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"Terminal cancer stage 4"

About: General practices in Fife Victoria Hospital / Accident & Emergency

(as the patient),

I went to hospital with severe stomach pains and cramps. Was taken to A&E at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy. I was assessed and sent on my way with a syringe of morphine of 5 mls. I was told it was my gallbladder and was not to eat dairy products. I explained to the doctor and nurse that I was due to fly for a 2-week holiday, was I fit to fly? Their reply was, of course, just watch what you are eating.

The 4th day into my holiday, I felt awful, with bad nausea and diarrhea for 4 days. I came home and was back poorly again, so I contacted my GP practice for an emergency appointment. The doctor said it was 100% IBS and not the gallbladder, as it was on the opposite side of my stomach. The doctor said they would refer me to a tummy specialist. I asked why I couldn't get a scan, and I didn't get a reply.

I then was ill a week later, was very poorly, and had to be admitted back to A&E at Victoria Hospital. I seen 3 doctors and 3 nurses, bringing up pure yellow sick, one doctor said we will take you for a chest x-ray. By this time I was beyond angry. I said no x-ray, I demand a CT scan, which a higher doctor came and asked why. I told the doctor I knew there was something bad, but didn't know what, so they agreed to give me a CT scan.

Later that evening, I was put into a ward, where a doctor came to give me the heart breaking new that it was ovarian cancer with mass tumours on both ovaries. I was kept in 2 days, and later went for endoscopy, where it showed stomach tumours too, so I had to get biopsies taken. Then I was referred to Edinburgh Royal to get a laparoscpy done, which I was told the cancer was spreading through the stomach, that I was Stage 4, which the primary was the stomach that had spread to the ovaries.

My life had been turned up side down, especially my life expectancy - 9 to 12 months with chemotherapy. I just feel I have been let down and misdiagnosed. When a scan should have been done when I was first admitted to hospital, and I shouldn't have been allowed to fly. I am just so angry, no apology or nothing, I just wish anyone with pains should automatically be scanned instead of having to plead with doctors to get a scan done. Everyone knows their own body .

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Responses

Response from Gillian Malone, Head of Nursing, Emergency Care, NHS Fife 2 years ago
Gillian Malone
Head of Nursing, Emergency Care,
NHS Fife
Submitted on 09/12/2022 at 17:25
Published on Care Opinion at 17:25


picture of Gillian Malone

Dear Figa

Thank you for contacting us.

We would like to speak with you to agree how best we take your concerns forward.

Could you please contact Clinical Nurse Manager Jamie Doyle on 01592 643355 ext 20828.

He will be available Monday - Friday 0800-1600hr.

Thank you

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Response from Siobhan Mcilroy, Head Patient Experience, Corporate Services, NHS Fife 2 years ago
Siobhan Mcilroy
Head Patient Experience, Corporate Services,
NHS Fife
Submitted on 21/12/2022 at 14:25
Published on Care Opinion at 14:25


picture of Siobhan Mcilroy

Dear Figa


Thank you for taking the time to post on Care Opinion, NHS Fife welcomes all feedback. My name is Siobhan McIlroy, and I am the Head of Patient Experience. I am sorry for the delay in responding to you.


It must have been tough for you to share your story, and no words will come close to expressing the emotions you and your family are feeling or what you have gone through. I appreciate how angry, hurt, and let down you all must be and to feel you were not listened to.


I am sorry you and your family have had this awful experience. Please can you contact me as I would like the opportunity to help and offering you and your family as much support as we possibly can.


Can you please contact me by email at siobhan.mcilroy@nhs.scot or give me a call at 01592 643355 Ext 28069. I am happy to come and meet you face to face, too, if you feel that would be better. Take care, Siobhan McIlroy

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Response from Murdina MacDonald, Lead Cancer Nurse, Cancer Services, NHS Fife 2 years ago
Murdina MacDonald
Lead Cancer Nurse, Cancer Services,
NHS Fife
Submitted on 22/12/2022 at 13:26
Published on Care Opinion at 13:26


Dear Figa

I was so sad and so disappointed to read about your experience of being diagnosed with cancer in our hospital. Finding out that you have cancer in any circumstances is overwhelming and I want you to know that I can hear from your experience that it has been a really traumatic journey which led to your diagnosis. this was compounded because you felt you were not listened to and supported at every hospital visit. Then to be told and come to terms with the news that the cancer is life limiting even with your treatment is devastating. I think many people in a situation like yours would have had a similar reaction.

I am so sorry that you did not receive the person centred care that we pride ourselves on delivering to all of our patients all of the time. It is important to me as the lead Cancer Nurse that we address the issues you have raised in your post as we know that many of our patients are diagnosed through their emergency presentation to hospital and It is important to me that we get better at supporting patients as soon after your symptoms appear.

We have a gynaecology cancer nurse specialist who has knowledge and experience to support you and offer guidance and individualised care to you throughout your whole journey. I would like to know that we are now providing you with the care and support that you require to live as well as possible with cancer.

I too would like to echo my apologies for your experience of care and would be happy to hear back from you to ensure we offer support you and your family and to learn from your experience to improve the journey of future patients. Please contact me either through Siobhan McIiroy or by email at Murdinamacdonald@nhs.scot

Take Care

Best Wishes

Murdina

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