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A Small Shift Forward
A phone call I did not expect and what it means for my next steps.
Fabian Forteau-Calliste
December 07, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes
Over the last few weeks, I kept telling myself not to get too invested in any upcoming appointments. Each time something was booked in, it felt like I was gearing myself up only to fall back into the same waiting loop. I tried to lower my expectations due to self-protection as I have had circumstances where it hasn’t gone to plan. It is hard to trust the process when the process keeps stopping.
“The waiting is its own kind of stress”
I went into the telephone consultation with that same mix of hope and caution. I told the doctor what I have already shared here. The pain that feels sharper on some days and heavy on others. The way the keloids have grown. The way it all chips away at normal daily routines. They listened and talked me through the options. The part that knocked me a bit was hearing that they still could not say when treatment would be booked. I left that call feeling stuck again and unsure what the next step should be.
Then the following day something unexpected happened. I got a call from pre op inviting me in for an appointment the next week. I tried not to celebrate too quickly but I did feel a small lift. The appointment itself went smoothly. We talked about my current health, what checks were needed and what I may have to prepare for before surgery. The one thing they still could not give me was a date. That part was frustrating, but I think many of you know that feeling too.
“Care after surgery matters just as much as the surgery”
I am grateful things are moving, even if slowly. At the same time, I am reminding myself that surgery is only one part of this. I need to make sure I have a proper plan for aftercare to reduce the chance of the keloids returning. I have spoken before about how this part of the process often gets overlooked. It makes such a difference, yet it rarely gets explained clearly unless we push for it. I think I will continue to explore private options as aftercare seems limited through the NHS.
Right now, I am hoping the operation will be set within the next couple of months. Even saying that feels like tempting fate but I want to stay hopeful without letting it take over my entire headspace.
Writing this has helped me remember why I started sharing all of this in the first place. My health and treatment are the main goal. It is easy to lose sight of that when the waiting drags on. If you are going through your own version of this, I hope you hold on to whatever keeps you steady.