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Articles: Kevin's surgery cancelled

Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 01:04 PM, (560 Reads)
Kevin's surgery was cancelled at the last minute on Wednesday. This is good on the one hand, because it has been decided that the surgery is necessary only for cosmetic purposes and that everything else is fine, with the shunt working well, and that the surgery can therefore wait till later (a review will be conducted sometime next year). The bad side of it? Well, put yourself in this position... Take one strong man with severe brain injury, who doesn't like hospitals and has to be transported on a 3-hour drive to the hospital. Take several support workers whose services are not required for an undetermined length of time (a week? a month? no information was forthcoming). Take one live-in client who needs 7-day supervision and all meals prepared, except that the person who usually does this has to go to Perth too and therefore an alternative carer has to be organised and paid. Then pack up everything that may be required in Perth, and organise accommodation in Perth for two family members accompanying Kevin. Then once everything has been organised, the logistics put in place and car packed and everyone psyched up and ready to go, receive one phone call at the last minute, to say 'Oh, just unpack and stay there and relax.' Sorry, was that 'relax???' I challenge all medics in WA to have someone take them on this kind of emotional roller coaster... oh, yes, and to indulge in a little 'real life' sometime. Maybe then they'd think twice about leaving things to the last minute and then casually changing their minds. They don't all do this sort of thing of course, and they are obviously good at many things that they do, but sensitivity is severely lacking among some. This sort of experience is unnecessary and totally unhelpful in making the daily challenges of living with brain injury easier.

The saving grace for the day was that a letter arrived from the private (i.e. not the same one in the public system) neurosurgeon who saw Kevin a couple of weeks ago and it is so positive - which is great to have on paper as it seems to have a lot more weight when trying to access services than the actual day-to-day experiences of family and carers.

With all that said, the motto is 'ONWARDS and UPWARDS, but don't forget to smell the roses along the way!' And the roses can indeed smell very good - positive thinking always!

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Kevin's surgery cancelled | Log-in or register a new user account | 3 Comments
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Re: Kevin's surgery cancelled

(Score: 1)
by hjm (hjm@farmside.co.nz) on Nov 06, 2008 - 10:08 PM
(User information http://www.glenhomestays.co.nz)
Yes the public health "services" everywhere seem to be the same. Many of the employees seem to believe that the "service" part of the system is there to service their needs rather than those of the patient. Sure they have a job that I would not want to do but it was their choice of career. It is just the continuing saga of the bureaucrat being responsible to no one and with inadequate supervision. Where there is a "supervisor" they are probably away for coffee or golf!

Good to hear of the private specialist's opinion. Gives some incentive to carry on.

Re: Kevin's surgery cancelled

(Score: 1)
by joy on Nov 08, 2008 - 10:07 PM
(User information 
I'm glad in a way that Kevin doesn't need to be subjected to even more surgery at this time when he appears to making such progress cognitively. Another anaesthetic could slow everything down.
The Australian hospital system seems to be somewhat lacking. Here in NZ people complain too, but it is all relative.
Val, my mother-in-law is having regular admissions into Hawke's Bay Hospital at present. She is full of admiration for the staff and the service and says she is getting much more thorough treatment than in the Gold Coast.
The staff I work with are hardworking and dedicated. When there are service issues or long waiting times for procedures it is always a funding issue.

By the way, it was very exciting and emotional for me when Kevin spoke to me on the phone a week or so ago. What amazing progress!

Joy

Re: Kevin's surgery cancelled

(Score: 1)
by Shaun on Nov 10, 2008 - 04:49 AM
(User information http://www.blue-dunes.com)
Onwards and upwards! Thinking of you guys from here - watching the progress and wishing I was there to help in someway or another.

much love
- l'il bro



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