Are there any NHS health professionas who care?

2 minute read time.

FormerMember

29 May 2010

Hi Folks, Sorry to vent off but it would be interesting to get your points of view. My husband Keith has Stage 3 Lung Cancer which has spread to lymph nodes. At his first consultation he saw the Registrar. She asked Keith what he knew.(Previous to this appointment he was told by another consultant that a lobectomy was mentioned to him. When Keith mentioned the lobectomy the registrar just said "well that's not going to happen as it is inoperable". The chemo he will be receiving is just symptom control not curative. We were both devastated at this. Whatever happened to her attending the "Breaking bad news course"? i think she skipped that one. Keith had his1st session of chemo (21st April) and by the Friday was extremely sick couldn't keep anything down. Doctor came to the house to administer injection to stop sickness. The weekend after Keith developed very bad lower back pain as well as sickness. He phoned the ward and they just said "it's probably because you might have been sat awkward in the chair". We then rang Devon docs and they prescribed some antibiotics for a kidney infection. It to 5 nurses 2 goes each to get a line in to administer the chemo so he then had a PICC line put in last Monday. It was flushed on the Friday then he had he next chemo this Tuesday. By Thursday Keith very bad again, worse than before and when the district nurse came yesterday to flush the line it was found to be blocked. He now has to go to the Oncology ward this afternoon so they can try and unblock it. After the first cycle of chemo he was so bad the consultant said they would lower the toxicity level of the next cycle. Keith asked this week if they had done that and they said no it was the same as last time. AAAArrrrrgggghhhh. doesn't anyone ever listen! Keith said if they can't sort his line out this afternoon he will ask for it to be taken out and he won't bother at all with the chemo as it seems to be more hassle than it's worth. We feel very isolated and feel that no-one is actually listening to how he is feeling and what's happening. This is all so very frustrating and upsetting. Is there anybody else that has to fight like mad just to get the service they are entitled to?

Love and hugs to you all Jan & Keith x

FormerMember over 14 years ago

Hi Jan & Keith - So sorry to hear of your experience - I don't think there is any one answer - My treatment has been like Chalk & Cheese !! - Got a fantastic Consultant, all his staff are similar -.The will take as much time as needed to explain the options - clarify anything I have not understood the first time ( or sometimes second in my case ! )

My GP is the exact opposite - my own condition can only be treated - for the last 12 months only been receiving 1/3 of the correct dose of medication - his response when I tackled him ?? - As a GP he can't be expected to know the correct dosage of all medications .

My opinion is that the quality of care and service is very dependant on the style and standards set by the senior person.

I also thing that in some instances we are seen as a case or number - just one of many being dealt with - but in every case we are individuals, facing the unknown and in most cases we are all scared frightened of the unknown - I know I am !!

Only a suggestion but can you ask for an emergency interview with the consultant and explain how desperate you feel - no one should be subjected to the extra pressure at a time like this !!

Sorry to wander on - there are many people more experienced and qualified to offer advice than myself

Just feel for you both

John XX
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FormerMember over 14 years ago

Hi Jan & Keith - So sorry to hear of your experience - I don't think there is any one answer - My treatment has been like Chalk & Cheese !! - Got a fantastic Consultant, all his staff are similar -.The will take as much time as needed to explain the options - clarify anything I have not understood the first time ( or sometimes second in my case ! )

My GP is the exact opposite - my own condition can only be treated - for the last 12 months only been receiving 1/3 of the correct dose of medication - his response when I tackled him ?? - As a GP he can't be expected to know the correct dosage of all medications .

My opinion is that the quality of care and service is very dependant on the style and standards set by the senior person.

I also thing that in some instances we are seen as a case or number - just one of many being dealt with - but in every case we are individuals, facing the unknown and in most cases we are all scared frightened of the unknown - I know I am !!

Only a suggestion but can you ask for an emergency interview with the consultant and explain how desperate you feel - no one should be subjected to the extra pressure at a time like this !!

Sorry to wander on - there are many people more experienced and qualified to offer advice than myself

Just feel for you both

John XX
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KateG over 14 years ago

I do sympathise and understand your frustration. Do you have a Macmillan nurse assigned to your husband? If not, ask at the hospital and try to get one on your side. They can help you, if only by taking time and explaining things in detail, telling you where to go for further help etc.

I wish you strength to fight this battle.

KateG
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FormerMember over 14 years ago

Hi Jan and Keith,

The first thing I would do is demand an appointment with your Consultant. Tell him the horrendous story with his registrar,and take the story from there.

If nothing is done about it make an official Complaint

to higher authority.

Take care and be safe Sarsfield.
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FormerMember over 14 years ago

I agree with Sarsfield. You need to speak to your husbnd's consultant to find out exactly what treatment is planned for him, and why the lobdectomy is not now an option, if that is the case.

Sadly you are not alone in recieving this sort of off hand treatment. It was so apparaent to me that once G had been given a terminal diagnose and less than a year to live, the consltant side of the medical proffession literaly wrote him off, and sent him home to die.

It has only been his sheer bloody mindednes, and determination to prove the b------ds wrong that has kept him going for the past two years. That, and some very expensive but highly sucessful private treatment at the University of Frankfurt.

Without the support of our GPs who have never failed to support G, and have acted immediately to deal with several prolems along the way, I would have given up long ago.

For many months I felt that while G fought the cancer, Ifought the system on his behalf.

Thankfully, two years on, he remains well and leads a perfectly normal life.

I wish you both the strength to fight your batlle, and hope the outcome will be good one.

Daffie XXX
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