the local docs
Some horrors from our local doctors.Sorry for length, this is an ongoing story as i write, and is fucking scary for us. It could be happening to people in your local GPs surgery right now. who knows why - cost cutting? The bonuses GPs get to not refer people? Dumbness? A "We cant be wrong" complex?

Either way these GP's seem unable to do much other than give vaccines. Theres the time my girl went in with throat trouble and was told squarely by the doc that she had tonsillitis and would be booked in to have them removed. This all, wisely, despite said tonsils having already been removed 10 years previously.

Thankfuly (?) the cause of the trouble was determined to be a malformation in the neck vertebrae which had shifted (fluid pockets/blockages choking the spine or something), but that nugget of info was not thanks to our doctors - we had to find our own private specialist and pay out of our arse for the MRI. Even after that the GP's decided that as they "havent seen that condition before" it cant possibly be affecting their patient. the private doctor (who also happened to be one of the most senior spinal surgeons in cardiff NHS as well) offered to write again with his diagnosis and some strong words, we got some satisfaction knowing that our local GP's were going to be 'enlightened' as he put it. Despite the letter he wrote (and copied us) giving them a very severe bashing on our behalf, the GP's decided their best cause of action to help in future was to google the condition. Yep, our GP's go to medical school and work over all them years to google things they dont get. Shes registered disabled, highly likely because it wasnt caught earlier. Her mobility is now severely impaired. This happened between october and december.

Theres the time she went in for abdominal pains, to be turned away with the excuse of an upset tummy. Pains progressively get worse, so every few days shes back. They palm her off with excuse after excuse until she checks herself into casualty one night. Severely damaged gall bladder (infection from stones i think) needs to be removed, highly likely could have been saved if she had been treated the first time around. That was a few years or so ago - long before i was around.

And lately, the kicker. The one that makes me want to bang their head together like smashing melons. December she goes in with a lump in her breast. Shes already had cervical cancer surgery in the past. Fucking MASSIVE alarm bell signs. GP's send her home saying they dont think its anything, but with a promise of a referral to get it checked out by the specialists.

They do NOTHING.

month later, its bigger and shes starting to loose a lot of weight (half a stone in 2 weeks). Back to the GP's who tell her its "probably a collection of fat cells" and who claim no knowledge of the original referral they were supposed to do. They promise a referral now, but advise it could be many months of waiting as they dont see it as urgent. Tempers become frayed, which seems to make the Gp's dig into their stance even more. They cant possibly be wrong! (see earlier 2 parts of this story for details).

Again, they do NOTHING.

So 2 weeks later, shes back to see them, only now theres not just a lump in her breast, she is having severe abdominal pains around where her liver is (liver cancer being one of the most common secondary cancer caused by breast cancer). They decide this is a strss related stomach ulcer (even though the stomach is on the fucking other side of the body) so give her ulcer pills and send her on her way. They do finally conceed to doing the referal they were supposed to do, but still, no upgrade to 'urgent' status and she is on some long long months long waiting list for a non urgent breast exam.

So we go through even more tears here, things feel fucking horrible and shes distraught that i emigrated from another country to be here with her for all this to happen. Reassurance is given, and we are trying our best to keep our upcoming wedding on track. By now the GP's are point blank refusing to see her for these issues as she is on the waiting list for the breast exam and has meds for the 'ulcer.'

Another month passes by and now her lymph node in her left arm is like a golf ball and about another stone of weight is gone. So thats lump #2 - in the lymphatic system now - with ongoing severe abdominal pains around the liver, lots of fatigue, a lump in her breast and severe weight loss (another very common secondary cancer caused by breast cancer attacks the lymph nodes, usually under the arms btw). By now we are both wrecks, several highly charged phone calls ensue and the GP's agree to see her again. The GP she sees this time agrees theres no way her abdominal pains are related to a stomach ulcer due to their location, but offers no other help there as he wants her to wait and see "if they go away on their own." He confirms the golf ball in the arm pit is indeed a lymphatic swelling but decides its likely an infection, despite the 2 lumps, abdominal pain and the fact the golf ball has been gradually growing for a fucking month, so the girl is offered antibiotics.

Plenty of 'we arent standing for this shit any more' kind of "talking" (ahem) ensues and the GP concedes to a blood test within a week, but wont refer for an MRI, CAT scan or XRAY. Shes off for the blood test soon and we are positively crapping our pants. These doctors are either inept beyond the highest form, or they just have some kind of death wish for my lady.

We are scared, fucked off, tired of having to fight for the healthcare we all pay for, and fucked off with being palmed off by third rate "doctors" who would rate poorly on the common sense scale compared to say, afghan cave dwellers.

We are moving as soon as we fucking can. I havent ever and will not dare to darken their door, id rather die - just incase i go in for an ingrown toenail and come out with no testicles or something similar. I just hope something happens for my lady soon, as we are really fucking scared b3ta. Ive cried a fucking lot. and for the first time in my life, im not afraid to admit that in public.

Sorry for length.
(shamen Geekius Maximus, Fri 12 Mar 2010, 4:32, 6 replies)

Thinking
Good thoughts for you both.
(Snapper-head loves a twinky anytime but especially when it's, Fri 12 Mar 2010, 6:28, closed)

I've had similar problems
with doctors not giving a shit. Seriously, both of you take a day off work, go to the local hospital and tell them what's happened. Nag. Pester. Blag your way in as far as you can without an appointment and collar anyone that looks important. Or change your GP/get advice from the out of hours service. Or hell, take her to A&E and say she's collapsed from pain/fatigue. None of these things have worked particularly well for me, but in theory they should.

My thoughts are with you - clickyhugs to you and your mrs.
(berk, Fri 12 Mar 2010, 8:08, closed)

Have strength
Don't give up and keep fighting the bastards.

Sending you kind thoughts and hoping above all else that you both come through this together. I can't imagine the stress and fear you have right now, but I truly hope things are sorted very soon.

Good luck and clicky for the courage you will need.
( Rev. Jayneflakes Buy my book, I need the cash for drugs and hookers, Fri 12 Mar 2010, 9:49, closed)

Fuck!
Fuck, that's a horrible position to be in! I'd be scared shitless as well. I agree with the other replies of just turning up and A&E and demanding to be seen. Lie and say she collapsed or something... hell break her arm so they HAVE to see to her!

Hope it works out for the best!
(The_Mighty_Spleen, Fri 12 Mar 2010, 10:50, closed)

thanks to everyone who replied or PM's with well wishes :)
Very much appreciated.
Update today: She went in, they cancelled the blood test as it 'wasnt necessary' but have put a referal in for an urgen ultrasound of her abdomen.

The GP (another one this time) has told her the golf ball is just a hair follicle thats infected. Round and round we go. Shes completely off food now and cant eat a thing without feeling sick.

sounds like the A&E trip is in order.
(shamen Geekius Maximus, Fri 12 Mar 2010, 21:00, closed)

Seriously, GO TO A&E NOW! When I finally did, it turned out I didn't have the dreaded c-word. But I was severely ill from all the other things going on untreated. If she is in pain, if she can't keep food down, you have a genuine reason, no matter how crap the G.P. has made you feel. Good luck to you both : )
(magenta may, Sat 13 Mar 2010, 16:17, closed)