My mum is diagnosed with cancer in her lungs & groin, that was two years ago. She has been treated by Christies but has now been told that there is nothing more they can do for her.
Since being discharged from the hospital she has had little or no contact from services, including Macmillan nurses. In the past she has been given equipment from social services & the hospital to help her around the home. She has had a telephone call from the Macmillan nurse but has never seen her (Maybe once?)
My mum does attend the local hospice day hospital for part of the year, one day a week, which she really enjoys. The thing is she doesn't accept Wiltshire Farm foods or home care which seems to offered continually. The reasons are that these services are expensive and she has the help she needs from my son and I. In terms of personal hygiene etc. she struggles to manage herself. This is what she wants because, as far as possible she wants to remain as independent as possible in her home.
The point I'm getting to is that this weekend my mum called the GP because she has been suffering pain from temporal arteitis. She asked for steroids but the doctor wanted blood tests first. On Saturday the District Nurse called for the samples. LAter that day the oon call doctor telephoned and asked her to go to the local hospital for blood matching as she need a blood transfusion due to low heamoglobin. Her level was 7 and so I believe 6.5 is life threatening (I stand to be corrected here)
My thoughts are that my mum should be receiving much closer support and much more regular visits to monitor her condition. I believe if this was the case the low heamoglobin issue could well have been spotted earlier and dealt with sooner before it became almost life threatening.
I have absolutely no clue about the services and support she should expect.
Maybe someone browsing this blog might be able to help?
