I went in to hospital on Monday via medical assessment unit for a "sort of" planned admission organized by my specialist nurse. With my esophageal cancer my swallowing was getting horrendous and I wasnt far off not even being able to manage liquids. Plus the bone cancer in my lower spine and left hip was getting much worse so the plan was to have radiotherapy on my bones and have the palliative care team sort my pain meds out.

Positives of my stay... third time lucky they managed to fit a stent. After two goes by endoscopy they put an esophageal stent In using a guidewire guided by x ray under sedation. 3 days later I can drink like a normal human and take on some puree food. Ive also had radiotherapy on my lower spine and left hip. They warned me the pain would get worse before it got better... they werent kidding! But it's easing a lot now and the zomorph twice daily plus oramorph as required is helping loads.

Negatives - possibly one of the worst inpatient experiences I have ever had. The oncology ward obviously had no beds so initially I was admitted to the liver ward on Monday surrounded by people withdrawing off alcohol and drugs plus a fair share with alcohol dementia. By politely kicking off and explaining I know theyre ill but I cant cope sith this and need to be moved or hsve a side room they gave me a side room on Wednesday. Then Thursday they moved me to an oncology bed in a side room right next to a guy with dementia and clearly disorientated and in a lot of pain screaming his head off all day and night. On Thursday my oncologist saw me on the ward and said he was happy for me to go home after having my radiotherapy on Friday. So Friday Im all packed up ready to go the second Im back from radiotherapy and the ward nurse decides she feels I need to stay in so gets a medical registrar to come to see me to try to find a reason I need to stay in...

what if im in pain at home

what if I cant see gp or Macmillan until after easter

will I manage at home or do I need to stay in until social services can fit handrails/adaptations etc

In the end I signed myself out and my mum took me home before she then had to return to Derby to pick my dad up who had had to wait for my meds as they had forgotten to order them/order got misplaced/general incompetence. Thanks to the stent and the pain meds I feel loads better but Mon-Fri there really didnt do my mental health any good. just glsd to be home with my parents and feline boys now