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Care Opinion

I feel that I've been left to get on with it

Posted By Ishbel

"I feel that I've been left to get on with it"

About: Glasgow Royal Infirmary / General Surgery (wards 64, 65, 66,& 67)

(as the patient),

I have a diagnosis of acute mesentric arterial ischaemia.  Admitted to GRI 2 weeks over Xmas 2016. Nursing staff great. Dr in and out. X-Rays and scans taken (one showing breast cancer because it was too high up). Told did not need surgery it would resolve itself. Discharged home with no advice on diet, or normal living. Seen by great breast surgeon. Email sent to dr asking to bring appt forward before going under anaes. for breast surgery.

Re-admitted 2 weeks later with pain, sickness, diarrhoea and not eating. Seen by other consultant who looked at ct on last admission. Reaction was one of shock and risen eyebrows when told about resolving itself (there tells a tale). Discharged after 4 days. Since then pain been horrific, on eating being sick, now not eating and lost 3 stone and loss of sleep. Fine in am but by midday starts over again. Tried to contact dr or one of their team for earlier appt. or information. Nothing. By April I feel that I will have disappeared. Is this what happens when your thrown out and left to get on with it? If I had surgery would I have been back at work, eating and enjoying life? I have missed driving, dog walking and visiting grandchildren because someone made the decision not to operate and put a stent in. Three months lost when your over 60.

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Responses

Response from Lorna Fairlie, Patient Experience, Public Involvement Project Manager, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 7 years ago
Lorna Fairlie
Patient Experience, Public Involvement Project Manager,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

I work in a small team in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde which seeks to involve patients and carers in the work of the NHS. The biggest part of my role is in managing feedback projects across the Board area, one of which is Patient Opinion. It is my job to give our patients and carers the opportunity to give us feedback, and to make sure that this is passed to the right people to help us improve the services we provide.

Submitted on 22/02/2017 at 10:53
Published on Care Opinion at 11:34

Dear Ishbel,

From reading this I can see that this has already been a long and somewhat confusing journey for you and so I can fully appreciate your upset and frustration.

Although you have given some information here, it would be really helpful for you to get in touch with me directly with further details so that we can look more specifically into your case and see what we need to do here to help. Would you be able to email me directly on lorna.gray@ggc.scot.nhs.uk?

I hope to hear from you soon,

Best Wishes,

Lorna

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Update posted by Ishbel (the patient)

Finally after many telephone calls got appt. to see surgeon before clinic started.

Arrived early and waited half an hour to be called in by junior doctor. I said that the consultant would be seeing me. They called me in and asked several questions about my symptoms and examined me.

Their medical student said my bowel sounds were very loud. That was in the morning. At night time it's like Vesuvius erupting. I told them I was not eating, sleeping. If I managed to eat anything I was violently sick and the pain was really bad again and my stomach was tender to touch.

I said I had questions to ask them. Why appt. so far in advance, busy clinic, why was I not told problems that might arise, what to eat or look out for. Weight loss, now 3st 6lbs. I feel like its Let's blame someone else.

My GP would have received copy of letter from the consultant and seen about my not eating and having to build up before radiotherapy so therefore should have referred me back to them.(general surgeon).

Now referred for scan again (?date) but they said it looked as if it was back to the way it was at x-mas and might need surgery.

Cut the blockage out and sew small bowel together again (?when). Why not done on admission instead I will be off even longer. Prefer conservative treatment (or no surgery over xmas).

They organised a dietitian to see me. Seemingly I'm border line liquid only so was started on ensure drinks. I have also seen the haematologist who said we would have to see the outcome from seeing the surgeon.

I have always thought NHS was great in this country (but this is the first time I have experienced it through the eyes of the patient). In my view. this is what happens if you do not make a fuss and just fade into the background.

I know Drs see many patients but they have to remember we are individuals and should be treated as such.

I now feel I'm going round in circles. I also think it is affecting me psychologically now with being stuck in the house (mornings are my best time), not working, and having a social life and also the fear of eating as I know the consequences.

Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 7 years ago
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 21/03/2017 at 14:26
Published on Care Opinion at 16:21

picture of Nicole McInally

Dear Ishbel

Thank you very much for your post.

I am sorry to read about the difficult time you have been experiencing and the affect this having on you psychologically.

I would be grateful if you could contact me at Nicole.McInally@ggc.scot.nhs.uk with some personal details so that the General Manger can look into this further for you. My apologies if you have already contacted my colleague Lorna directly, however, Lorna is on leave at the moment.

Best wishes

Nicole

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Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 7 years ago
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 24/03/2017 at 10:50
Published on Care Opinion at 14:00

picture of Nicole McInally

Dear Isbhel

Thank you for your comments on the website.

I am sorry that your journey has been stressful and your recovery has been prolonged due to you requiring breast surgery. Clearly this has been a very difficult time for you and I am sorry if you have been disappointed by the communication with the service. I understand you have now recovered sufficiently for your bowel surgery to proceed and you have an admission date for this month.

May I wish you well in your recovery.

Susan McFadyen

General Manager – Surgery

North Sector

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