Gastrointestinal pain

Your description makes me wonder if the pain has something to do with the lining of the stomach still recovering from any possible damage that may have been done by the chemo drugs, and it that is the reason they want you to continue with the same meds. The oncologist should be able to answer that, and give you an idea of what to expect in terms of recovery time span. Past a certain time, this could be something that needs looking into by a specialist in that field, so you could ask to be referred. Another guess about the meds is that the ward you were on were probably heart specialist, and once they figured out things were ok from that end they were not going to interfere with any instructions you have received from other specialists. In any case, I'd go back to the oncologist to get explanations and any needed referrals so that this can be resolved.

Hi Greycats ,

Thankyou so much for your reply. I will definitely ask my Oncologist, if I ever get to speak to one . Apparently we have a shortage of them at my hospital and usually only get to speak to the Pharmacist by telephone consultation.

Hopefully it is effects of Chemo , although difficult not to let my mind run away with me.

I know they won’t want to do any investigative procedures whilst I’m still on Chemo due to risk of infection, so will wait see if it eases off after final Chemo . It’s awful and making me quite miserable . Thankyou for taking the time to reply .

Missi, your oncologist needs to know about this, especially if you are still on chemo, so I'd contact the nurse and pass the message now. 

In my hospital you cannot get the next chemo treatment unless the oncologist clears you for it, meaning, I had to see mine prior to each and every treatment session. How are they doing it in the hospital you are with?

I’ve only had one face to face appointment with an Oncologist whilst having 5lots of Chemo (3weeks apart )and one telephone consultation.I am due my final Docetaxol this Friday 13th but apparently my white blood cells are very low so hospital said my Chemo may be delayed due to this . It’s always a Pharmacist that rings me the day before my infusion to ask how I’ve been and to give me blood results. I did think this was all very strange as everyone else seems to be in regular contact with their Oncologist. I received a letter to say they have a shortage of Oncologist so I assume this is why I haven’t spoken to one .

Thanks. Is there a nurse who is your designated, "key worker?" By that I mean the one nurse who is allocated as your contact point for all queries and any issues, separate from the chemo unit but attached to oncology. Is there anyone? 

If the options are very limited, then another idea is to ask the pharmacist regarding your dosages and how do they know if anything needs to be adjusted, and tell that pharmacist about what you are experiencing, and then also mention it to the chemo people. The idea is to get the information into the system and make sure someone sees it who is in a position to act on it. It may be that there is an oncologist, or a team of them, all familiar with your case but not in direct contact with you, and someone has to be able to give some answers both as in explanation and as in practical resolution.

No I don’t have anyone designated to my care , I’m assuming the Pharmacist is part of the Oncology team as he did get my second dose reduced due to how bad it effected me . 
Maybe an Oncologist will ring me this time due to me having been admitted to hospital. If not I will discuss it with the Pharmacist and see if he can sort something for me . Thankyou for all your advice. I’ll be so glad when all the active treatment is done, can’t remember what it’s like  feel fit and well.

Yeah, I feel the same sometimes when I think back to, "before." 

From everything you are saying I am now thinking that possibly a phone call to the Macmillan helpline may be a good idea. Although they will not have access to your medical file, they will at least be able to give more specific advice and help make sure you get what you need right now.