Woken up early this morning 6 ish because of aching in my arm. Usually repositioning helps, but this morning it just kept on aching. I left hubby snoring away and went to fill the hotwater bottle to apply as instructed. Climbed back into bed with the morning paper ( get our delivered really early) and balancing HWB along the length of my arm settled to read the headlines and before page three or four I had dozed off again! When I eventually woke at 8 I didn't feel too good. Decided to have a shower but then noticed I had a raised red mark tracking up said arm! It was extremely sore to touch and very stiff to move so thought I had better follow instructions on the PICC line card I was given and ring the treatment centre for advice. Took my tempertaure first after I noticed that they would want to know if I had one, and blow me I did! Only 38.2
Dutifully rang the number on the card I was given, and explained my symtoms and by now concern. Wrong!! I got told, in no uncertain terms, that this was an emergency number for patients who had already started their chemotherapy and I should not have rung it! So I said so what do I do then, should I not be concerned and just keep taking the paracetamol ? She sharply said you should ring your GP surgery! She was most officious and spoke to me like a autocratic head mistress! Felt like a naughty school girl. I tried to explain that this was not made clear to me when I was given the card by the chemo nurse last Tuesday who told me if I had any of the symptoms on the back of the card I had to ring that number immediately and as I had 3 of the symptoms this morning I thought I was doing the right thing! They certainly made no mention of the fact that I was only to contact the number once I started the treament!
Duely reprimanded I rang the GP out of hours service and within 10 minutes a GP had rung me back and said I needed to go into to the Out of Hours clinic at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital and they would ring with an appointment. They rang almost straight away and so hubby and I had to traipse all the way there. Was seen very promptly by a jolly bearded doctor who was very reassuring and didn't make me feel as if I was wasting his time and yes I have an infection! Typical! Apparently it is quite common and is a localised infection in the cells and not one that will track through the PICC line. That was an immense relief and so another trip to the pharmacy this time for a course of antibiotics. ( Exemption card arrived through the post this morning - excellent timing!) Now taking so many pills I am surprised I am not rattling. Had to write down a timetable as some have to be taken on an empty stomach or a hour before food and others with food! Some 4 hourly and some 6 hourly! Seems like I am taking something every hour of the day! Still let's hope the antibiotics do their job and it all settles down before Tuesday and doesn't delay things.
Will probably be too frightened to ring the emergency line with a probelm now even when I do start the chemo next week! You would think they would have a little more understanding. They may know all about PICC lines etc and when and when not to panic but I am new to all this and after all they tell you about all the complications that may occur from the PICC insertion and make sure you understand them and emphsise that you must ring straight away in the eventuallity what can they expect. Getting crosser as I type this! No doubt the blood pressure is now sky high again!
Sorry about the rant but feel better for it!.
Thanks to those who commented on my last blog you both put my mind at rest regarding the tattoos! And yes Drew, have already started slathering on the emolient cream night and day thanks! Have heeded you warning!
FormerMember
Peta, it seems to me that the person who spoke to you in such an unfeeling way is in the wrong job. It would have taken only seconds to either reassure you or give you some advice. As a nurse myself I find it abhorent that some so called health care professionals can be so callous. I believe in treating people as I would like either myself or someone belonging to me to be treated. It makes you step back and think about what you are doing and treat people as you would like either yourself or someone belonging to you to be treated.
Good luck with your treatment and don't let this put you off ringing for advice in the future. Remember she is only one person. Most I am sure would treat you with respect and compassion.
is when the emergency nurse gives you a hard time, always ask for their name, and ask about it next time you go in. Nobody is going to be rotten when their name is used to the Oncologist/head of nursing in the Cancer centre.
If my Oncologist has told me to phone for flu like symptoms or dehydration, I will ring, regardless of how I am spoken to. Ask for the duty registrar if it is out of hours, and knowing illness, it almost certainly will be.
I phoned NHS Direct when I was having trouble with post surgical infection, and she was very helpful. Sometimes, if you don't KNOW something is serious, it is useful to be able to talk to a professional for guidance.
My mother is receiving her treatment at the K&C hospital too. I hope that if she has to call that number she will not be treated like that, if she is, there will be a huge kerfuffle from number one son.
Had been feeling sorry for myself until a read your blog, you have been treated really badly and a letter of complaint is due, I have worked in a hospital for over 20 years and believe me the one thing they take notice of is complaints.
I do hope you will soon be feeling better once the pills start working, I had my first chemo this week and have been feeling really down and poorly, upset stomach etc. but anyway my family are coming today so I must cheer up somewhat, especially for my little grandaughter.l This horrid disease is really getting me down.
