Spoke with Andrea

Oh Karen, I'm so sorry to hear that!  I have been following you for about a year now and have had glimpes of your situation from your posts and I can't even begin to tell you how much I sympathize with your case.  You are truly a person caught in the system and you are the people we should be lobbying for.   The rest of us who only have a wait in front of us need to realize there are people out there who need the criteria opened, even if it screws it up for us (the waiters).   Fortunately, most of us have the ability to make it happen (through waiting, second job, loans, etc) but those options aren't even open to you. 

If there was some kind of philanthopist  program that helps individuals who are challenged socially or financially, would that be an option for you (do you have someone who can stay with your handicapped dependant? or is temp. homecare an option?)  Has anyone heard of a program like that?  I remember watching an episode on CKY a few years ago about an obese man who needed life saving bariatric surgery and after exhausting all options, service clubs (not sure if it was Kinsmen or Rotary or something like that) raised the money and he was successfuly done.  Does anyone else remember that?  I know it was a small town in southern Manitoba........

Not sure if you are comfortable with that idea as it opens you up to public opinions (which are not always kind) but if it could be handled discreetly, it might at least give you some hope...

Just an idea Karen, hope you feel better and don't give up yet, I know you've been on this road a long long time.

NGD

 If you hear anything from BC, Karen, I'd love if you posted it. I could call but haven't the heart left either.
As far as I know Alberta is closed, but maybe there is an exception if you had an earlier referral.
Kind of scary that Alberta stopped taking out of province because they had issues with complications...but mexico is still an option.
I spend a lot of time defending our health care system...what a joke.

 Contact weight wise in Edmonton alberta as they still take out of province it was red deer , Calgary that closed their criteria to rest of us. The link is on my other thread

Hi Karen,

My heart breaks for you, I know how it feels to have to wait a ridiculous amount of time, so I could only imagine what you are feeling today. 
Have you applied and been rejected in Manitoba?  If so, at least the good news for you would be that when they open up the criteria, you may be one of the ones that bumps back into that group that moves up the list. 
I really hope for you that's the case!

I did apply here in Manitoba and it's been just over a year since I got my rejection letter. I am hoping that the criteria will open up but not holding my breath. I sure don't want to bump people but it is my wish that the government will soon make a decision regarding funding and this will become a fully funtional program. I think the fact that other clinincs are not taking people from outside their province of residence should tell them that this program is very much needed.

I did actually get Andrea to return my third call for help but I wasn't home so hoping she will phone back this afternoon.

Notorious, I could probably find someone to watch Dwayne for a few days, it would be very hard on him and them but it would be doable with lots of preparation. It would mean I would have to go by myself as Brian would have to stay back with him as well. He's one of the reasons I want to be healthy so that I am here for him to provide support even as he grows and leaves home for as long as possible. I'm sure there are people/organizations that would help, it's just knowing where to go.

Hi Karen,

You can't look at it as bumping anyone! You got the referral, you were rejected for whatever reason they decided, so you deserve to be bumped up the list when the criteria opens up.
I am praying for you. 

Are you saying that even if you don't meet the requirements you should get a referal because if they open the program they will put you ahead ?  My BMI is too large so I don't qualify . 

That's what I interpreted from what I heard from Andrea today.

 not exactly...if you applied previously but were told you didn't meet teh criteria you will still be "on the list" your referral goes ahead of new referrals. So if you applied a year ago and were told you didn't fit...when the criteria opens up you will be put back on the list, I assume in order of application.

I wasn't aware of the criteria for manitoba when I had my Dr refer me but when I got my rejection letter( my BMI is too high), it stated that I did not meet current criteria and that my name was placed on a wait list for when the criteria broadened. It then suggested that I have my family Dr refer out of province for surgery.
I don't know if they are still compiling a wait list for future surgeries or not. I don't know if that means when they open the criteria that they slot us in r if we wait the 18to 30 months like new referrals....