When we got the news that my hubby’s cancer has spread and his likely prognosis, I’m sure everyone on here will understand the devastating affect it has on all aspects of our lives. , 5 weeks later when my tears are a little more under control we had a telephone consultation with my husband’s oncologist.
Firstly, we were informed that it should have been a face to face meeting, we had not been informed. In my email of the 28/8 to the oncologist, I explained the reason I was sending the email ahead of our telephone conversation of 7/8 to ask questions and closed by saying we would be speaking to him on the 7th. They obviously just scan read the email.
During the call, I asked if they had received the KRAS/BRAF/MMR analysis on his previous histology, which they said they had requested in January 2020, from the hospital where my husband had his Apr surgery. He answered they hadn’t, he said his secretary had requested it in January and again in August but still hadn’t received any information. I asked was it normal to take 8 months, he said yes and sometimes they have to repeat the procedure and tests. I said the clock is ticking, 8 months is ridiculous but I asked if I could get involved, he said yes, just contact his secretary with any news or information.
And so, today I rang the Countess of Chester hospital and spoke to one of their receptionists. I explained our situation and how we needed help, she was great, provided me with contact telephone numbers of the consultants secretaries and other contact details. I rang the consultants secretary, she wasn’t working today, and so spoke to another secretary. He listened to me, when I explained my predicament and took all my details, promising to ring back when he had some answers. Within half an hour he called back to say he had located what he thought we needed and explained he was emailing directly to my husband’s oncologist secretary. He went on to say he had spoken to the secretary and said I had been in touch with him, requesting the results and he was emailing her with them, he went on to say to her, should this not be the correct information, she should contact him back, so he could investigate further. He then gave me her direct telephone number, so I could also chase up.
I cannot understand why 2 hospitals and their teams could not have communicated this information in January. I would have thought a Consultant’s secretary would have a certain amount of clout, and yet me opening my heart and asking for help got a response.
I don’t know as yet if the test results the secretary found were the right ones to identify the right antibody to help but it’s it seems talking to people personally helps.
I haven’t spoken directly to his oncologist secretary as yet to check but I’ll keep trying, I am that dog with a bone.
Budge
