22. Waiting

It’s horrible waiting. Checking the mail each day. Wishing that an envelope would arrive with NHS on it.

I don’t think I’m any different to anybody else in that once I’m on a waiting list I want the op. done and dusted as soon as possible as the longer I have to wait the more anxious I get.

Being put on the waiting list gave my mood a real boost but as each day goes by, I’m like a balloon with a leak, slowly going down and down.

My weight seems to have reached a plateau which is a bit disheartening to say the least.

I’ve reached 13 weeks or 3 months since I was put on the waiting list for my elbow operation and as the doctor said the waiting time was about 3 to 4 months I should receive my letter any day now, but each time a letter arrives with NHS on it and it’s not for me the sadder I get and this has happened twice so far.

My mobility is terrible, I have a lot of trouble just getting to the car which also means I’m getting more and more miserable each day but at least my weight seems to be going slowly in the right direction i.e., downwards, although I’ve still got plenty to lose.

Last week I made a stupid mistake. When the doctor put me on the waiting list for the first operation, on my arm, she said the waiting time was about 3 to 4 months so on 22nd June I realised that was about now.

So, I foolishly rang the Conquest Hospital to see if I could get an update. The person I spoke to informed me that the waiting time was about 7 months so the earliest I would be called would be about September/October.

Obviously, this did nothing to improve my mood, in fact, quite the opposite. I just hope it doesn’t de-motivate me in my weight loss quest!

Thursday 1st September has arrived which means 26 weeks since I was put on the waiting list for my arm operation or half a year. So, I tried ringing the hospital for an update. I rang my consultant’s secretary and she gave me the direct number for admissions so I rang them and after a couple of attempts I left a message on their answerphone and we’ll see if they ever get back to me.

However, the fact that 6 months has gone by just waiting to get my hand back means that I’m very low today. To cheer myself up a bit I’ve amended a song slightly to make it more appropriate.

Please Mr. Postman

There must be some word today

From my doctor so far away

Please Mister Postman, look and see

Is there a letter, a letter for me

I've been sittin' here waitin' Mister Postman so patiently,

For just a card, or just a letter

Sayin' he's gonna operate on me

Please Mister Postman (Mister Postman, look and see Oh yeah)

Is there a letter in your bag for me?

Please Please Mister Postman

It's been a very long time (Oh yeah)

Since I heard from this doctor of mine

So many days you passed me by

You saw the tears standin' in my eye

You wouldn't stop to make me feel better

By leavin' me a card or a letter

Please check it and see one more time for me

You better wait, wait a minute (Oh yeah)

Wait a minute, wait a minute (Oh yeah)

Please Mister Postman

Deliver de letter the sooner de better

After a week and numerous phone calls I finally managed to get through to a human being in admissions to get an update on how much longer I will have to wait for my arm op. and the answer was that I should be called about the end of October or the beginning of November. However, if there is a cancellation I might be called earlier.