How long should I wait?

[Xtina M]

Hi everyone, big moan from me today. Had my 6 month CT scan on 19th August and so far I've heard nothing from the NS. Been waiting patiently; you know, 'they must be busy', 'I'm not the only one needing answers', etc, etc, but I think my patience is finally wearing a bit thin. Phone the NS department twice this week, finally was told that I'd get a call back - nothing yet.

The biggest issue for me at the moment, apart from wondering what they found in there (can't have been anything serious or they would have contacted me by now surely), is that here in New Zealand, as far as I understand the law, I have to be passed by the NS as fit to drive before I'm allowed behind the wheel again, and that won't happen until I get my appointment which doesn't seem to be happening. How long do they expect me to keep my life on hold?:confused:*badmood

This is placing an extra burden on my husband who has to take the children to their music lessons etc. It's been seven months now since my rupture and I can't even take the girls shopping and they're both in need of new clothes. We're going to Auckland at the end of the month (about 8 hours drive) and at this rate it looks like Paul will have to do all the driving.

OK, I've had my moan - just needed to tell someone who would understand. Now I'm going to have some positive thoughts and I'll probably feel better in the morning!!!!!!!;)

Christina

[Beachgirl]

Hey Christina,

Don't apologise, man, you have every right to complain! I can't believe that you've had to wait this long!!! I would start being a pain in the butt and ring, a couple of times a day if necessary, until you get that appointment. They are being really unfair to you - as you say, you cannot get a clearance to drive until the NS gives the ok. You mention that you aren't 100% certain of this, can you ring the motor registry office to check to make sure that this is the case?

Don't give up, and start being a bit more pushy - they'll soon get the message (hopefully! ;) ) Sometimes we need to be more proactive in our own healthcare, as noone else will do it for us.:mad:

I hope you are healing well, and that you get your license back soon - another BIG step on the road to recovery and independence!! :D

Hugs,

Nat xx

[TropicalTrish]

Hey Christina,

It's usual for me to see my Coiling Dude one month after the follow up angiograms.

However he does pop his head in the Angiogram day while I am doing the 5 hour lay on your back and don't move marathon - to at least give me a verbal update.

Geeeezzzzzzzzzz!!! Did your Dr. do that at least?

Then the one month follow up - they go over the whole Angiogram and come up with suggestions etc.

Sure hope you hear something soon - I would be totally twisted if I had to wait that long!

Best Wishes

.

[Xtina M]

Hey, I don't know what's going on, it's as if I've dropped off the planet or something. Didn't get the promised call back yesterday, rang again today and had to speak to the answering machine, asked again for a call back and haven't heard a peep. A friend called today and I told her I was about ready to start throwing plates; except I'd be throwing them at the wrong person, like my husband and children rather than the one who needs them!!!:D

No, I didn't see the NS when I was in for the CT - hey, maybe it's not me, maybe he's dropped off the planet!!!!

My husband downloaded the legislation relevant to driving and it's pretty clear: "Driving should cease for a minimum period of six months following a craniotomy for intracerebral lesions . . . (blah blah blah) . . . All individuals who have conditions such as ... intracranial aneurysms . . . should stop driving until the medical practitioner permits a return to driving". Plus, my letter from my follow-up appointment with NS says: "I recommended her not to drive a vehicle for at least six months and plan to reassess ... after this time to see the recovery of her double vision". I feel I could start driving again now; my vision is back to normal and it's been seven months since my craniotomy, but can you just see the insurance company paying out if I needed to make a claim and didn't have the official big tick from the NS?!!!!!

I think I'll just go and throw a plate! See you tomorrow,

Christina

[Hypatia]

Christina - as my grandmother used to say, 'The squeaky wheel gets the grease'. ;) You've been very patient and sometimes it gets to the point where a little squeaking is called for.

I sometimes get just a little annoyed that people in the medical professions seem to 'forget' that, as patients, our time is also valuable, and that we may have needs, and reasons for needing - not just wanting - to get back into as much of our normal routines as possible.

Perhaps if you were to call the office of your NS and speak with the nurse or receptionist and explain that if there is much more of a delay you'll be FAXing a copy of your kid's schedules so that they can start pitching in with the driving until you get the medical release you need to get back to driving yourself, that might get their attention. lol. A little drastic, I know, but hey, we all gotta do what we gotta do!

Here's hoping you get in to see that NS soon and are back behind the wheel again - safe and sound. Unless there is a good medical reason to keep you out of the driver's seat, it doesn't seem right to keep putting you off. I know what it feels like to have to wait, and wait, and wait to hear back from a Dr. Bah!

Hang in there. :)

[Xtina M]

My family doctor got his nurse to call the NS department to find out why I hadn't had an appointment yet. Finally she was told that there wasn't one scheduled and they sent her to the appointments desk where she had to leave a voicemail message. Appointments rang this afternoon to say that my family doctor would have to request an appointment for me as there was no instruction from the NS about it. My doctor has sent a letter off to the hospital and has promised to keep badgering until I get one. Thanks so much to the local doctor and his nurse.

However, if you had a letter from your NS saying that he was stopping you from driving and would reassess you in six months time, wouldn't you expect that you would be automatically recalled and not have to get your family doctor to remind them? What the heck are computers for after all?:confused:

Anyway, I've got people now working on my side and I've decided I can't keep getting angry and worked up about it - deep breaths, calm, calm, peaceful, happy, and enjoy the spring! (Besides, we might run out of plates and then what would I throw!!!)

Christina

[Beachgirl]

LOL - so true Christina!!! Next to go would be the cups, the glasses...
Yes, go to your happy place ;)

Unbelievable - I am totally amazed! Yeah, you would THINK that you would get an appointment without all this crap for the reassessment that the NS himself suggested!!! That's great that your GP is trying all he can - at least you do have someone in your corner!!!

BTW - watch out for the dust storm heading your way from here - it has looked like Mars today!!! Eerie and weird!!

Hugs,

Nat xx

[Ging]

XTINA, I hate when red tape puts our lives on hold! Good luck honey !! I think the insurance co. should assign drivers to take people around ,no matter the time or places until you are released to do so your self.Keep that wheel oil handy !!!, Hugs Ging

[Whippet]

Yay, for people working on your side! That is really good to hear.

Um yes, you would think you would be automatically be recalled as part of your treatment. Next time you are in, ask them if they have a suggestion box and politely place your suggestion in it with some of the plate scraps...that might wake em up a bit, lol.

I heard about those dust storms!!!! You all take care.

[Xtina M]

Thanks everyone for your support in this. I'll keep you posted on what happens. I don't know what I would have done without you people and this forum to vent my frustrations and get some understanding.

What's really shocked me in this is my total inability to cope with the stress it's caused me; I really went into a huge depression spiral, crying at everything, or if not crying, then snappy and irritable, didn't want to see anyone or talk to anyone - what a complete mess!!! It's made me realise that although the body is recovering quite well (I'd guess 50%-70% of normal energy), the spirit and emotions are lagging way behind; I just don't seem to have recovered my internal resilience. My husband has been so understanding; I think it's been a wake-up for him too and he's been really gentle and loving. He's a blessing.

Life is good and I'm recovering my equilibrium. Looking out for those dust storms from across the ditch!:D

Christina