A Nelson woman who has battled cancer says lengthy delays in securing a breast reconstruction has taken a psychological toll.
Evie McLeod was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in 2020 before receiving a mastectomy on her left breast following a round of chemotherapy.
The mother of two says she was reluctant to undergo surgery.
Evie McLeod says she wanted reconstruction at the time of her mastectomy but was told she needed radiation treatment first followed by a two year wait post-treatment.
Her surgeon then referred her for reconstruction surgery last month only for Te Whatu Ora to decline the referral for a specialist assessment.
McLeod was told the referral did not meet the health agency's urgent criteria. She says the ordeal has been heartbreaking.
The 38-year-old says since the surgery she has not felt like herself and that her mental health has declined. McLeod says the cost to get the procedure done privately is about $35,000.
A friend of Mcleod has set up a Givealittle page to help raise funds for the reconstruction.
