 'blippy' one is an unstable thing to have and needs attention.
I received a letter following my visit which said that I would be sent another appointment for the scan around two month's time - ie around November.
I received another appointment(in November) but it wasn't for a scan - I merely saw another vascular surgeon who reiterated all that I was told on my last visit.
Since then, it has been admitted that they slipped up and it should have been for another scan. I received another letter saying that I would be sent another appointment for the scan, since which time, yet again, I've heard nothing.
About a month ago, I rang the surgeon's secretary who told me that she would speak to him and promised to ring me back. Nothing!!!!
I rang again, and she then said that I was on her list for another appointment for the scan and I should receive that within a fortnight.
It is now 3 weeks and I now know that I am invisible, I hold imaginary conversations with medical staff who make imaginary promises.
I am only hoping that the aneurysm is also something I have imagined as, of course, without attention and regular inspection, it will kill me.
I am!
Last year, my GP sent me for blood tests and an ultrasonic scan on my liver and, incidental to that, it was found that I had gall stones (which most people have, apparently) and a more serious problem of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
In August, I saw a specialist at the hospital who said that they would be doing another scan to establish whether the aneurysm was a uniformly round one or a 'blippy' one (as he put it).
They know that it is 3cm- so - not a problem if it is the round one which they leave alone until it gets to 5cm before they do something about it; the 'blippy' one is an unstable thing to have and needs attention.
I received a letter following my visit which said that I would be sent another appointment for the scan around two month's time - ie around November.
I received another appointment(in November) but it wasn't for a scan - I merely saw another vascular surgeon who reiterated all that I was told on my last visit.
Since then, it has been admitted that they slipped up and it should have been for another scan. I received another letter saying that I would be sent another appointment for the scan, since which time, yet again, I've heard nothing.
About a month ago, I rang the surgeon's secretary who told me that she would speak to him and promised to ring me back. Nothing!!!!
I rang again, and she then said that I was on her list for another appointment for the scan and I should receive that within a fortnight.
It is now 3 weeks and I now know that I am invisible, I hold imaginary conversations with medical staff who make imaginary promises.
I am only hoping that the aneurysm is also something I have imagined as, of course, without attention and regular inspection, it will kill me.