Always keep a check on appointments

Hi a few people on forum know me 

Been living with my uninvited guest (cancer), was diagnosed Feb 2016.

Cancer count (psa) at start was 1581 had hormone therapy and cemotherapy, in Feb 2018 it was 0.03 so two years to go to lowest.

Then rising slowly Oct 2020 it was 2.2 should have had check January, was busy wife not very well didn't realise no letter came, realised phoned up early March got appointment next day, so mad rush to get blood tests done that morning for appointment in afternoon.

As you can guess tests not through. Wasn't to bothered. Getting towards next appointment checked it myself got blood done waited couple of days then phoned again appointment next day. Psa 26.5 rather shocked about that, still don't know what results from last test was before if it was rising could have got things sorted for treatment options three months earlier.if oncologist had checked would have noticed rise and sorted things sooner probably having treatment now.?? 

Know hospitals are very busy just now but it's the patient who suffer especially when we have to sort out our own appointments what would have happened if i hadn't realised and bothered to phone up. 

Got a long wait now for CT and bone scans then another blood test, should be on more meds to try to help. Whenever prescription comes through, could be another three months. 

Sorry just having a rant. 

P.s still looking after my better half.Brenda and getting. Meds down the dog, Bella. 

Have to tidy the house soon haven't bothered last few days. 

Billy 

  • BillyGoat 

    Ahh Billy its not good but its good you are keeping an eye on things and are on  the ball with it all.

    It seems like you have yoir hands  full allready   as your caring for your wife.i do think this Corona Virus is hallting a lot of things , and as you so rightly say its the parients that suffer. But im sure it must be a difficult  time for all who work in the NHS as well. As they must have a backlog of people to be seen and treated. 

    Keep your chin up Billy , i hooe your  bone scans and any other scans you have materilise quicker than your participating.  And that the result  are good ones.

    I must say i was lucky i didn't even know i had to have a bone scan or ct scan 

    I got a call last wed ( a cancellation ( for bone scan so had that the  same day)  i was called.

    And when I got home i.had another call with a medsage ledt to call hospital and i had ct scan the very nxt day on the Thursaday, so even though i am.waitimg on.the results i cant complain.

    Take care Billy  speak soon x.

  • Billy

    Hi, you're right to rant - and have every right to do so!  Its pants that you have to do so much and have inadequate support that should be there when you need important things like communication re reminders.  The NHS is great but communication (inter-departmental & with patients) as well as planning & organising are areas where they definitely could do better, you highlight unfortunately that it is really important that we ensure we don't slip through any nets and get what we want when we should have it/need it.

    I hope that you're feeling somewhat better now, you've provided so much support to many on this forum and I do hope you continue to do so.

    Sam X

  • Hi Billy, hope you are doing well. 

    My hospital is opening up now and a lot more people are coming in. I feel they are not prepared - almost a case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.

    You are right to keep a close eye on things. Continue to do so especially with the extra responsibilities of caring for your wife. We all have to be our own best advocates. Difficult, eh? 

    All best, 

     

    Ceyenne