"My wife"

My wife has had a glioblastoma tumour removed from her brain last year. Since the removal and de-bulking she has been unable to speak. Also she has gradually got weaker on her favoured right side to a point that she was left with very limited movement in her arm and hand, also weakness that was getting worse in her leg. as well as this she has been getting seizures for six months.

Two weeks ago she had a massive seizure and an ambulance was called. She was taken away and that is the last we have seen her in person. Because of the COVID19 situation there are no visitors allowed. 

She was initially in the care of the 'combined assessment unit' at Crosshouse hospital in Kilmarnock. I called the next day to get an update and was told that she was moved, moved to a general ward (4E) still in Crosshouse hospital. I called there and was told she was to stay another day for observations. They said that she was getting a CT scan and had had blood tests. 

I called the next day to get an update and was told that she was to have another CT scan as they weren't happy with the image as the dye was not given before the scan. This was now Friday and we were then told that she would have to stay in over the weekend as the neurologist hadn't got back to them with the results of the scan. 

During this time and up until now the COVID19 situation has meant he only way for my wife to see me and the family has been through FaceTime. As she is in a weakened state the nursing staff have to answer after we have called the ward to ask them to go in to do so. However this hasn't always been plain sailing. The charge nurse has not always been helpful or courteous. I have been told that: "were busy call back", "call back its change over" and "you're wife is not the only patient we've got". Also that she's asleep or her phones out of charge. They don't ask her if she's asleep, just look in. Also they don't charge her phone unless we phone them and point it out to them. 

On the Monday after the first weekend I called the Beatson to my wives oncology team for some advice. This contact was the first that they had heard of my wife in Crosshouse. They called for the CT scans and ordered a MRI as the CT scans were not as clear as they wanted. This caused the stay for my wife to be extended until the results of the MRI. On the Thursday of this week we were told that Crosshouse were going to refer my wife to the Douglas Grant rehab centre in Irvine. However there weren't any beds. 

After her second weekend I attended the Beatson to speak to my wives oncologist. Thye gave me the results of the scan and told me that my wife could make some recovery to her mobility but because of her tumour and the seizure it could take longer than other patients. I explained about the referral to Douglas Grant and they said this was the best place for her to rehabilitate and receive physiotherapy. 

On the Tuesday and Wednesday I have been calling to ask about the referral to the Douglas Grant. I've been told that Crosshouse are waiting on the Beatson to give them the results and information from the meeting. On contacting the oncologist I've been assured that they have called Crosshouse twice. I have also been told that her mobility is so bad that the Douglas Grant might not want her. I was told that social services would visit my home to asses the suitability for discharge. 

So to conclude. Two weeks of asking for information, calling the ward to feeling like a hindrance just to speak to my wife. All this time my wife is looking at four walls. No TV. Her phone rarely charged. Her washing only sent down once. Not enough physiotherapy input. The lack of communication is a disgrace.  I felt that the attitude of one of the nurses was appalling. My wives named nurses have been helpful but unfortunately unable to give me information they don't have.