"My sisters cancer journey"

Last year around April I contacted my gp regarding frequent bouts of diarrhoea my sister was having. The receptionist refused to make an appointment for her and told me to use loperamide. This continued and eventually we were given a sample pot to use. It came back negative but dial onto yes sporadically. We went for her diabetes check at which point I mentioned the problem again and they realised she had lost a considerable amount of weight in a short time period.

Again we sent of FOC samples. The GP referred to gastroenterology who said to give a low dose loperamide as sample was clear.  We went back again, the GP said gastro were going to do a virtual appointment. No appointment materialised.

GP went back to them and we finally got a  face to face appointment. As soon as gastro doctor touched her he could feel a growth in her abdomen and arranged for a scan. Scan showed ovarian cancer and in January we were given an appointment with gynaecologist at Monklands.

At the beginning of March she had a radical hysterectomy removing ovaries, uterus, Fallopian tubes, omentum and peritoneum. While in hospital at Glasgow royal  she recovered well from the surgery however she was having problems urinating and a catheter was placed. I believe this was attempted several times, we were informed of this by one of the nurses.  I was concerned that fluids were not being pushed.

My sister is 71 and learning disabled. I had taken bottles of water in for her and asked that they made sure she drank them and told them that she would need to be encouraged. She also ate very little during her stay and was not encouraged to eat.   She came home and all was well. We met with the oncologist at the Beatson and chemotherapy was arranged.

The first chemo went off without a hitch. On the morning of her second  chemo  ( which was booked in at 3pm) 3 weeks later  we received a call first thing in the morning to tell us she should have been in Gartnavel for a PICC placement.  We had received no previous notification of this appointment.

We rushed to the unit where the staff fitted her in. She had her PICC placed and we went to leave the hospital. I then received a call from the Beatson asking where she was as she was due to have had her chemo at that morning. Again we had not been informed of this change. She had her second chemo and we prepared to leave until I realised she had not been given her medication.

No one had brought it to us and were happy for us to leave without it.  On the Sunday following her chemo she developed a temperature and I called the Beatson. They organised an ambulance to take her to Wishaw General where she was admitted via A&E.  Here she saw several nurses including ANPs and had a cannula inserted in her hand. I repeatedly told them she had a PICC line inserted. The doctor made a brief examination and asked for swabs   Then proceeded to ask me about what my thoughts were should things escape and she needed ITU. This seemed to be the doctor's main area of concern.

Eventually she was admitted to the MAU. By this time around 5 hours had passed. I believe the policy for high risk patients with risk of sepsis is one hour from door to needle. I think she may have started her therapy around 7pm.   While in the MAU on the Tuesday I took her to the toilet, she had diarrhoea due to the antibiotics. I did check with the nursing staff before I took her and they said it was ok. I noticed that her cleft was very red and sore. I cleaned her and applied baseline I had.  When the nurse came into the room I told her about it and the nurse replied oh yeah the staff earlier said that. The nurse then came back 10 mins later with Cavalon barrier spray   I also expressed concern that she was lying in bed and had been since she came in and told them she was mobile and I took her own walker in for her to use. 

Her IV antibiotics were being run through another cannula in her sub cubical fossa. I had informed all staff I saw that she had a PICC line available. I notice bruising on her arm and realised the casually had not been correctly positioned or had moved and the IV was running into her tissue. I made staff aware that I had seen this. By this time she was on oral antibiotics  I was  then told her PICC had blocked and when I requested they get someone from oncology or IV team I was told the medics are dealing with it. I requested it was seen to ASAP as it was an infection risk if not working. She was finally discharged.

The Friday. On getting her home I gave her a shower and saw bruising on her buttocks, her bottom was still very red with broken skin which we think was her not being cleaned properly and also the transfer onto the bedpan.  

So far in this journey I have met some amazing professionals who are very caring but sadly I have met many who are happy to tick boxes rather than really look at the patient and offer them basic care. Policies do not seem to be adhered to, nursing staff are so wrapped up in the technical that they forget basic nursing care.

I feel it is their job to ensure a patient eats and drinks !  I am saddened to write this,  but as we are only a short way through this journey I felt it had to be raised.  I am horrified to think what would be happening to my sister if she did not live with me and have me fighting her corner and that is not how it should be.