I am wondering how other people views on this situation and whether anyone else has experienced this, and if frustration/questioning is justified or if we are overeacting. Our surgery which was "expected" around last week of February, was pushed back to April 3, and then unexpectedly pushed back to April 17 today (and then from some strong words from Ken, he was called back with the "good news" they can get it in the 10th). But he is questioning now whether to go through.
Here is the history. Trying to not make it too long.
We had our first consult with surgeon on Tuesday, Jan. 16. When we asked how far scheduling was, he said last week of February would be when we could get in. When we went out we talked to the receptionist and he said "try to schedule for last week of February." He told us his surgical scheduler would call in next couple days with appointment dates (different than the receptionist).
Well, didn't hear from her at the end of that week so Monday came around and we called. We probably got transferred four times. Second person said we were on schedule for pre-surgery consult on February 16, so surgery "looked" like it should be last week in February, but wasn't on her calendar. Transferred to nurse. Nurse didn't know why they transferred us to her, transferred back. Transferred to surgery schedule person, who put us on hold for about 15 minutes.
Finally she said we weren't on the surgery schedule. Earliest could get in was April 3rd. We were kinda annoyed, and felt that we had fallen between the cracks (they have just moved into a brand new center and I had noticed it looked like a lot of new people were being trained on computers, procedures etc. when we were at appointments, so attributed it to that). So she rescheduled our pre-surgery consult, a blood thing at the hospital, and said she would be sending out a packet in the next week with all our information. That was on Monday, Jan 22.
Well, we hadn't gotten the packet yet, I had a bad feeling and reminded Ken how they screwed the last thing up, so called today. She looked us up and said, "ok, well I have you scheduled for April 17th. I try to send them out about two months before surgery." We said no, it is the 3rd. She basically said "oh, I had to reschedule that due to the schedule, we aren't doing surgery the week of the 3rd."
What's worse is who was going to tell us this??? If we hadn't called today WHEN would we have found this out?? Ken flipped a lid a bit. She did call back and say that she found an opening on the 10th, which is only one week later.
But still the lack of communication from his scheduling/support staff is starting to freak us out. Everything we have ever found out is from our calling them. There is no communication flowing out to us. It is just starting to disturb us greatly, and even though he is supposed to be the best around here, the incompetence of his staff doesn't reflect very well on having great confidence in the surgeon.
I know I am venting big time. But what do you think? We are kinda between a rock and a hard place now, because switching surgeons at this point is probably gonna push us out farther. Ken has asked for Dr. Ruyle to call him directly (and thankfully this won't be until Monday, cause I think Ken needs sometime to cool). Realistically, it is only one week difference, so keeping that perspective in mind.
Anyway, thanks for listening.