Hi Jilly,

I am so sorry that your mum has had this diagnosis.  I know how difficult it is to try to get answers from the doctors.  When my mum was in hospital, during visiting time no one was ever around to answer questions.  I would ring the ward before your next planned visit and tell the nurse that you wanted to meet a doctor when you are there, to discuss your mums diagnosis.  I usually found that was more effective than trying to pin someone down on the day.

Also, if they decide at some point that your mum is well enough to be sent home, make sure that they have got a proper care package in place first.  Unfortunately, hospitals are so short of beds that sometimes it happens too soon and the community care is in such a dire situation that they cannot provide carers.  They were pushing my mum to leave with only my 83 year old father to look after her.  It broke my heart to tell my mum that she couldnt go home, but I had to protect my dads health to.  Eventually they had to provide the carers.

I hope that you get some answers soon.

Best wishes

Annie

Hi Jilly,

I am so sorry that your mum has had this diagnosis.  I know how difficult it is to try to get answers from the doctors.  When my mum was in hospital, during visiting time no one was ever around to answer questions.  I would ring the ward before your next planned visit and tell the nurse that you wanted to meet a doctor when you are there, to discuss your mums diagnosis.  I usually found that was more effective than trying to pin someone down on the day.

Also, if they decide at some point that your mum is well enough to be sent home, make sure that they have got a proper care package in place first.  Unfortunately, hospitals are so short of beds that sometimes it happens too soon and the community care is in such a dire situation that they cannot provide carers.  They were pushing my mum to leave with only my 83 year old father to look after her.  It broke my heart to tell my mum that she couldnt go home, but I had to protect my dads health to.  Eventually they had to provide the carers.

I hope that you get some answers soon.

Best wishes

Annie

Thank you so much for your response. That helps massively. I’m sat here writing notes as my head is spinning at the moment. Your reply gives me some great bullet points. 
jilly x

Just thought of something else.  Ask if there is a Macmillan nurse involved with your mums care, quite often they are situated in the hospital.  I had the mobile number of mums and she was great for ringing to ask the random questions that you always think of after leaving the hospital.  I usually had to leave a message, but she would find out the info and ring me back.

xx

Thank you. I will x