To answer a couple of your queries regarding my entry of earlier today.
No, this lady cannot be reported. She was not actually rude other than the fact she mainly ignored me and was not sympathetic to my particular circumstances and gave me further things to worry about. She is the Boss, Caspar has not authority over her, he is just the surgeon.
No, I cannot go to A and E. They will not deal with the fluid build up because I am already being treated by the cancer unit.
One last thing has me very worried indeed. I was told by Caspar that she would discuss with me the very best anti-cancer drug to put me on. She never discussed anything with me. Just wrote out a prescription for Tamoxifen. Now, I know this is a common drug to use for hormone fuelled cancer like mine. However, I did make it clear when I first saw Caspar that there is a history of thrombosis in my family. He passed all this information on to Dr. Robinson, now I wonder whether she bothered to fully read it. My brother has had his veins done, the other brother died of thrombosis, my father had his veins done and suffered two coronary heart attacks. All his brothers died of blood clots and my own mother suffered a series of strokes before her death. I also have high blood pressure. The leaflet on Tamoxifen says that the risk of deep vein thrombosis is increased on this drug and also the likelihood of strokes especially if you have high blood pressure! None of this was discussed with me at all, I was not given the option of an alternative drug. I am not going to start them now until next week. I want to speak to my cancer nurse first and tell her how worried I am about this.
32 comments:
Jeannette i think the way you were treated this morning is digusting...You can report her head or no head there is someone higher up the food chain (so to speak) than her...Teh fluid build up is something my mum suffered with for over a year am afraid to say...Hers was down below and the lymph glands removed were in her lower abdomen...The fluid building up made her look 10 months pregnant it got so bad...She also was told they couldn't drain because of risk of infection...They did drain when her skin turned purplish, her abdomen was rock hard and she was obviously suffering from the 'poison' still being in her body...Hopefully your cancer nurse will listen about the possible side effects and the family history more than that stupid woman did...Maybe she can get someone to actually LISTEN...At one point with the fluid build up my sisters called my mums GP...He phoned the hospital through here and had her rushed in...We insisted that she had the fluid drained and once they saw it they admitted her...However they phoned to send her home a couple of days later and wanted her out of the ward as soon as possible...I went up to drive her home after arranging alternative place for the boys to go to after school if needed...None of the nurses on the ward told me anything to pass on to my sisters to give to mums GP or district nurse...I've seen good and bad side with it all and i do pray that you don't see much more of the bad side...I don't want to scare you but if you get fevered or delirious then you have to go back ASAP and get the fluid drained off...It takes a while for the lymphatic system to create an alternative route to get the fluid to other lymph glands to drain out naturally {{{{{{hugs}}}}}} Caff xx
Regarding the Tamoxifen:sounds like the textbook was followed, except for what it said about the contra-indications - the conditions where Tamoxifen cannot be used. Like yours. Dreadful. Other drugs of the same category has similar problems. It's a balancing act, Jeannette, between not taking the drug (risk: breast cancer may recur) or taking it (risk: thrombosis, stroke, heart attack). Some balance :-(
Good for you for deciding to speak up to your cancer nurse, Jeannette. During your treatment, you must remember that you, and you foremost, must look out for yourself and take charge of your treatment. This will both empower you and save your life. I am proud of you for taking charge.
Krissy
http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink
I read the previous entry and then the alert came up for this one before I could comment. Angry is not the word, what the hell is wrong with this picture??? Hon, please try to go to another Dr. for your radiology treatment. At this point I wouldn't trust this woman as far as I could throw her. There is a reason we fill out those history forms, so dr.s are made away of things such as this. I believe this should be enough to file a report with the center itself. I'm keeping you in my prayers on the smoke. (Hugs) Indigo
((((((((((((((((((((HUGSTOYOU))))))))))))))))))))))))))I cant imigin the pain ou are going through right now and all the worrying you are going through.I dont nderstand this world,they say it isnt Gods falt,but,who do we blame?The devil?Just know you are in my prayers.
Jeannette there is Arimidex or Femera. They are more expensive but if your cancer is oestrogen receptive then one of these will be fine for you. That is if their budget allows. Tamoxifen is a cheaper drug. Arimidex and Femera are similar and both have a higher rate of keeping the cancer at bay. Ask about them when yu see your nurse and doctor. Jeanie
Jeanette, I'm pretty sure they will have weighed up the odds but once you have spoken to the nurse you will feel better about it. There is always risks and side effects with any treatment and we sometimes have to decide what is the lesser of two evils. xxx
My mom is on the same drug. You'll be fine.
Missie
I pray you will find the strength to go to the next hurdle ,with love Jan xx
I feel I would choose as you are doing Jeannette,under these circumstances.I am no Doctor,but I would at least want a second opinion on this medication after you have told us of the history of your family.I feel realy sad you should have all this worry.My aunt was on Tamoxifen she very old though Jeannette and not diagnosed with breast cancer until she was 91.Too old I am afraid for surgery.I do hope and pray you can find stregnth to see all this through without it making you more ill with the other things you suffer with.I am realy lost for words and so upset and angry.Try to be strong for Mick Becky and the Boys.Take care God Bless.
Astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriaand/MYSIMPLERHYMES
Jeanette, can you not talk this anti-cancer drug business over with your family doctor? You should not be left high and dry and worried to pieces over this. I am sure that there are people in the NHS who would be greatly distressed to hear of your trials and tribulations. I also have to be concerned about the drugs I take as I have a similar family background to you, but my GP is always willing to talk about it with me. Perhaps if you made an urgent appointment he/she would see you. Hope you get some success, am thinking and praying for you and your family. Pam.
I reall hope you can get a second dr to talk to
Can you ring the nurse who visits you? But maybe your GP would be the best one to contact to talk over your worries. Would he make a home visit? Eileenx
Dear Jeannette, I would certainly speak to someone about the use of Tamoxofen under the circumstances. The doctor should have explained it all to you instead of virtually ignoring you.
Love and Hugs
Sandra xxxx
Wait and see what she is like next time.See if your McMillan nurse can arrange to have it drained for you?She will have already discussed you with Casper and they will have decided that Tamoxifen is ok for you but check again,it will put your mind at rest.And never be afraid to ask Jeannette. . .this is a serious thing you are going through and you need the best care there is. . .and you deserve the very best of care too.
Jeanette,
Take a deep breathe, exhale, another, good! Try Wendi.com it will help honey!
Hugs with Love Kendra
I too would be concerned seeing the side effects that the drug has. Hopefully your questions will all be answered. I was always told to make a list so that nothing I wanted to know would be forgotten. Hopefully this doctor has taken your history into consideration and has prescribed the best thing. 'On Ya' - ma
I was so upset to read of the terrible way that doctor behaved with you today, no-one should have to be treated like that, especially after Caspar was so nice to you.
I think you are doing the right thing regarding the Tamoxifen, I would do exactly the same if I were in your shoes. Surely she cannot have read about your family medical history and not even spoke to you about it. You were treated abominably. Hopefully you'll feel more at ease once you've spoken to your cancer nurse. I'll be thinking of you Jeannette. ~~~ Pat
Dear Jeannette, my heart is breaking for you over this turn of events. I suggest you call in and say that you were so overcome with the flat out delivery of her news that you had no opportunity to discuss import issues and that you need a phone consult with her before you start you meds or anything else. Make a list of your concerns, problems and questions. Go over them with Becky and Mike. If you are talking to her again and go blank, refer to the list. If you break down or the lady doctor doesn't respond well to you, have Becky take over the list. Refuse to leave until everything on it has been gone over. Let Becky or Mike jot down notes on what she does have to say. They say patients in general retain less than 50% of what the doctor says once they leave!! You know you will be in our prayers! - Barbara
I'm sorry you had such a difficult day. It seems like when it rains it pours for so many. Each of us have our breaking points and it seems that we can't go on. Many times I find myself getting upset and telling myself, I just can't take another step. Sometimes, I even get angry and resentful and spend a day or two just struggling to rise above it. So many questions, why is this happening, why me, what did I do, how is this a good thing? All we can do is trust the Lord and be accountable for our own behavior. Even on those days when we don't even know what to say to the Lord.
I will keep you in my prayers. So sorry things are so hard. Life is hard every direction I look these days. God bless you.
keeping you in prayer
Deb
Dear Jeannette ,see if you can talk to someone else about the drug you are not sure of .Hope you are not going to be too uncomfortable over Easter....With love and caring thoughts Jeanxx
praying for you.
Jeannette
Do you have a local Pharmacist that you deal with ? If you do try and talk to him or her about your tablets. You should find it helpful
Dear Jeannette, my sister Christine has very high blood pressure and is also a diabetic (not injecting though). She was on tamoxifen for 5 years and was ok although its natural you need to discuss this drug with your nurse as that blimming oncologist should have done so with you. I think next time you see her you should tell her how you feel and perhaps her attitude will soften although this should not be necessary in the first place. Christine was also very lucky as we had private healthcare and the whole of her treatment (after the first appointment) was all done privately at her convenience and she never had to wait about. I remember that the first time she had to see the oncologist, who was also her surgeon, she had to wait about 3 hours, that is why she decided to take advantage of our health plan provided by work. I am not sure but wonder if you can seek treatment from another oncologist at another hospital, its worth asking your nurse this. I do hope she contacts you soon. Thinking of you. Hugs, Terry x
Jeannette, since I'm away from home I've missed some of your entries. It sounds like you are having some issues and I am so sorry to hear this. Hopefully, you will be able to find someone who will sit and listen to your concerns and be able to set your mind at ease. You're still in my prayers...take care and have a blessed Easter weekend. Linda from Washington now in Carson City, NV & missing her kitty.
Jeannette, I'm not sure at all how medical care is handled in the UK because in the US we can pick and choose due to the fact that we have insurance or have to pay. The doctor's lack of interest is rudeness in itself. Is there no recourse for a patient/doctor conflict or lack of bonding? I would definitely speak to your nurse. You should be able to discuss all your fears with this doctor. She should have asked you if you had any questions and answered them. This just isn't right. I'm saying my prayers that somehow the Lord guides you in a different direction. Love xx Chris
I am praying for you my friend! Hugs,TerryANn
Jeanette my mums got loads of pills she has to take everyday and they all say that too, dont worry i think its a standard thing they print with most pills.Try to relax, i know its hard.Beckie.xx
Better to check on this first Jeannette. Bravo to you for not being afraid to take control of your own health. That's what got my best friend through his treatments. Questioning, and reminding the Docs about things.
Have a Happy Easter.
Pam
She may be "the Boss", but she is NOT the boss of you. You are the boss of HER. She is your employee and you can fire her and find someone you have better rapport with. This is much too long and emotional journey to have a doctor you don't like. It's easier said than done, but it's your health on the line. She may be doing exactly the right thing medicine-wise, but she doesn't sound like the right personality for you. And that IS a good enough reason to move on.
Cheering for you!
i do hope you speak up when these doctors do not seem to give you the time of day...i know they are busy but that is their job... i had the best doctor ever going to the country where they didnt have as much patients as the city did
praying for you
emily
Post a Comment