I was recently diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. The woman who told me that the biopsy had confirmed this - had a broad smile on her face as she broke the news to me. She said she would be my Urology Specialist Nurse, and handed me a business card. I was a little bemused as to why someone would have a broad smile on their face when delivering life-changing news - but I assumed she was trying to be "friendly" - as it was the first time we had ever met.
Since that last week in January till now (12 April 2024), I have tried to phone this nurse FIVE TIMES to pass on information I have received from a consultant appointment I subsequently had, and wanted to know what would happen next. Not a word has been forthcoming, despite leaving FIVE answerphone messages. This is a little disconcerting to me.
I am in a position where I doubt the sincerity of this indiviual, and feel she couldn't care less about me - and that initial "smile" I witnessed was that of a psychopath deriving some form of pleasure like a Schadenfreude.
Am I right to be concerned - or is this the fear and trepidation of someone embarking on this journey into the unknown, trying to navigate something shocking and new? I am seeking help and guidance - but nothing seems to be forthcoming from this "Urology Specialist Nurse".
I welcome your thoughts.
Hi Seeking Clear Horizons and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
It must be very frustrating for you leaving messages for someone to call you back but they never do and it doesn't sound very professional at all. I have two cancer nurse specialists, for the two different cancers I've had, but they have always got back to me within 24 hours of me leaving a message.
As the online community is divided into different support forums I'm going to recommend that you join the prostate cancer forum which is a great place to ask questions and share experiences and to see if others have had problems contacting their cancer nurse specialist.
To join, just click on the link I've created and, once you've joined, you can start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.
It would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment to date into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. 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.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hello Seeking Clear Horizons
Welcome to the online Community - I am just following up on the fantastic post by my partner in crime latchbrook .
I am Brian and I hang around on the Prostate Community - I am 28 months into my personal Prostate journey and there are plenty of us on the Community who have been just where you are now.
My I suggest you take the advice given by latchbrook and join our little band of warriors. Once you have joined us if you repost or copy and paste your original post in the "New Here - Say Hello" section, not only will you have plenty of replies - you will receive details of how to manage you "hospital team".
I look forward to meeting you again in our Community.
Best wishes - Brian.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
Hello Seeking Clear Horizons You are half way there. You have joined our forum. On your "home page" just click on the big green box that says "Prostate Cancer Forum" and you should find us.
Any issues, please come back to me - Brian
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
