I received my cancer diagnosis in January 2022 and then embarked on my treatment journey which is still ongoing. This journey has linked me in with 3 different NHS boards. My overall experience along the way has been of compassionate and kind care from the different groups of staff I have been involved with. My journey began with a visit to the GP in early October 2021 followed by a long wait before being seen at Ninewells Hospital breast clinic in mid January for the scans and biopsies. The cancer was invasive and fast growing this long wait time was very difficult for me as I became more unwell.
I found the manner of the breast surgeon somewhat abrupt during appointments and relied more on the NHS Tayside breast care nurse team for support and discussion around my various anxieties. One thing that was helpful was a summary letter following each appointment which was useful in clarifying what had been discussed at these appointments. When it was time for surgery I was very grateful to find out that this would be completed by a different breast surgeon who was much warmer and down to earth. My Consultant Oncologist is based in Aberdeen with NHS Grampian and my appointments are arranged very easily via NHS Attend Anywhere video calls. I cannot fault him, He is very easy to speak to. I find these appointments very supportive and I feel included in all the decisions made regarding my treatment. I still attend the oncology outpatient clinic at Perth Royal Infirmary for targeted chemotherapy and the nursing team there are absolutely wonderful - always busy but never too busy to chat and check in with you. They know their patients very well and are very welcoming and supportive. During the first round of chemotherapy treatments I would have been grateful for more local support in terms of my emotional wellbeing, however as this is not so available now in Perth since covid I would have had to travel to Dundee to visit the Maggies Centre and this felt too much for me when I was very poorly.My surgery involved the Plastic surgery team at Ninewells with support from specialist nurses. This service is exemplary, I felt empowered by them to make an informed decision about the type of surgery to have. Nothing was too much for the consultant who completed the surgery and then checked up on my progress every day afterwards, even coming in on his day off. I was admitted to ward 26 in Ninewells hospital and I am very happy with the care I received.
Because NHS Tayside is unable to provide the radiotherapy I needed, this took place at the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow over 3 weeks. NHS Tayside made all the arrangements for me to stay in a hotel and met all my expenses which made things less stressful. There is a team who make all the arrangements and they were very helpful. My experience at the Beatson was very supportive, with daily radiotherapy in treatment room J and being able to support students who were learning, I even had my ongoing infusion arranged for me to have it in Glasgow while I was there anyway. I was linked in with the Beatson Cancer Charity and was subsequently able to take part in an online course via Zoom.
So there is a lot of joined up working across different teams and services within NHS boards in Scotland and lots going on behind the scenes to make it all possible. I am very grateful for all the care I have received and for everyone who has played a part in this - from the domestic cleaning my room in ward 26 and all the different nurses who have looked after me and supported me, to the radiotherapists and of course the consultants. Thank you.
"my cancer journey"
About: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Cancer Services (Medical Oncology) Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Cancer Services (Medical Oncology) AB25 2ZN Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre Glasgow G12 0YN Community Oncology (cancer) Services Community Oncology (cancer) Services Haematology/Oncology Day Patient Unit / Clinics Haematology/Oncology Day Patient Unit Clinics Perth PH1 1NX Ninewells Hospital / Breast Surgery Ninewells Hospital Breast Surgery Dundee DD1 9SY Plastic Surgery & Burns / Breast Reconstruction Specialist Nurse Service Plastic Surgery & Burns Breast Reconstruction Specialist Nurse Service PH1 1NX
Posted by Sillysausage21 (as ),
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