Annie's Cry for Help

This is a cry of help at a very difficult time in my life, most of you who know me, know that I've had a bit of a tough life medically.

I arrived in Australia 32 years ago and became an Australian Citizen.  I found it was way too expensive to get private health insurance I also was informed most of my injuries and illnesses would not be covered and are still not because of first having a stroke as a child age 7.

Since then I have had two subsequent strokes, the last one was 5 years ago. 10 years ago I was also diagnosed with MS. Otherwise I am extremely healthy and very independent.  My first stroke found my left side grossly weak and with dystonia.   Due to this my right side stabilises 80% of my body. This has not stopped me from having a full life, having four children and enjoying 4 grandchildren, being employed (until recently) getting married, travelling the world, supporting my local community and friends and generally enjoying life to the fullest.

I have always, until recently had the greatest of help from the public health system however, 6 months ago breaking my right Patella (Kneecap) under QLD public health. The Specialist team at that time decided to operate then after being prepped for surgery they decided to change this and decided to let my leg heal naturally at the last minute. As a result, this left my kneecap very brittle and weak where it had started to heal. I spent 9 weeks in hospital rehab and then 14 weeks with transitional care at home. After 1 month home, my leg was not getting any better so my GP sent me for a 2nd opinion to a private specialist who informed me my knee should have definitely been operated on when first broken, given my disability and ongoing issues that would occur without that operation.

1 month later just at the end of my tcp home care, I fell over again (5th September) getting a pair of socks out of a drawer... so as you can see nothing adventurous!! Once again I had broken my kneecap, the exact same spot with an extra fracture. If left naturally to heal this time, I will have the same results as the first time and in fact it will be worse as it will be more fragile. 

I can't be put through rehab again for another 3 to 6 months with no permanent results offered at all as the hospital now wants to do. I cannot go home in a wheel chair, our house is not yet suitable. My husband works fulltime as a Paramedic and also works shifts. The hospital has told me that I can go into a nursing home to be cared for whilst healing. This is a 40 minute drive away from my home, I find the idea so distressing, I would be isolated with no family or friends around to visit and barely able to see my husband due to his shifts.

The doctors at the Hospital are not relenting. They will not operate! So I once again sought a second opinion from the Private Specialist. I asked the hospital to forward my reports to him, they at first would not send them. I asked again, as my specialist was going on leave he had agreed to do a telephone consultation before he went.

My private consultant stated that a Public Orthopaedic Specialist should have operated by now (it was now day 12 after being admitted to hospital) as we were wasting perfect healing time. Instead I was left lying in my hospital bed, and still waiting on seeing an orthopaedic specialist. He also advised my husband and I that we should demand the operation telling us to request and pay for a private operation in the public system to enable faster healing and a stronger leg. Queensland Health advised us they no longer have this facility in the public system.

Everyone is confused and upset as to why they will not operate! The Private Specialist, my GP, my husband, my family and friends. After being informed of the risks we were happy to proceed, one can only assume 'there are not enough funds in the budget'.

The Hospital is seemingly prepared to take the easy way out by conservative healing this will be another temporary fix, I will end up with a knee cap that will be fragile and snap at the slightest of falls again! Falling is a natural occurrence. My quality of life will be compromised.
This has caused undue anxiety and stress by trying to obtain the best long term outlook for myself and is not doing my health any good. I do not want another stroke! This whole situation is getting me down when I should be focussing on a positive outcome. The fight to be heard, instead of being bullied by the system is taking its toll. My own GP has stated it’s like playing a game of chess with the public health system as I was told today that if I proceed with a future appointment with private specialist they will hold back Botox injections.

My appointment with Private specialist is confirmed for three weeks’ time, and the operation will be scheduled after that. This operation is going to cost in excess of $25,000 including $1,000 per Day for rehabilitation. I am so looking forward to having a full recovery and getting back onto my two feet permanently, without fear of falling and at 54 I have a lot of living left in me.

So I ask, as I have never had to do such a thing, and now find myself in this situation that the only way forward, is to have this operation completed in a private hospital by my own specialist. I do not have this money, nor does my family. I am a fighter but I'm running out of energy...... Please if you can all pledge a little each to help me I will be eternally grateful. Any monies left over will certainly be passed on to charity ‘The Stroke Foundation’ and all funds will be accounted for.

Luv Annie xx


** The 'Granny' Poem is written by my beloved grandaughter to cheer me up.

** I am an old friend of Annie's.  I am assisting 'Annie's Cry for Help' by managing this page for her.  Thank you Karla