I kept my appointment today at the oncology unit, which is well designed and very friendly, and saw the consultant oncologist, (Dr Onc). It was not a happy experience and, as thre are other things I'm expected to do at home right now, I'll try to be brief.
Dr Onc was running one hour late. That of itself didn't matter as this was the NHS and my fellow patients waiting were charming, interesting people and the time passed easily. When my turn came my wife and I were shown into an examination room. This was a small room with two hard chairs, one standard examination couch and very little space. Dr Onc is about 6ft 2ins tall, sat himself on the examination couch and towered over us at the short distance across this narrow room. He's a consultant. Where is his consulting room? I don't expect opulence or special decor, I do expect adequate space for patient, relative and doctor to sit in reasonable comfort to talk to eachother, not be dominated by him.
Dr Onc talks, a lot. He is not a good listener. He appears to give good information but in fact he didn't tell me that he had given me RT to both fractures in my pelvis four weeks ago, not just the one he originally planned. At the end of a lot of talk about Abiratone and chemo as two different options, I was confused. When he asked if I had any questions I had lost all I had meant to ask about. I'm not sure of the merits of each option for me except that neither will be a cure, just a means of holding the mets at bay not killing them.
So, arrived home late, I've decided not to make a decision now but to write to him. In a letter I can say what I want to say and check it before I send it. Only after he's seen it will I accept another appointment to discuss and decide. If necessary I will pay to see him privately and for him to put aside enough time for me. Today he spent more that the allotted 10 minutes with me, (so I'm told this is the time allowed for appointments), but it was wasted time from the patient's point of view.
If he won't read my letter and see me he's not worth seeing!
