Nursing is still about care, as it always has been. I find your comment both insensitive and offensive to the thousands of nurses who care for people within an over-stretched health system which bears little resemblance to the health system of twenty years ago.

Do you live in the UK? If so, you should have access to the excellent MacMillan nursing service who specialise in cancer care. I could not fault the care my Mum received, nor the care I have received.

Chemo can be a challenging type of treatment but there are literally hundreds of drugs known as chemo which are given in thousands of different combinations and strengths. Different people react in different ways to different types of chemo. We can only decide four ourselves when the cost of side effects outweighs the benefits of a longer life. No-one is forced to have chemo, but a lot of people are put off having it by horror stories they read online or hear about without knowing the full facts.

I had only two choices, chemo or nothing. So far the chemo has kept me alive for at least four fantastic years which I would not have had. Yes the side effects were bad at times but well worth it in the long run.  

I hope your friend receives the care that she needs.

Best wishes

Dave

Dave,

Thanks so much for your response. It is indeed great to hear about the strenght some people have and and the positive experiences some people have too. I really wish you well in your journey...

My point is that having chemo as a day patient on a couch, being sent home to cope alone when you are shocked and scared of the side effects is not nursing care as it used to be or as it is required by many vulnerable patients. Ideally, patients would be kept in hospital until the side effects of their chemo was established; a protocol for treating these was in place;  their emotional state was well supported and they were comfortable again. This may only be necessary for the first round of a particular treatment - but is not offered. Many patients are left to fend for themselves when they are vulnerable and unable to even get out of bed. In my opinion, that is the difference between " health treatment" and "healthcare". Patients need some looking after to get through what can be horrific side effects of chemo. In my experience, that care in often not offered and not available. The assumption that they can advocate for themselves, get to the hospital or a doctor, and cope without major psychological trauma is an incorrect one. Our health service can and should do better.

Hi,

I can only agree with your assessment of what should be offered and in my case was delivered. On the one occasion when I had problems with my infusion I was held back and not allowed to leave until I was recovered. Follow up visits by both MacMillan and the District Nurse happened until I asked them to cease as I didn’t have any issues.

If your friend has received less than the care she needs, please encourage her to make a formal complaint. I realise many people hate to do this, but it is the only way management can be made to address these real issues. I know of at least one chemo ward where the nurse in charge was quietly encouraging patients to complain about delays as these were a consequence of deliberate under-staffing to keep costs down. 

It may well be that you local CCG has decided not to fully fund the local MacMillan service - or your local equivalent. Sadly all too often the community nursing services have become Cinderella services at a time when they are needed more than ever.

Best wishes

Dave

I do understand your concerns. I can only tell you from my experience the staff do the best job they can and for me during chemo, radio, more chemo, masectomy and many more reconstruction operations over 5 years I am so grateful for the care I received and am now 4 years clear. The chemo is made up of different drugs depending on your cancer so you may be ok or you may react badly. For me it was horrendous for two weeks but by the third week started to recover and then start again. Not a nice cycle but it was proved that it shrank my cancer so I know it worked. All I can say is don’t be precious, there are so many of us in the waiting room with the same problem and we have to be very grateful for everything that is being offered to save our lives. The staff will give  everything they can and yes you will have to deal with the side effects but it is the NHS and not private care and they are doing their utmost with what they have.  I’ve never had a bad experience they were amazing.  For anyone going thro this  I would say put on your armour and do battle and look for the light at the end of the tunnel as best you can. The staff are so caring we are so lucky to have an NHS, just try and get your friend some support at home and getting to and from appointnents as best you can. I’m eternally grateful as they saved my life. I hope this reassures your friend a little bit.  Sending best wishes Cally x ps the treatment was definitely worth the outcome for me and altho it was painful and all the other things that go with it id do it again in a heartbeat if I had to.