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A COUPLE facing a bleak winter without being able to cook are hoping to get the hus­band’s knee operation speeded up because of their plight.
Victor Amos, 68, of Lulworth Drive, Haverhill, has been told he faces a year’s wait for an operation to have his collapsed knee­cap replaced. When he walks, his damaged knee bangs into his other leg and he cannot stand for long periods.
Wife Daphne, 75, had to have both her legs amputated last March through diabetes and has also suffered from cancer and heart trouble. She relies on her husband to help her and fears his other knee will be damaged if he has to wait a year for his operation.
Now the couple have enlisted the help of West Suffolk MP Richard Spring, who described the case as “appalling” and has written to the chief executive at Addenbrooke’s Hospital on their behalf.
Mrs Amos said her husband’s leg was very painful and they had to wait until next year to get a disabled grant to adapt their home and provide a shower. Mr Amos was getting around the house leaning on a tea trolley.
She said: “We used to manage when he could walk by me sitting in the kitchen giving him instructions to place food on the cooker, as I cannot reach it or the worktops.
“I rely on him a great deal and now we are unable to cook at all.
“We’re managing as best we can, but my daughter lives in Waltham Abbey so she cannot be here all the time.
“Our neighbours have been wonderful, helping us out and cooking some meals for us.
“Carers can only help with getting me washed and a cup of tea, toast and cereal, no cooking.
“I would like to get back to getting a cooked lunch and a little help,” Mrs Amos said.
Mr Spring wrote to Roy Male, chief executive at Addenbrooke’s, asking if the operation can be pushed forward in view of the couple’s exceptional circumstances.
In a letter to Mrs Amos, Mr Spring wrote: “It is a disgrace that your husband has to wait a year to have this most vital operation.”
Aspokesman for Addenbrooke’s said Mr Amos’ consultant was aware of his social circumstances and clinical needs and hoped to carry out his surgery within six months.
“We are very sorry to hear of this gentleman’s situation.
“We appreciate that some of our waiting lists for surgery are longer than we would like, but regret that demand for this type of surgery is very high,” the spokesman said.