I Am Overwhelmed...

... at the vast amount of support I've received from fellow bloggers and blog readers alike.  Having felt like no one cared for so long it has really helped me keep upbeat - so thank you!  I do wish to clarify that I am not trying to be a poster child here.  At my age statistics really are on my side and it could be something very simple, but I know I am not the only person on that list.  I know there have to be older more at risk women in front of me and they too are not getting the treatment they deserve.  It's just scandalous!

Taking Primal Sneeze's suggestion, I contacted my local TDs Brian Cowen, Olwyn Enright, John Maloney and Charlie Flanagan.  I received a prompt response from Fine Gael's Charlie this morning.  He said:

Hi AL,

i am sorry that you have been let down by the health services. The situation is not improving. I have been in touch with the HSE and the Dept of Health to see can the timescale between referral and treatment be shortened. Many women cannot wait and some will suffer health deterioration in the meantime. I assure you of my efforts. regards Charlie Flanagan.

I was impressed with the promptness of his reply, but given my general experience with politicians remained skeptical until I received a second email from him a few minutes ago.

AL, I have been making enquiries about breast ultrasound in Midlands. It appears that there is  now no service. I have personally written to Mary Harney expressing my concern and requesting urgent action. Kind regards. Charlie Flanagan.

I have to say I am impressed with Charlie and very glad I voted Fine Gael, but what the hell is up now?

There is NO service in the Midlands?  What the fuck?  Shouldn't somebody have made an announcement about this?  Shouldn't the GP's have been told so they could refer us elsewhere?  Shouldn't someone have let the women affected know?  If I hadn't written to Charlie, I would be sitting here thinking that each day that goes by moves me up on their list.  But now it turns out the list has gone POOF along with breast services in the Midlands.  The thing that kills me is that ALL the hospitals have to shut down the service.  Tullamore stopped first, then Mullingar and only now Port Laoise.  Tullamore and Mullingar were never effected in the first place, why should they turn away patients because of some heated press in Port Laoise.  If anything, Port Laoise services should have been suspended from the get go and the other hospitals in the region should have picked up the slack.  And you can bet all the people working in these suspended units are still getting paid!  It's sick.

I've just about had it.  I had wanted to remain anonymous and avoid the press, but this is just ridiculous.  I rang Port Laoise and no one is telling me anything.  My GP is gone for the day, but I will be ringing first thing in the morning and asking for a referral to Dublin, which I asked for three weeks ago!  This is horse shit. 

If Mary Harney found a lump in her breast would she be waiting this long? I think not.  I am angry and frustrated and I don't know where to go from here.   Shit...

Comments

[OneForTheRoad]

I don't know where to start with the HSE / Mary Harney.

I feel for you having to put up with their ineptitude, especially over such a serious matter.

What makes the mind boggle is that breast screenings are now top of the national agenda, and they still can't sort themselves out.

And as for no service in the midlands....this is beyond a joke.

[Bock the Robber]

Is it available privately?

[AvoidingLife]

Thanks OFTR!

Bock - This all WAS as me being a private patient, so I can only imagine what public patients are going through! I could go to a private hospital without a referral, but I just don't have the cash to do that. Barely making ends meet as it is... *SIGH* Thanks much for all your support!

[Bock the Robber]

What would it cost?

[Sabrina]

Wait a minute. I was stunned before, but now I'm just... this is what happens when you're being seen (or not seen) as a *private insurance* patient??!!

Have you rung up your insurance company and given them 42 kinds of hell?

[Green Ink]

Jaw hits floor.

[Maria]

Hi Al

Sorry to hear about your very real worries.. I was just wondering if you have health insurance...and if so doesnt Bupa ( quinn health ) pay for treatment if you cant get it in Ireland...maybe it might be worth ringing them and seeing if you can get a appoinment in the uk...If it were me i would be ringing the hospitals in North and seeing wjat could be done..what about the beacon Clinic ...Clane Hospital...Travel where ever you can but dont wait....This is a national disgrace...I hope and pray that you will have a good outcome...

[Paul]

It disgusts me that you've been put through this crap by thoroughly incompetent 'leaders' who are never held accountable for their actions.

I truly hope everything does work out ok for you in the end though.

[Dan Sullivan]

The really magic thing in all this for the HSE (Horror Stories Eireann) is that you're technically not on a waiting list because you've not seen a consultant yet.

Not that you're not waiting or that there isn't a queue of people and you're queuing with the rest of them. But in the press release world of the HSE you're not someone on a waiting list because you're caught in the land between your GP and the acute health care system. We're pulling for you.