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Date: 02.10.2013
From: Julia

Subject: paying for surgery overseas or giving up?

Hi I wonder if there is anyone out there who has paid for surgery overseas. I cant afford the huge costs in UK and will have to borrow money to go abroad also. I was diagnosed with lumbar osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis in March. I have congenital scoliosis and this is the reason I have developed osteoarthritis at 41. I cant make any other changes to improve my condition as I am a healthy weight, am trying to continue to be active and eat healthy. I feel totally alone and in absolute despair as yet again I find myself unable to access timely nhs treatment, left in agony and struggling to keep my job (I have got into severe debt after paying for 2 endometriosis surgeries due to 8 month surgery waits) I paid to see a top spinal surgeon in August as my local nhs didn't have clue what they were doing. This surgeon and nhs physiotherapist have both said the only way to improve my pain is to have major spinal fusion surgery with reconstruction as I have several spinal anomalies and the spine is trying to fuse itself but the degenerated disks are in the way. After a massive fight with nhs I have been sent to a spinal scoliosis surgeon expert BUT appointment is 5 months away and surgery wait a year after this. I am now at imminent risk of losing my job due to my sickness levels going beyond equality act reasonable adjustments.This government wants the disabled to work but wont give us access to appropriate and timely medical treatment. What should I do give up, accept bankruptcy ,losing my home and a life on benefits, (though sure atos will say I am fit to work yet employers say otherwise)? or do I take on even more debt and take the risk of going overseas for the surgery? thanks Julia
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Date: 02.10.2013
From: rhona

Subject: Re: paying for surgery overseas or giving up?

That sounds awful Julia. I wonder if you could pay to see the spinal expert privately to avoid the 5 months wait and when he sees the seriousness of it he might do it much quicker than the year wait.
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Date: 02.10.2013
From: Emm

Subject: Re: paying for surgery overseas or giving up?

Poor you, Julia,

I think you should send a copy of what you have written to Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg.

You have put it so precisely. Lot's of us agree with you.

We get to hospital with hope but the system is so slow we come away feeling rejected.!
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Date: 02.10.2013
From: marlene

Subject: Re: paying for surgery overseas or giving up?

Hi Julia, don't give up hope my husband recently was admitted to hospital with a slipped disc and was told after 5 days surgery was not an option. He had an appointment with a consultant which thankfully we didn't cancel when he was admitted to hospital.
When he saw the surgeon he was told you need surgery and four weeks later operation done
It just seems you have to see the right people.

It is absolutely wrong that you are getting into debt paying private. Sometimes it helps to phone and ask if they have an earlier appointment or say you will take any cancellations they may have.
5 Months seems so long to wait but it is nothing unusual. Waiting lists differ in areas.
Keep your chin and don't put your home on the line we all need somewhere to live.
I do hope you get seen sooner give them a ring you never know!!!
xx
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