New readers start here.
My husband, (Leading Man) was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in September 2008. The prognosis was six months to live, or possibly nine with treatment. When UK medicine had given him what limited treatment was available on the NHS, he turned to Professor Vogel of Frankfurt University for help. The Professor has achieved a much higher survival rate for lung and liver cancer patients by administering chemotherapy directly to tumours, via a line inserted into the groin. The professor accepted Leading man (LM) as a patient. LM accompanied by wife (Leading Lady) made five trips to Frankfurt for treatment, and is currently in remission.
From the first, UK medics were sceptical in the extreme, even when LM referred them to the Prof’s published results. As time went on, and LM continued to thrive, the scepticism increased.
At LM’s three-month check up last week, the consultant’s new registrar was at a loss when he saw LM. He had only read the diagnosis page of Elm’s records, so was obviously stunned to see such a healthy specimen before him. He asked how LM was feeling, and when his chemo finished. LM replied November last year. The registrar was perplexed, so LM patiently explained about his treatments in Germany. The light dawned. Registrar confirmed LM is looking well, and suggests a follow up in three months. Then, LM asks if CT and MRI scans can be ordered so copies could be sent to Professor Vogel in Germany. Registrar had to consult the boss, who while perfectly pleasant has always been highly skeptical of the Prof’s methods. With admirable restraint, Leading Lady (LL) said sweetly it is over a year since LM last had a scan in the UK so is it time for another. The answer is a resounding no.
Now read on…..
For several days, LM and LL fumed at this travesty of a consultation. Arrangements are made for a GP referral for private scans; all is again right with their world.
Then a copy of the registrar’s letter to LM’s GP arrives. Hidden in the medical speak is the unmistakable message that this man in one big pain. How dare he ask for a scan! The professor’s efforts are dismissed as having dubious benefit. And adding insult to injury, would LM be good enough to provide copies of the scans already taken in Germany so they can be put on his NHS record? I leave you dear reader to imagine LM’s response to that request.
Suffice to say, LM will asking that his continuing UK care is transferred elsewhere.
