Waiting lists for brain tumor surgery is very long!

MillyMc

I have been diagnosed with a benign brain tumor in February and I was referred to Beaumont Hospital. To date I have only had one appointment(In April) in Beaumont and absolutely no correspondence from them since.

The consultant told me that I would have the surgery to remove the tumor in June/July. I have been ringing them every week for the past 3 months to find out if I have a date for the operations and every single time I'm told the surgeon schedules his procedures himself and they will get back to me.

I have left countless messages for my consultant with no reply. I am 20 years old and enrolled at a university abroad and I'm due to leave the country in September. I don't know if I should just go and forget about this operation for now OR stay and waste my year because I get no feedback from my consultant or any response to my messages regarding this operation. Any feedback would help thanks!

ulinbac

Hey Milly,

Could you go to the consultants office and request to speak to him? Don't put it off, health is wealth .

GhostInTheRuins

I think they give priority to more urgent cases, and if they're sure that your tumour is benign they'll put you on the long finger, which can be really frustrating I know. They can't really give you a date very far in advance because the surgeons set their schedule only a week or two ahead, if even.

I had surgery for a brain tumour in Beaumont two years ago. I was diagnosed in February and like yourself given no date, just told 'we'll get you in when we can'. It was a two or three weeks later they called me up and asked me to come in the very next day. Even when I was in there they kept changing planned surgery times and shifting about other procedures. So you'll probably just get a call one day when they can fit you into their surgery schedule, instead of getting a date months in advance.

It's definitely not an ideal system when they leave you in the dark wondering if they've forgotten about you or not. Have you tried to let them know that you have to leave the country in September? That might help you get it sorted sooner.

The brain surgeons in Beaumont are top class though so when you do get a date you'll be in good hands! If you have any questions about getting the surgery feel free to send me a PM.

DeadbeatDancer

MillyMc wrote: »

I have been diagnosed with a benign brain tumor in February and I was referred to Beaumont Hospital. To date I have only had one appointment(In April) in Beaumont and absolutely no correspondence from them since.

The consultant told me that I would have the surgery to remove the tumor in June/July. I have been ringing them every week for the past 3 months to find out if I have a date for the operations and every single time I'm told the surgeon schedules his procedures himself and they will get back to me.

I have left countless messages for my consultant with no reply. I am 20 years old and enrolled at a university abroad and I'm due to leave the country in September. I don't know if I should just go and forget about this operation for now OR stay and waste my year because I get no feedback from my consultant or any response to my messages regarding this operation. Any feedback would help thanks!

I went for an MRI on the 10th of February 2011 and was diagnosed with a brain tumour that day (the day before my 21st birthday party!! ) and was asked to come up to the Beaumont for an appointment with my neurosurgeon the following day. I had my surgery on the 12th. My tumour turned out to be benign too but it had grown so big that it was putting pressure on my skull and making me collapse regularly.

The waiting list must depend on the urgency of the case. I hope it all goes well for you. And best of luck in your studies abroad!

alliejane

Very sorry to hear of your problems with beaumont, but believe me it is not their fault. I too have a brain tumor but it is not benign.

I too had a very frustrating time trying to get in for my op even though it was urgent.It was cancelled several times due to lack of beds and believe me they do not waste beds up there. in the end I got a call at 4pm and had to check in that evening I live 3hrs away.

It is based on a needs most basis and changes daily as many cases arrive in the night, crashes,head injurys due to muggings etc so I can see now how they have a terrible time with beds and ops.

If they are confident you are not at risk you will not be seen any time soon, you should raise this issue with your local TD as the resources given to the only 2 adult neuro hospitals (Cork Uni AND Beaumont public) in this country is disgraceful.

I would suggest you discuss your situation with your GP and ask their advise on your plans.

Best of luck and the staff at beaumont are excellent you will be in good hands

jiltloop

I actually just happen to be recovering at home havimg just been discharged from beaumount yesterday after undergoing surgery for a Brain tumour on Wednesday. I feel lucky now, i had a seiuzure out of the blue on the 7th of March and was brought straight to Beaumont (i live very close to it thankfully) where after a couple of scans they diasgnosed me with a large benign brain tumour which they were quite confident about being able to operate on. It was scary how big it was but it must have made it more urgent as they fitted me in for surgery quite quickly. Initially I was not sure what I wanted to do but after a consultation with Stepehn McNally i agreed that I basically wanted to have the tumour removed as quickly as possible. They called me just a few days later with a date. He had gotten his theatre schedule on the Friday evening and decided he could fit me in the following Wednesday morning. I'm nit sure if this is going to be helpful for you at all but i suppose it may be useful to know that things can happen very quickly so don't become too dismayed.

If you want to get in touch before surgery for any advice or tips pleae do not hesitate, it's a sacry situation to be in but I've been through the worst of it now and woul be happy to share any details you would like to know in case it may help put your mind at ease. It's always good to hear from people who have walked the same path before you i think.

jiltloop

alliejane wrote: »

Very sorry to hear of your problems with beaumont, but believe me it is not their fault. I too have a brain tumor but it is not benign.

I too had a very frustrating time trying to get in for my op even though it was urgent.It was cancelled several times due to lack of beds and believe me they do not waste beds up there. in the end I got a call at 4pm and had to check in that evening I live 3hrs away.

It is based on a needs most basis and changes daily as many cases arrive in the night, crashes,head injurys due to muggings etc so I can see now how they have a terrible time with beds and ops.

If they are confident you are not at risk you will not be seen any time soon, you should raise this issue with your local TD as the resources given to the only 2 adult neuro hospitals (Cork Uni AND Beaumont public) in this country is disgraceful.

I would suggest you discuss your situation with your GP and ask their advise on your plans.

Best of luck and the staff at beaumont are excellent you will be in good hands

I'D JUST LIKE TO ECHO THE EMBOLDED COMMENT ABOVE. once in there you will be well looked after.