Never Easy

You’d think I’d expect it by now. Nothing is ever simple for me, especially when it comes to anything medical.

Once my hysterectomy was scheduled, they needed a clearance letter from my cardiologist. I gave them her name and also my electrophysiologist, knowing that last time my cardiologist wanted him handle the bridging of my Coumadin. On Monday I emailed my cardiologist’s office to make sure they had received the request. They had, but apparently my cardiologist wanted to consult with an adult congenital specialist before giving clearance. I also messaged the electrophysiologist and they had not gotten anything. I contacted the surgeon’s office and let them know. She said she hadn’t sent one to the electrophysiologist because she didn’t think they needed anything from him. I said “No, you’re going to want a letter from him too.” So she sent the request.

The next day I got a phone call from the electrophysiologist’s office giving me the protocol for stopping my Coumadin and they called in a prescription for the injections I have to take to bridge. Things seemed to be moving along better than last year when I had wrist surgery and there was debate about who would prescribe the injections.

But relief was short lived. I got a call yesterday from the cardiologist’s office asking me a list of questions about the surgery (didn’t talk to her myself, just her office assistant). She wanted to know where it would be, if it would be outpatient or if I’d be staying at the hospital, and the predicted recovery time. I was able to answer all of those questions, but when she asked what cardiologist would be called if something went wrong I had no idea. I said I’d call and try to find out. The surgeon’s office said “Whoever’s on call. I don’t have a name. Will she not approve the surgery if we can’t give her a name?” I said I didn’t know, but maybe it would help if the two doctors talked to one another. She offered to give my cardiologist the surgeon’s cell number, but couldn’t give it to me, so I had to give the cardiologist’s office her extension so that she could give it directly to them.

I immediately feared that she was going to say no to the surgery, or at least with the surgeon I currently have. My fear was that she would want me to go to a hospital that had ACHD cardiologists on staff. Which would mean going to yet another doctor and hope they would listen and sympathize. Here I was, after 4 years of being turned away by multiple doctors, finally getting someone to take action, and another mountain loomed before me. I felt defeated.

I don’t know if my cardiologist finally talked to the surgeon or not. But I did get an email from her office assistant saying that the letter would be sent today. I have no idea what will be in that letter, but I am assuming it will give approval or she would have said something. This is a relief. I have my pre-op appointment today and stop my Coumadin tomorrow. I certainly didn’t want to go through those just to be told I wouldn’t be having the surgery after all. Now I just have to hope that nothing else crops up and that the surgery goes smoothly!