Update to poll on blood clots

[warfarin1]

The latest poll on blood clots has been revised slightly to include the question

I have atrial fibrillation (AF)

The one about cancer has been removed. If you had a blood clot whilst having treatment for cancer could you tick through illness and immobillity and then qualify it in comments

[Lf981400Q]

In 1993 I had my Gallbladder removed via keyhole surgery and they found that I had a stone the size of a golf ball. I was then opened up and discharged the following day and had to report to the Nurse to have my stitches out in about a weeks time. When I came home I could hardly breath and the pain in my right lung was tremendous. My husband called the G.P who said I had a blood clot and asked Barry to run me back down to the hospital. Unfortunately they couldn't find it on the Xray and I spent a week in hospital simply resting and by this time the pain had disappeared. I developed a pain in my left calf, and mentioned this to the Doctor on the odd occassion I went to the surgery but nothing was said or done. A year or so later is when I had my first and second TIA. I didn't know what they were so ignored them, as I felt not too bad, but years later I had a big one and was paralysed from the neck down. It was already in Hospital in the Neuro ward and given week end leave, undergoing tests, such as MRI scan, Lumber Puncture etc when I didn't feel well and my husband took me straight back into hospital, where I was paralysed from the neck down and had to learn to walk again. The previous Strokes showed up on the 1st scan and the 2nd MRI showed much more damage. So my advise is to anyone is to get help before all these systems get out of hand. I have a lot to be thankful as the N.H.S. is a wonderful thing that we British take so much for granted.

[Gillywiggs]

The NHS might be good but you have been allowed to become severely disabled through negligence! I had a double mastectomy and breathing problems which worried a nurse on night duty. She sent me for an X-Ray which was inconclusive, then since the symptoms were still present, she then sent me for a VQ scan which was also inconclusive. Next, they sent me for a CAT scan which showed that I had multiple Pulmonary Embolisms. I have been on Warfarin for the last 12 years.

[Amoobaa]

I have to agree with Gillywiggs,

The NHS is incredible and worth fighting tooth and nail for, but I will never be thankful for medical negligence.

I have undergone neurosurgery and the NHS was outstanding.. But success and failure are not mutually exclusive- I'm not about to applaud the NHS for failing my father when he needed them most.

My father was their biggest advocate but he can't sing their praises from an urn.

Missing you more and more each day Dad xxx

[Hidden in reply to Amoobaa]

Dear Amoobaa.

I think that most of us recognise how important the NHS is but it is also true that it is increasingly short of the resources to meet ever expanding expectations. The people who work in it are also only human and mistakes can and will happen as you sadly know only too well.

What I have learned and become very committed to is that the role of the patient and his/her family is vital in complimenting the work of the NHS in patient care. This will add an enormous extra resource as well as add extra checks and balances to monitor care quality.

We must work hard to encourage and persuade not just clinicians and hospital administrators but patients and their families themselves to expect to be actively involved in patient care and do something about it. You know that doing so you made a massive difference for your Dad; let that be an example to others.

[Amoobaa]

Dear PBirt, I couldn't have put it better myself. Patient involvement is so important. It's something that ought to be actively encouraged- I must send you the link to my blog once it's up and running (I have just drafted an entry about this exact issue), in it, I suggest that as patients, we would do better if we became more proactive, educated and aware. I believe that when we expect doctors to know everything and have 'magic wands' we are in danger of playing a game that nobody can win.

Obviously there are certain things that all medical professionals should know and there are certain valid expectations we should have of our doctors... (Also, there are a lot of people who already do everything they can to be proactive and there are undoubtably many outstanding doctors). But ensuring we all remain involved and empowered has to be a priority- making sure these attitudes become more widespread and common is a work in progress.

I still read your messages of support and they still give me great strength when I falter.

Your words helped me more than I can convey.

Here's to the pursuit of positive changes.