Pauline,

Hope you can do as Kim suggests, you need that assistance now, not in two weeks time.  If the receptionists will not help/listen, then call 101 (my friend had to do this) or even 999  and give them the full facts, especially your breathing pain. I do so hope you can get help sooner - I am feeling angry that you are being let down by the system. Jules

Hi Pauline 4

The moderators let me know about your post.  What a horrible situation to be in.  I know you have already contacted your GP, but as the pain is so bad I would contact them again.  I can’t think of any reason why they would not be able to assess your pain and prescribe some better pain killers.  If they are reluctant to do this then ask them to seek advice from the local community palliative care team and refer your case to them as a matter of urgency.

If this suggestion doesn’t work and you don’t get to see anyone till your appointment with the oncologist, then make sure you are very clear with them about how bad the pain is and ask them about getting you referred to the palliative care team or a pain clinic to make sure you have better access to care in the future.

I realise that some of the experience of other members on this thread of pain and palliative care services has been poor, but it should usually be possible to control pain with the right specialist input like in Jules's husbands case.  As Kim suggests getting back on to the GP and the oncology department and impressing on them how bad the pain is may well help to get things moving.

I hope you get sorted out soon

Martin

Many thanks for everyones helpful suggestions. I have 3 adult children, two of whom were abroad on holiday and the other in hospital herself so I felt fairly alone.  It was a strange feeling that just lying in bed in pain and I couldnt, or wouldnt, do anything. My energy had gone and I just couldnt move, then got to the point where I didnt care anymore.  Eventually some of the pain has eased a little and I got a friend to take me to my gp surgery where I eventually found a friendly ear.  Things are not right and I think I am more worried about the cause rather than the symptoms now. I only have 12 days until my appointment now so I am counting the hours.

Hi Pauline

So glad to read that you were able to find the inner strength to get help from your friend and that there was a friendly ear at your GPs.  I' m not surprised you felt low and vulnerable trying to deal with high pain levels alone and worried.  I am sure too you were thinking of your daughter who is also in hospital and do hope she is doing okay. We all need 'listening ears' in times of crisis and this forum has proved time and time again (to me) that virtual understanding and support can help. Sending you a hug for an easier day today and if you need a rant your forum friends will be here.  Jules x

Hi, Jules, you are so right - being able to come on here has been a godsend for me. My daughter had a stillborn baby last November, had a major operation when she was four months pregnant in May and is now in hospital bleeding with a stomach full of blood clots, my other dauhter has 3 small children and works shifts as a paramedic and my son lives an hours drive away.  Its life today unfortunately. But they are good to me and I have lovely friends.  But I need this forum!

Hi Pauline

Hope you managing okay.  How very sad and concerned you must be for your daughter; such a traumatic experience. I do hope she is receiving the best of care. Life in general seems so much more stressful these days and being able to share our thoughts with those who understand without worrying our own loved ones, gives a little release. Sending a good morning hug.Jules x

Ah, thank you, Jules, that's so kind of you.  I think we all know the result of this afternoons vote. My MP replied to my signing the petition with the old arguments that elderley would feel obliged to take their own lives under pressure.  There would be safeguards I am sure, and you would have to be terminally ill.

Well. I am not sure anyone will be surprised at the result of the vote and the debate will continue on. I have mixed feelings on this one so apoligise as I would not want to upset anyone.  My Mum (now 89) has been bipolar for many many years and had at least three three attempts at taking her own life (my Dad's actions always managing to obtain help in time). When she was 'between episodes' she could not understand why she would want to do such a thing but often talked of wishing she could hop on a plane to Switzerland and end the misery that was depression.  In the good times she enjoyed wonderful holidays in Switzerland -mixed messages for sure. She now spends her time just sitting in a chair 'wanting death', telling everyone she cannot get what would be best for her and its hard as she tells me she would give anything to have had what my husband had - terminal cancer for three years.

My husband never one requested to be allowed to 'die early' as despite his diagnosis he wanted very much to live as long as he could as best he could and even told the community nurse (When he though I was out of the room) though not afraid of death he would  not wish it on himself.

Kim, I too wish that palliative care was not so patchy around the country and appreciated how lucky we were as a family to have the most amazing support (I live in Middlesex). I am also sure that if they were to hold a referendum, the people's vote may well be different. I often wonder what a vote amongst the professionals who are at blunt end of this whole debate - the doctors - would hve to say if they were allowed to speak freely.  I somehow feel that this is such a personal 'wish' that there will never be an easy answer.  My heart goes out to all those who are disappointed today. Jules

Hi Jules

I can see both sides of the debate and you illustrate very clearly from your own experience those two sides. I don't want to die early, since having cancer life has become even more precious, but I would like the option to be able to end it when I decide should the need arise. It would put a huge responsibility on a GP to write such a prescription, I am sure that is why the BMA were against it. Those with religious convictions of all major faiths were also against it. My MP was against it for personal moral reasons and not wanting to be controversial. I think that the debate will continue for a long time to come. Kim