Emergency assessment unit

I had a bit of a scare, not having chemo but on Abemaciclib which still increases chances of infections becoming serious. Had a UTI and completed a 3 day course of antibiotics as usual but then temp started to go up and I didn’t feel so good. Phoned 111, advised (eventually, they don’t phone back quickly in this area, it’s often the full 6 hours that they quote) to go to A&E. Daughter drove me there, and stressed to all we saw that I needed to be away from any possible source of infection  and could be at risk of sepsis. They left me sitting on a chair by the door for some hours, happy to do so as we all know that A&E departments are usually full of potential problems. 

Eventually taken to the one and only side room, where we sat on hard chairs again. Eventually seen by a doctor who said I’d not be going home till I’d had a different antibiotic  I/v. They wheeled in a couch and I persuaded daughter to go home. After several hours they then wheeled in a hospital bed, and I curled up properly and got about an hours sleep, by which time I think it was around 2 or 3 am. Then after 2 doses of the I/V antibiotic they decided I was ok with it, and could go home as temp had come down and stayed down, they sent me home with yet another antibiotic. I’d phoned daughter to collect me, we got home after it was light (it was November) 

so yes, a similar fairly rubbish tale to yours; but I guess in the struggling NHS that we know we are in now, that it’s probably the best it can do. I worked in the NHS but retired over 20 years since, I was told in 1975 when I left to have my son (no maternity leave then) that it was in the ‘golden age’ and looking back I think they were right. 

Hope you’re ok now and can trust that the hospital will do the best they can with the limited resources they have. You must still notify each time you get a raised temp/ feel unwell that’s not a normal stage of your chemo, please don’t be put off by a rough experience! 

Hugs xxx

And yet Eden  you did the right thing.....

I had a temperature of 38.9 and it was sepsis.It came on very quickly. Just a matter of hours. I was lucky though as I was spotted by one doctor at a routine appointment and sent quickly to a unit that could deal with it. I was put immediately on intravenous antibiotics although it was another five days before the exact make up of the infection was determined through blood testing. Fortunately the intravenous worked and after two days my temperature began to drop. The doctor said if I hadn't been at the routine check up and it was acted upon, I would have been seriously ill or died. 

Don't ignore anything that doesn't feel right.....

Thank you. X

I had my last chemo in December last year. I ended up at A&E about 5 times. I always felt fine but my temperature kept on spiking. I would ring the number on the emergency card and each time was told to go to A&E. I ended up sitting in the main waiting area each time surrounded by all manner of people with different ailments. There was just no space for cancer patients to go. One time I went up on a Monday and went again on the Friday. I was being sick and could not keep water down. They reckoned I had picked up a bug when I had gone in on the Monday. I found it the hardest part of chemo treatment as I felt totally out of control. Sometimes they put me on IV antibiotics which did bring my temperature down. I hated having to take my temperature at home for fear of having to go through all that again. Towards the end I would take my temperature and if it was raised but I felt fine I would leave it for a couple of hours and take it again. If it was coming down I stayed at home. The one time we went up, lady had a miscarriage in the public toilet and she had to sit next to me for hours. She was clearly in pain and very distressed; no dignity or privacy for her. I must say that  every time the staff were lovely and were doing their best but they were absolutely overwhelmed . One of the doctors said that they had asked for a separate room for cancer patients but there just isn’t the space or capacity.

That sounds awful. And certainly shouldn’t be

Oh my gosh I really sympathise with you Eden 

Very similar experience for me too.  I am in west yorkshire. 

Since my treatment started in June 2025 I have been to A&E 3 times. First was due to an infected seroma from re-incision (lumpectomy) in August whilst on holiday in Wales. Obviously this wasn't as bad as wasn't having chemo so not concerned about being sat with lots of people - but it was a horrific experience. I was a Sat/Sun and none of breast team were in and not on call and my wound had leaked massively and re-opened - it was so traumatising - they admitted me after about 18 hours in and out of A&E and I was in so much pain. 

2nd and 3rd times were after my 1st and 2nd chemo infusions - September and October.  Both times temp had spiked or gone too low.  

To be fair the first time was good as I had a cough and was a bit breathless - it was a sunday AM and they had a spare unit on the cancer/chemo ward so told me to go for Xray and by pass A&E - they sorted it all out - I was in A&E and had Xray in less than 30 mins then up to the cancer ward.  I had a room with 2 comfy chairs with my husband - they brought us sandwiches tea biscuits it was awesome! Did my bloods - had a urine infection - sent me home with steroids and anti biotics and was there about 5-6 hours...a very relaxing experience. 

The second time was 2 weeks ago and was the opposite.  It was a Wednesday night - temp had dropped and had shivers - they said go to A&E no space in cancer ward. They said wear a mask and don't go near anyone - I tried to but they made me wait in a corner and people kept walking past. After 1 hour they triaged me and then put me a in a chair in a corridor but then a lady who was being sick sat opposite me and she had 6 (YES 6) family memebers with her all getting too close to me. My husband kicked up a fuss and they put me in a side room. It took another 2 hours for someone to take my blood.  Nobody was trained how to use  my PICC line.  After 5-6 hours they decided I needed antibiotics - another urine infection and they had to use cannulas - I have terrible veins which is why I had the PICC line - they tried 3 times and it was uncomfortable and painful. I was there 13 hours before they let me go. 

I am lucky I had a bed to lay on - it was narrow and not the comfiest but I managed to get 2 hours from about 6am to 8am and I had gone in at 10.30pm. 

It's definitely not what you need it is?   My chemo nurses and the BCN/surgeon have been my faves so far - they are all amazing.