Very Disappointed!! Blood sample lost, chemotherapy delayed

Daer Sarah I26 

How awful for you to have this happen.  Mistakes will always happen unfortunately, because we as humans do make them, it's just so much worse when a mistake happens in a more pressurised situation.

You will no doubt be extremely stressed by having cancer in the first place /needing chemo. and then having this happen to you on top, it's just the 'cherry on top of the cake' scenario, so I do feel for you.

I do hope from now on during your treatment that things go smoothly for you and I hope putting it in writing in this forum has helped a teeny bit to relieve a little of the huge frustration felt by their error.

Kindest wishes, Lesley

Thank you so much for your kind words , it really means a lot️

Oh that’s rotten I’m so sorry 

Hi Sarah 126,

Mistakes happen (given that we’re all human), but I agree that losing a blood test is pretty much inexcusable.

In the last 11 months since diagnosis, I’ve turned up to my oncology unit appointment for a Zelodronic acid infusion, to be asked why I was there (despite the actual appointment letter from them, being held in my sticky mitt).  They could offer no explanation, and the appointment was then rescheduled.  

I have received a letter cancelling my blood and oncology appointments (I’m on targeted therapy, my blood test can only be done once every 28 days, to yield a correct result) and asking me to see my oncologist, Dr XXXXX, who wasn’t my oncologist.

I rang my unit and pointed out the problem (they’d scheduled the blood test on the wrong day before, but by then, I knew better).  They said I’d rung them and said I was running out of pills!  As I had not rung them nor was I running out of tablets, they hastily rescheduled the cancelled appointments.  I do hope the person who actually needed her appointment rescheduled, got the help she needed.

My point is, that although these errors shouldn’t happen in cases of cancer, (or any other medical scenarios for that matter) they do, and I have very much learned to challenge (if needed) and check everything, in terms of treatment and appointments.

I take no prisoners now, (but in the most polite way, you understand).  I was once the woman who apologized to everyone, regardless of the issue, not anymore.

Advocate for yourself, I’ve found that it does get easier to do so, the more you need to do it.  Hopefully, this blip in your ongoing treatment is (despite its impact), the only one you’ll suffer.

With my very best wishes,

Pollyanna 

Pollyanna6e1125 said:

I was once the woman who apologized to everyone

Oh god yes, this was me too. I'd be that person that if you stepped on my foot, I'd say sorry and accept total blame just for being stood there.

Pollyanna6e1125 said:

Advocate for yourself, I’ve found that it does get easier to do so, the more you need to do it.

Again yes. It's no exaggeration that with regards to cancer treatment, your life actually depends on it. I've also been practising applying this to other aspects of life and trying to leave my former career as a professional people pleaser behind!

Thanks for posting this. 

You are very welcome, MsC19754c, and thank you for your response.  I absolutely fell about at your comment -

MsC19754c said:

trying to leave my former career as a professional people pleaser behind!

I’d never thought about it that way, and nor had I thought to apply this new ‘skill’ to other areas of my life, so thank you.  Squabbling adult children, (who I spend my life trying to meditate between and placate), be aware!  A new mother is coming!