After painful 2-year wait, pandemic may delay Sask. woman’s hip surgery by another 18 months – CBC.ca

Sue Delanoyholdsa large silver tray of pill bottles up to thecamera during a video call.

Anti-inflammatories, painkillers, blood pressure medications, CBD oil and morphine the Saskatoon womantakes themto deal with her aching, severely arthritichips.

"What's this doing my kidneys? My liver?" said Delanoy, who worked for decades helping exploited children, femaleinmates and others.

"I'm only 63 years old. I never used to take anything. I used to camp, bike, ski, swim. This is ridiculous."

She's been waiting for a double hip replacement for more than two years. The worsening pain forced her to retire from her job as executive director of the Saskatchewan Elizabeth Fry Society. She could no longerwalk through the prisons to meet withwomen.

Delanoy was supposed to get the surgery this month, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to thecancellation of all elective procedures.

"I was so excited, but now? Nothing," she said.

Government and health officials recently announced a plan to resume surgeries, beginning with the most urgent.

Delanoy's operation falls into the elective category. No date has been set for those. Her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Ian Lutz, said in an interview he has more than 100 patients like Delanoywho could be waiting another 18 months.

"And even that, I really don't know. It could be more," Lutz said in an interview Tuesday.

He said he understands why surgeries were delayed, and called the government's COVID-19 response "fantastic." But as hospital officialsattempt to clear the massive backlog, Lutz said those with painful hip arthritisshould be placed in a distinct category.

"It's not just an elective procedure. It really affects people's lives," Lutz said.

Delanoy is not asking for special treatment. Shesaid she's speaking out to show how the surgery waittimes are affecting people.

She wrote last week to Saskatchewan Health Minister Jim Reiterand is waiting to hear back.

"The system isn't working, so you need to highlight what is wrong. This pandemic has given us a chance to reimagine how to do things differently,"said Delanoy, who wasrecently named a YWCA Woman of Distinctionand was given a Saskatchewan Polytechnichonorary diploma in 2015.

In an emailed response, Saskatchewan Health Authority officialssaid decisions about surgeries were made to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

It said the SHA"understands that waiting for these procedures can be difficult for patients.

"We are continually evaluating our readiness to handle current and potential increases in demand for care related to COVID, and considering this within the care needs of all patients."

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After painful 2-year wait, pandemic may delay Sask. woman's hip surgery by another 18 months - CBC.ca