I presented to my hospital day 1 with pain and was admitted late afternoon on a weekday. Dr's diagnosed acute appendicitis on CT scan and arranged RFDS flight to Perth for Surgery. Flight to Perth was delayed due to other emergencies and finally made it to SCGH early evening the next day. At this stage I felt the care by Dr's in my town and RFDS staff were absolutely amazing. Gowned and ready for surgery and moved to a ward at SCGH later that evening and told surgery will be in the morning. However, I did not have surgery for my acute appendicitis until early afternoon two days later - 3 days after being admitted to hospital. The appendix had turned gangrene and had "exploded" and my entire right illiac fossa was filled with puss. Post surgery I had an ileus of the bowel and gastric nasal tube due to non-stop vomiting. I did not eat for 8 days. I was told by the surgeon I was a very very lucky person.
When I asked during the wait time why I kept being moved down the surgery list I understand I was advised the other people were more urgent than me with their, I believe, broken knees and broken wrists. My Dr in my town could not believe they made me wait so long as they had a diagnosis and I am lucky that I did not die from the sepsis in my abdomen. I understand acute appendicitis needs to treated immediately. When I read my discharge summary I was horrified at what had happened to me as I felt no one really explained anything other than to say that I was very unwell.
"Waiting too long for surgery with acute appendicitis"
About: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital / Surgical Services Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Surgical Services Nedlands 6009
Posted by Summerdays (as ),
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