Hello
I joined this site only last month after the devastating news that my husband has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer with secondaries to liver. It was discovered due to him goin to A&E at my insistance following few weeks of crippling stomach pains and being treated for constipation by GP.
He was admitted to hospital as they discovered he has a lot of fluid around his lung.
Finally has CT scan on 21.10.08 after having lung drained and sent home same day with devasting news.
We sat around for a full week not quite knowing what to do and after phone call to GP(who had not been informed of his diagnosis), we were assured he would be referred for oncology appointment asap.
First we were told to attend appointment with pancreatic surgeon which came through on 05.11.08. Didn't see consultant, just registrar who bluntly told us we were looking at months to live. Gutted.
Hosp next day to have lung drained again. They made a mess of it and didn't successfully clear the fluid, then discharged hubby next day.
He never had another peaceful day, due to breathing difficulties, reliance on oxygen 24/7, and the stress of knowing no-one could help him.
Appointment for oncologist came through for 20.11.08.
Sadly, my darling husband, best friend and soulmate passed away in the early hours of 19.11.08, never having been offered a kind word or any positivity. Not a lot of faith left in NHS or God at the minute.
FormerMember
Thank you for taking the time to 'blog' on here. I am convinced more and more that the blunt inhuman way in which some hospitals dispense frightening diagnoses piles on the agony and is completely counterproductive. I am so so sorry that you and your husband were put through this terrible ordeal. We have had news of so many erring GPs on here, and the communication between many NHS hospitals and any other hospital/health professional is time and again highlighted as being slow. For them we are all just NHS numbers and statistics. They seem to have lost their sense of empathy.
This must be a terrible time for you. I have just lost a friend, and my partner expects to lose me sooner or later. I was given the telephone number of the CRUSE organisation by a GP last week, which is an organisation for bereaved people. I hope that you are getting emoional and practical support at this tragic time. Sending hugs xxxxxx Penny
i am almost speachless!!! i am so sorry this has happend to you and your wonderfully brave husband. when i read your blog it made me cry. i pray that you get the love and support now that you should hve had at the end.. i'm sorry for what must be a great loss xxxx
I read your blog and was so sad when I read that you had lost your soul mate in such a short time from being seen at the hospital. Unfortunately I also have been at the receiving end of unco-operative medical staff and you wonder why they are in the profesion when they obviously do not enjoy working with the public!
Thank you for being so brave and coming here to share your story, you must still be in shock from all that has happend.
May I send you a big hug and hope that you will feel able to continue blogging to get things off your chest and be supported by all the wonderful people here.
this story has to be one of the most heartbreaking I have heard as it echoes so much of what is going on in my own life. fortunately my mum is still going strong. like your husband she has fluid on the lungs but luckily she has had the full support from the nhs and st christophers and should be coming back out of hospital tommorrow. It just shows you the lottery we all play with different hospitals and doctors when we are ill
