harrassment from colonoscopy deptment

Hi

Im fed up of some of the colonoscopy nurses. To me it's harrassment. They see it has support. I have ADHD nd all the other disorders mental health etc. They put it down in my notes what i tell them. Every time when a nurse rings me they are asking the same qustions over and over again. One of them even asked me who my brother works for told me she knew them they will let my brother have time off work to take me to hospital appointment. I told her they wont. She wouldn't hear tell of it she told me they are leniant to staff taking time off work to take family members to their hosital appointments when i know they aren't. She also argued with me i only need 7 days notice to get a vouentry car driver when it's 2 to 3 weeks notice. She wouldn't hear tell of that. The next nurse who rung me told me that the last person who rung me had rung the voulenty car drivers office and they told her i only need 7 days notice. When i was finnished with the conversation i rung the car drivers office told them and the person on the other end of the phone laughed at it in disbelief and shock. She hadn't rung at all.The urse that works along side the cosultants and the person who does the colonoscopy told me we are supporting you you have to help yourself. I already knew this im 61. I told the consultant when he was telling me my result im going its all too much for me. The nurse kept saying my name as i was going to the door. Thats when she said it. Its all traumatizing and distressing me the procdures the conversations every thing. They know this and still go on doing it. Im really at my wits end to get it through to them what i keep telling them. Ive even told pals to tell that nurse who was adiment i only need 7 days notice to get a car driver and they still ask me the same thing. I thought about asking my gp to write to the boss of the colonoscopy to tell them. Im chosing not to have the big operation for cancer removal the consult and nurse don't support me on this. Tey go on about if the bowel tubes gets blocked up i will be rushed in to hosptial to have  life treatening opperation and i will definaty have to have a stoma. Tey know i don't wont a bag or have the big opertion ive told them. They asume they have a right to go against my wishes and fatly refuse to support me on this. My mum died in 2025 because of what they did to her. I am hospital phobic which they all know. Ive even had to block their telephone number to stop them ringing me i cant face it no more. It's made me not wont to go through it anymore. Ive even told some of them that too when theyve been talking to me. My gp told me i don't have to do any thing i dont wont too when we discussed the cancer. She also told me if i didn't understand any thing or have any questions to tell.

What can i do?

  • Hi Jen.A and thank you for posting,

    I am very sorry to hear how difficult and upsetting this experience has been for you. From what you've described, it sounds as though the process of having tests, dealing with transport arrangements, receiving a diagnosis of bowel cancer, and making decisions about treatment has been overwhelming and distressing.

    I am also sorry to read that your mum sadly died in 2025. This must have been an incredibly difficult time for you and your family.

    You mentioned that you have ADHD and other mental health difficulties. Coping with a cancer diagnosis can be challenging for anyone, and it sounds as though these experiences have had a significant impact on your wellbeing.

    It is important to know that the decision about whether or not to have surgery is yours. Healthcare professionals can explain the possible benefits and risks of treatment and make recommendations, but no treatment can be given without your consent.

    I understand you don't feel supported with your decision and that you have already raised your concerns through PALS about the care you received during colonoscopy. It can be particularly difficult when you feel that your concerns have not been heard or addressed in the way you had hoped.

    You may find it helpful to speak to your GP again about what has been happening. Your GP can discuss your concerns, ensure you have support for your mental health, and talk through the options available to you. If you would like another medical opinion about your cancer and treatment options, your GP or hospital team may be able to arrange a second opinion.

    If you do not feel comfortable continuing discussions with your current team, you could explain this to your GP and ask whether a referral to another specialist or hospital might be appropriate. Sometimes hearing information from a different team can help people feel more confident about their decisions.

    Whether or not you decide to have treatment, you should still be able to access support and information from healthcare professionals. If there are specific reasons why you feel unable to go ahead with surgery, it may help to discuss these with a healthcare professional you trust, so they can ensure you have all the information and support you need to make the decision that is right for you.

    I hope that you have friends, family, or other people around you who can support you during this difficult time.

    If you would like to talk things through with one of our nurses, please feel free to call our freephone helpline on 0808 800 4040. We are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

    Take care.

    Jemma

  • Ive seen on the post i had written i missed out dont in the sentence when i write they put it down in my notes. It should be they DONT put it down in my notes what i say to them on the phone when they ring me. What can i do to get every thing i say to the colonoscopy dept written down on my medical notes?

  • Hi there again

    It sounds like you have been through and are going through quite alot right now. This must be very difficult time for you. I do also hope you have the support of some good friends and family around you at this time.

    I think it would be best to speak with the PALS department and GP again to try and get this situation resolved and your wishes heard.

    Hopefully a plan moving forward can be made and your mind put at ease.

    Take care

    Naomi

  • Hello Jen A,

    hard place you find yourself in and there are no easy answers just a bottom line. Choosing no treatment looks good at the time with less perceived pain than moving onto surgery. l guess the nurses are telling you about the implications of a blocked bowel because they have seen the previous outcomes whereas you are yet to experience that scenario and cannot fully grasp the realities.

    Having gone through a stage 4 bowel and liver surgery with a stoma l can say that it was painful. Having had the stoma reversed l have now had the front line experience of my bowel blocking 5 times over the past 6 years. To say that it was more excrutiating than anything l have experienced previously would be a gross understatement. but l am writing this today because of the actions l took

    It is difficult when the medical staff do not listen to your concerns when dealing with your issues, but in essence they are dealing with a learner and try to use their gathered knowledge and experience to help their patients, and to not do so would make them feel they would be falling short in their care.

    l am sorry to read of your health issues and concerns, cancer has a traumatic impact on all those visited by this insidious affliction, one that not only plays havoc with your body but gives your mind the hardest time that is difficult to imagine unless you are unfortunately experiencing it.

    A thought crossed my mind that you may benefit from talking to MAGGIES, and  it might be possible for one of their counsellors to assist as an advocate for you in transmitting your wishes to your medical team  and help you stay one step back from the anxiety,stress and pressure you are obviously under., or failing that maybe a family member.

    l hope things become a little easier for you, stress on top of illness is a terrible thing,

    David