Moving to Kent?

[Twink333]

Hi everyone on a drizzly day. I wonder if anyone can help? I was diagnosed July 2018, stage 1a ,so only 3 then 6 monthly blood tests. I was operated under Guys and St Thomas and it was a really positive experience.

If I move to Kent coast...and change GP, will my oncology face to face 6 monthly appts still be at my old SE London hospital, or would I be transferred to a Kent hospital? If I recurred would I not be able to go back to Guts and St Thomas?

I know in the greater scheme of things it shouldn't matter, but it does. I am wary of changing , it just feels familiar...am I over thinking things? Has anyone good experiences in a Kent hospital? Thankyou all .

[Lyndy]

I am with you…. continuity of care does matter. Suggest you pre-empt your move and tell your hospital you really really want to stay with them…is that ok? Hopefully they will agree and put it in writing to your new GP x

[pants22]

Hi Twink333I've just moved from Ramsgate up to Nottingham and found the move to a new oncology team and new health Trust was pretty good.

My oncologist in Kent was Dr Waters based at Maidstone but looking after many coastal gynae patients. You will have face to face meetings with him.

He is thorough and has a nice bedside manner. His secretary Jo is also really helpful and reliable.

Just have confidence that your old doctor will transfer your care to your new doctor. They do it all the time and ultimately want the best possible outcome for you.

Happy moving.

[27-359]

I live in Kent also, and am treated at Maidstone hospital. My oncologist is Dr Summers and I really have no complaints 're the treatment I have received.

Jenny

[Twink333]

Thankyou all for replying. Does Maidstone hospital do the initial TAH surgery etc and any follow up if needed? Obviously I've had the TAH, but am now trying and failing miserably to get a gastro referral , due to polyps being found on my gall bladder at the last scan.Or do you go to Maidstone for the 6 monthly face to face appts and elsewhere for treatment? Thankyou

[Emsymits]

I’m in Kent and can’t fault them

[Vivibeatris]

hello, if I may ask who operated you at Guys and St Thomas? And was it robotic?

[Twink333 in reply to Vivibeatris]

Hi Ahmad Sayasneh operated on me. I don't remember him saying it was robotic. X

[Vivibeatris in reply to Twink333]

thanks. How did you find the surgery?

[Twink333 in reply to Vivibeatris]

I found the anticipation of it, almost worse than the actual event. The surgeon and his whole team were amazing. I cannot speak highly enough of the care I recieved.After surgery, for some reason I expected my 'insides' to be really painful. I mean bits were removed. But the only discomfort was from the healing of the scar, kind of constructive pain. They get you up and about the day after surgery, I think I spent 5 nights there.

I was fortunate that everything healed without any concern.

[Vivibeatris in reply to Twink333]

I am glad to hear all went well. Do you remember which type of surgery they did? Was it minimal like laparoscopic or was it open surgery?

[Twink333 in reply to Vivibeatris]

I had the full monty. Total abdominal hysterectomy, Bilateral salpingo oopherectomy, they also removed an 'accessory ' spleen. The surgery took 8 hours.

[Vivibeatris in reply to Twink333]

Oh wow! That must have been quite intense then. How old are you if I may ask? So they knew straight away they had to to the full hysterectomy. I am currently in diagnosis stage where I have a large complex mass in one of my fallopian tubes so not sure if they will go in and take everything out or just the tube and ovary (I am 36 and would like to preserve my fertility if at all possible)

[Twink333 in reply to Vivibeatris]

I was 55 at the time of the surgery. I've been recurrence free for 5 years .Yes, the scans, symptons and a ca125 result of 1000 left little doubt about the diagnosis. The 'mass' was 20cms long.

But once the histology is examined after the surgery, then they can give an accurate diagnosis and staging.