Hopes for an end to pain dashed again

By ROSALEEN MacBRAYNE

Nola Blackwell was to be first on the surgery list at Tauranga Hospital yesterday for new knee joints.

But the 74-year-old, who is in constant pain and relies on a walking frame, was told last Friday that the operations had been put on hold because of concern about post-operative infection.

It was the sixth time her long-awaited operation had been postponed. She thought she was on the waiting list a year ago but found out she was not when a friend rang the hospital last month to establish where she was in line.

Soon after, Mrs Blackwell was assessed and had pre-surgery checks. Then she received letters telling her when to report in, followed by telephone calls postponing the dates.

"The closest I got to it was two sleeps [away]," Mrs Blackwell said. A pending nurses' strike, since called off, interfered that time.

Packed to go into hospital for the past five weeks, she said she was going to visit family this weekend.

"I can't stay here on my own."

Mrs Blackwell said she was tired of ringing family and friends to say her surgery date had been put off yet again.

"I don't want to go now. I'm frightened," said the former nurse, farmer's wife and tramper who hates her enforced inactivity.

"I don't blame the hospital for anything - and I have never rung and pestered them."

On second thoughts, she said, her bag was still packed and she would probably go in for her surgery when called upon.

"I've waited long enough."