Neuroendocrine cancer | Hi from Dorian

I'm new to this Macmillan forum. Had difficulty signing up and with login -- tried several times. I find the layout confusing; no instructions about what to do or type. The colour of the typeface and boxes is very faint -- the typeface is tiny; I've got good eyesight but am struggling to read what I'm typing. Surely the typeface ought to be bigger -- or a way to make it bigger provided; the 'box' areas need to be drawn in black and white so folk can see them easily. And I don't know what 'add images' is about -- again, no information about what images. Also I'm not sure who I writing this for.

Anyway, here goes...

I was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour in liver after an operation 3 years ago to remove my right kidney; renal cancer. That stay in hospital was awful; I wouldn't wish those ten days on anyone. The routine hospital 'care' staff were borderline abusive; seem not to have any 'care' sensibilies. Twice, literally dragged out of my intensive care bed by huge bloodyminded 'nurse'; to be told "you can't lie in bed all day!".

Very noisy -- especially at night, and when I mentioned this stopped me sleeping well, was offered sleeping pills! I was given my medication as a handful while a nurse waited and watched for me to swallow them. In my opinion that delivery of medication is unethical and dangerous. I held the pills under my tongue and showed my open hands so the nurse went away, then I took them all out of my mouth and lined them up on my pillow to take one-by-one over the next hour.

The hospital food was disgusting -- prepared meals in plastic trays, likely microwaved; inedible. I would imagine criminals in prison to get better food than that. I can't understand how the NHS get away with such poor care and attention. Good nutrician is at the heart of getting better. The whole experience was traumatic and left me with post traumatic stress and a determination never to go into hospital and inpatient again. When I was discharged, there was absolutely no followup; no after treatment. I was left on my own at home to manage my recovery along.

In short, the hospital treatment was outrageous. When I complained, all I got was "sorry" from the duty nurse who admitted she was "on holiday" during the time I was an inpatient. And before anyone reading this reminds me that the hospital save my life, I'd agree that was the only positive outcome. The rest was entirely negative.

I'll pause now and take a break.