By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT resident Mildred Davis claims that her ill husband, who was diagnosed with cancer, was left waiting two weeks in the male surgical ward at Princess Margaret Hospital in New Providence after two cancelled surgery dates.

According to Mrs Davis, 55, the first surgery was scheduled for January 23, but was cancelled because the list was too long. Her husband, Hencil Davis, was given a second date of January 30, but it was also cancelled due to the relocation of the operating theatre, she said.

Mr Davis, 62, was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue in January. The mass has already spread to his throat and ear, causing severe pain and headaches.

“He was over there in the male surgical ward for two weeks suffering. He could not swallow properly and so he was unable to eat,” she said.

Mrs Davis could not stay in Nassau and so her husband was there alone.

“My husband is not employed and so I am the only one working now, I had to go back to my job in Freeport.”

She got a very disturbing call from her husband while he was in the hospital.

“He was very sad and told me come and get him because he was in a lot of pain and that no one there was helping him,” she claimed.

Mrs Davis is very disappointed that her husband has not receive the help he needs, especially when doctors told them that he needed surgery urgently.

“Money is very tight with us right now. My husband is no longer employable and he has no insurance,” she said. “I scraped together the little money I had and took him to the Princess Margaret Hospital.”

Mr Davis continues to battle his illness. He went to the dentist in early December for what he thought was a toothache, but the dentist referred him to see an ear/mouth/throat specialist.

Mrs Davis said her husband saw a specialist at Sunrise Medical Centre on December 12.

“The specialist said it looks like cancer and told us that we needed to go to Nassau the following Monday, but I could not afford to send him at the time,” she explained.

Mrs Davis said her husband was taken to Rand Memorial Hospital after experiencing severe headaches and pain. A CT scan of his throat and tongue was taken.

“The scan showed that the mass had spread to his ear-way, and doctors at the Rand referred him to see a specialist,” she said.

She took her husband to see the specialist again on January 18. A biopsy was taken, confirming the worst.

“We were told that it was cancer and that he needed to go to Nassau for emergency surgery at PMH. We left that evening, and he saw the consultant on January 19, and he was admitted to the male surgical ward,” she recalled.

Mrs Davis is very upset about the ordeal her husband endured for two weeks at PMH.

“He laid there all alone and nothing was done. He was over there for two weeks suffering after two cancelled surgeries,” she said.

Mrs Davis said she went for her husband and was insulted by a doctor who said she was carrying on like a “mad woman.”

“I signed my husband out and brought him back home to Freeport. I feel they would not have cancelled his surgery if we had the money up-front. I want people to know what is going on in the public health care system,” she said.

Mrs Davis said the experience has left her husband discouraged.

“He is trying as best he can to cope with his illness, but he still needs surgery and some sort of treatment,” she said.

The Tribune contacted Mr Davis’ doctor for comment. He did not come to the phone, but his assistant told this newspaper that the physician said he does not comment on his patients.

Judy Hamilton, communications director at the Public Hospitals Authority, also said she was unable to comment on the matter.