Diagnosed 2 weeks ago with stage 4 cancer just sent home with some steroid tablets and assured by an Oncologist someone would be in touch in a couple of days. No contact what so ever with the hospital. I've just sat by the phone waiting, tried to phone the hospital but can't get to talk to anyone who knows anything. out of desperation last Thursday I walked to my GP surgery to try to find something out. the GP secretary emailed the hospital but has never received a reply. I eventually had a phone GP appointment and she managed to read my notes from the hospital and there still haven't been any decisions made by anyone at the hospital. So I went from thinking I had an infection to totally unexpected Stage 4 cancer and assurances from doctors at the hospital that someone would be in touch in a couple of days to two weeks of nothing!
I feel terribly let down by the system and that I have just been cut adrift by the NHS. I fully understand that there are people in a far worse position than me but the enormity of it all is enough for me to cope with at the moment.
Hi and a second welcome to the online community
I'm sorry to read that you've just been diagnosed with cancer and I do understand what a difficult time this will be for you. In your case it hasn't been helped by the lack of communication from your hospital team.
When you are first diagnosed you'd normally be assigned a cancer nurse specialist (CNS) who would be the first person you'd contact with questions. I hope you don't mind me suggesting that you give the oncologist's secretary a call and ask her for your CNS's contact details. If this is given to you then give her a call and she should be able to tell you what's happening and when you should hear something.
If the secretary does not have the details of a CNS and isn't able to give you any more details herself, then I'd get in touch with PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) at your hospital and explain your problems with not being able to speak to your hospital team to them. Part of their job is to help resolve concerns or problems when you're using the NHS.
I had a peek at your profile to see what type of cancer you have, as it might be a benefit to you to talk to others with the same type, but you haven't completed it yet. If you're happy to tell me what type you have I could provide you with a link to the group where you can ask question and get support. Alternatively scroll through this list of cancer types to find a group of people who've been affected by the same type of cancer as you.
When you have a minute, it would be really useful if you could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
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