"Five Star Experience with Oncology"

I wanted to write to flag up what a 5 star service I have had and continue to receive from the oncology unit. I was diagnosed last summer with inflammatory breast cancer in the breast clinic at the JR. I can easily remember the clinician who gave me my diagnosis, which was not good, and how wonderful she was to me. I was followed up very quickly with breast care nurse and then in clinic with the most wonderful of doctors in the oncology unit. Communication between individuals was flawless and I never felt that anybody treating me was doing so with anything less than full information. I underwent chemo until December 2013 again with a fantastic and professional team in the Day Treatment Unit where I will continue with 3 weekly treatment. Then I faced surgery. I met with a Consultant a few weeks ago to discuss what could be done and we agreed a plan. After previous experiences at the JR when my Type 1 diabetes had been a bigger issue to me than any surgery I was about to undertake, I also talked about this side of my care. I had been hypo coming out of surgery in 2008 which made this an overwhelming worry to me. Not only did this team fully understand my anxieties but did all they could to alleviate my concerns by linking in with the specialist diabetes nurses at OCDEM - who I know well and trust. Before going into surgery last Monday both the Consultant and the anesthetist reminded me they knew about managing my diabetes, and the staff in recovery also reassured me when I came round about what had happened with the diabetes when unconscious. I was quickly handed back care of my own diabetes once I was on the ward. If you are not a type 1 diabetic you may not understand just how breathtakingly wonderful this is! This is truly seamless care, which I know does not just happen it is worked very hard at by people who care and understand about patients with complex needs. The surgery went really well at the Churchill and, I can hardly believe, I was home the next day. Everyone I have seen this week cannot believe how well I look and how positive I am. It is wholly down to a team for whom nothing is too much trouble, too inconvenient or too difficult and a group of dedicated professionals who really do listen to the patient. I cannot believe what a totally fantastic and shout it to the rooftops service this is. How lucky am I to be receiving this level of healthcare?