"Experience regarding treatment for cancer"

I was referred to the Townville for Hospital for bleeding post-menopausal early this year. I was seen by the registrar at the Women's clinic and told that I had a particular condition whereby he needed to obtain a specimen from my uterus and that this could be done that day.

When I voiced that I was bleeding excessively now wearing incontinent pull ups and embarrassed, he called on his Locum Consultant who told me it was a hospital and I should not be embarrassed. After further discussion it was decided that I would require surgery and that a recommendation of a Mirena be put in reduce the bleeding.

At my follow-up visit a different registrar saw me and started the conversation that we are here to talk about your plan of care and asked what plan of care and then told that I had cancer and sat in the office for an hour while he complied the letter for the gynaecological oncologist.

Then a flurry of calls re surgery and I had not yet seen the gynaecological oncologist. My own family position was difficult.

When I did see the gynaecological oncologist it was decided that I could have the surgery in 4 weeks when my family situation was better.

The Friday before the surgery I was told that I needed to be at the hospital on Monday as the gynaecological oncologist was a different surgeon than the one I saw 4 weeks earlier. A day that I planned to relax and have some quality time with my family. Waiting time that day over 2 hours.

I arrived early on the morning of my surgery to be admitted.  Had support of my family who sat with me. The day previously I asked if this was OK and was told that this was not a problem. On the day when I was admitted was told I could have only one support person with me in the OT waiting room so decided that I would wait with my family in the main area.

I was then approached by a nurse who took me into a room and said that I needed to have a Heparin injection when I asked why I was told that the anaesthetist ordered it and had no time to explain. I believe this should have been discussed at pre-admission.

At 10.00am on the day I was called back into the OT area to be told that my operation was on hold and might even be cancelled due to a bed shortage at the hospital. Yes I did lose the plot and was very angry.

I do have to thank the young anaesthetist who came and spoke to me and I could see that he was also visibly upset as well. What could he do – this was the hospital system.

I decided it was best for everyone that I redress and take a walk. I was called backed at 11.00am and told that surgery was happening.

My family waited and when I was in recovery not one of them was allowed to sit with me. I did not have a bed till 7pm that night.

My experience in hospital was very mixed to caring and not caring. I failed trail of voiding twice when my catheter was removed. Did not see the surgeon again. Heard the registrar tell the staff that I was a whinger. Treated by one staff member as I thought - as if I was a child who spoke to me lik I was a three old (I do have grey hair).

Other staff I saw were compassionate and caring and I could not thank them enough.

I am now three weeks post surgery and will be seeing the third gynaecological oncologist tomorrow with my results.