Follow up appointments

Hi curlywurly ( I used to love those ) 

Welcome to the community

Did your husband have radiotherapy and or chemotherapy? 
Did he have any surgery? 

Nevertheless NICE guidelines have him being seen every two months for the first year. 
I would phone straight back and insist he is seen. Your husband should have a specialist cancer nurse and you should contact them too 

I know we are all facing challenging times and those of us further along the road of recovery are largely being monitored by phone but your husband is too early in that to be left to his own devices. 
My advice would be to get back to them tomorrow and sort something before Christmas even if that appointment isn’t till the new year. 
Best of luck and let us know how you get on. 

He had chemo and radiotherapy over 6 weeks they said they would follow up with surgery if needed but they don’t seem to be worried , I have phoned the cancer nurse , she keeps saying an apt will be out soon and don’t worry he is on our radar , but that’s 3 months now , he is still losing weight though not as fast , he just does not sound or look right to me 

Hi 

3 months is still very early in recovery and don’t be surprised he’s losing weight. How is his eating? 
During treatment we are bullied into keeping the weight on but once free there is not the attention. 
You are worried so you need to be seen and you shouldn’t have to fight for it. 
There is probably nothing serious going on but you do need reassurance. 
They should be thinking of organising a post treatment scan as well, surely? 
Ive never heard of anybody being left without follow up the way you describe. 
Where was his treatment? There may be people with experience of the same hospital who could chip in. 

Thanks yes I think it seems very strange too he is only able to manage ensure drinks even now , I know they are busy with covid , he wants me to leave it till after Christmas to chase up the appointment, first working day back I will call them 

Hi curlywurly

When you next phone about getting an appt for your husband's follow up do tell them quite firmly that he is coughing, has back pain and is only managing Ensure.  Not that I'm suggesting that there's anything suspicious but they should be seeing your husband if you have any concerns.

Good luck.

Linda x

Thanks Linda I will , he wants to get Christmas out the way and deal with anything next year , I am trying to respect his wishes but it’s hard , he also smokes which is concerning me , he just can’t stop 

Oh dear you must be quite cheesed off about the smoking. He needs to give up as I’m sure you know. It’s hard and he must need to at the moment. After Christmas maybe tackle your GP for help giving up? 

Hi I too loved curly wurleyd but they aren’t as big as they used to be. 
can only echo what Dani says . In the first year he should be seen at least every 8 weeks , so if I was you I would spend tomorrow emailing or ringing your c n s nurse or Macmillan nurse stating your hubby’s cough snd back pain day you want sn appointment ASAP. 
I had similar problem albeit I am 28 month post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer I hadn’t had a face to face in 9 month long story but I got a response from my Macmillan nurse the next day and have had phone call and face to face 22 December. Please be proactive yes times are difficult but I’ve always been told any concerns to ring straight away. 
hope this helps it’s more than likely nothing but get the experts to tell him that. 
let us know Hazel xc

1. Hi thanks yes I am very annoyed about the smoking but he won’t listen I have tried everything, I have enlisted family to help too but he knows himself he needs to stop but is so worried he can’t , he relies on the cigarettes to get him through , I can’t get through to him he does not want to hear it , so I need to wait for him to connect the dots 

A little subterfuge is needed here. Once you've got his consultant's attention enlist his help. He'll likely tell him his cancer will come back if he doesn't quit then you can get him on patches