Trouble with editors

I've been sending short stories to various publications for some time now. Back in February, the fiction editor of a well-known weekly magazine rang me and said she was very eager to publish my short story (her words), but could I just do a few minor amendments and get it back to her ASAP. The fee mentioned I thought was very reasonable, and I privately earmarked this for getting car through its MOT later in the year and that perennial source of expense, Christmas. Amendments were duly made, and story faxed back to her on number she had provided. Then I waited ... and waited. In September I wrote a short letter, apologising for troubling her, and asking politely whether she had a publication date in mind yet. I waited and waited some more, until out of the blue last Friday evening she rang again, and basically told me to get lost - no reasons given. I can't understand why someone would do this, especially less than a week before Christmas, when everyone I know needs every penny they can get. OF COURSE someone has the right to change his or her mind, but there are nicer and more sensitive ways of doing it, and if only she'd told me several months ago, I could have sent the story elsewhere to try my luck. As it is, I'm now dreading January, when the credit card bills will come trouping in. If any editors are reading this, I'd love to hear from their viewpoint.