"Waiting and then cancelled"

After seeing about 5 different doctors one finally listened to my symptoms and didn’t just send me home with painkillers. I was sent away with an urgent MRI referral. The results came back with a degenerative disc and a herniated disc. Being an active 21 year old this came as a massive shock. Being told that I needed an operation to get my life back to normal.

I saw my surgeon in late last year after injuring myself 6 months prior and was told that I would see them again in less than 8 weeks for a pre op appointment. Four weeks passed and my pre op appointment came. I was happy as I felt like I was finally getting somewhere. 

I had my pre op appointment and I was told that I would be seen for my surgery before Christmas. I was happy as Larry - finally getting my life back. 

Late December rolled around without hearing anything from anyone at the hospital so I decided to take it upon myself to contact the secretary and then being told that 12 weeks is now the waiting time. Fine, this meant I got Christmas without any worries. 

At the start of this year after still hearing nothing I emailed the secretary again and heard nothing back for a while. I was told that my procedure had been booked in. Finally! Some good news! (Only 15 weeks after my I goal pre op). I went and had a secondary pre op and all was well. I was ready.

I woke up on the day ready to go. I was feeling nervous but ready and excited to FINALLY get my life back, be able to work and play sports again. We were waiting at the Derby Hospital parking for about 30 minutes when I received a phone call. The operation had been cancelled due to the lack of beds. I couldn’t believe it. 

Where do I stand now? How much longer am I going to be in this debilitating pain? If I’m not seen within 28 days can my surgery be funded elsewhere by the NHS? How long will this referral take? 

I need answers.