Don't give up when NHS lets you down
9:36am Thursday 4th October 2001
Last November my partner suffered pains in the lower right side of his back, and was passing blood. He was told he had a kidney stone and given various pills and potions. The pain eased a little and he continued to work.
A month later it returned. An appointment was made for him to go to hospital. The pain gradually grew worse but appointments were still at six weekly intervals. No-one ever examined him at all the appointments he had.
In May he was in such agony he was taken to A&E at the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital still diagnosed as having kidney stones. He was given more pain killers and a cat scan and had nuclear imaging and various other tests for kidney stones.
He was in the hospital for seven days and then told to go home as the hospital needed the bed.
Over the next few months the pain got worse and worse and he got more and more sick. But still the hospital appointments came six weeks apart and he was tested for kidney stones.
Finally I got so fed up with the complete lack of care, I phoned the doctor myself and threatened legal action if nothing was done.
Eventually the doctor took some interest and sent him by public transport back to hospital as he was in too much pain to drive. After more tests, to our shock he was diagnosed as having liver cancer.
Eventually, after a biopsy and a CT scan, it was tracked to the bowel. We are told early detection of tumours is vital but we were let down.
So, a word of warning. Do not give up and accept defeat if you are not satisfied with the treatment you are receiving from the NHS.
Fortunately we are optimistic for a recovery as this form of cancer responds well to treatment but what if it had been the type which does not?
My partner starts treatment this weekend. Hopefully it will not be long before he returns to health and this thing is cured.
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