My wife of 40 years has recently been diagnosed with stage 1V breast cancer, and it is also pretty severe in the bones. She has had 7 months of treatment, mainly through monthly injections and a pretty heavy dose of radiation at the beginning. She has now been diagnosed with a small tumor in her Thyroid. She has never been ill in her life, so this has all  come as a pretty big shock.

Our main complaint is the lack of compassion she is shown by the specialist and the support staff around her, through their negativity.

It started with her having a bad back pain. So we went to our local GP who thought she had torn a muscle, and requested she have an xray. Whilst having the xray, they contacted the doctor and suggested she should have more tests. Nothing was said to my wife. So without any discussion, a 30 minute xray appointment became a 4 hour session of tests.

We then received a phone call from the GP, who stated she needed to see my wife urgent. We were taken into a consutancy room, with the GP and a trainee doctor present. She then informed us of the result of the tests showed stage 1V breast cancer, and also bone cancer. She informed us she would make an appointment with a specialist and then contact us.We were then ushered out of the room.  Whilst at the counter paying the bil, she looked at my wife and asked is she alright, to which my wfie replied she was scared. The doctor then just smiled at her and went off to her next appointment.

At the appointment for the specialist, we were seated with a registrar and a nurse. They then confirmed the details of the diagnosis and asked if we wanted to know the prognosis. We stated "no" as we were going to do all we could to fight this, to which we were told  "you have 2 to 8 years to do so". We informed them that we had made arrangements to have an overseas holiday to be told " You may as go whilst you can". The specialsit then came in and explained treatment planned and we left in a state of shock.

We are determined to fight this, and if we are unable to cure her, get as much time as possible and enjoy our life still. Yet when we try and discuss this with the professionals, they have the attitude that we should just have the recommended treatment and face the inevitable.

Apart from the treatment given, we have researched and changed her diet and eating habits, as well as implementing some vitamin and mineral supplements. We have found a physio who treats cancer and is going to devlelop an exercise treatment. This was all implemented by us, after discussions with her new GP. When my wife had her 2nd  quarterly review, she informed the specialist that we had changed diet and increased some supplements, to which he stated whatever as he did not believe it would make any difference.  At her second quarterly review, the specialist was amazed at the resuts we have acheived. There has been a huge increase in bone density, and the cancer has not spread. The Thyroid was discovered after this and we are waiting for treatment on this.

My wife is still working full time, and is in excellent health otherwise. She only has treatment every 3 months. It is a different specialist for the Thyroid. Her employer wants to give her a weeks holiday overseas. We have also made arrangements for a seperate 2 week holiday overseas later in the year. The insurance company requested a letter stating she is able to travel. They have refused this, as they are worried the insurance company may then take action against the specialist, if she should get injured. Even though they stated we should go "whilst we can".

The attitude of the specialist and staff comes across that we should have the treatment to postpone the end and wait. She feels positive and is encouraged by the results, and then comes out from seeing the specialist stressed and upset after discussions with the professionals. We feel that others have beaten this terrible disease, and surely a person who has never been ill in her 60 years should also have the potential to do so. Or at least try and get as much out of life as possible.

I apologise if this has been a bit long winded, and also if I have upset some people, especially those in the mediacl profession.

But please think of the person you are treating as an individual and not just one of many. I realise they mean well, but all people are different, and should be treated so.