How many of you actually get to see your consultant at appointments?

[ScardyCat40]

My consultant who ins head of school hardly ever seems to be around when I need some decisions making. I've seen him about 3 or 4 times at routine appointments mostly I see someone else on the team and I was wondering what other women's experiences were?

[Hidden]

Hello,

I usually get to see one of the three Consultants (oncologist, gynaecologist, or gynae/onc surgeon) at my hospital. That's pretty good as I've always been ok and in remission. Would it be worth requesting an appointment with your Consultant specifically?

Best wishes,

Isadora.

[Hidden]

Hi ScardyCat,

I see my consultant every time...and I feel very fortunate that I do...as then I don't feel fobbed off...love x G x

[Whippit]

Wow - I never got to meet my Ovarian Consultant until my 3 month check-up- and even then it was only because, for once, I made a fuss. I saw my oncology/gynaecologist twice officially - once pre-op and once 6 weeks later when she gave me the histology results. The other visit was very thoughtful - she came to my bedside the evening after the operation outside working hours because she said she wouldn't be on duty for the remainder of the week and wanted to see how I was getting on.

I never got to see my Ovarian Oncology Specialist as she was on maternity leave and I mostly saw an Abdominal Oncology Specialist who was covering the maternity leave for the period of my chemotherapy treatment. She told me that she didn't usually get to know her patients well i.e. because they drop dead quicker than us. She was OK, then she disappeared and I saw a Pharmacist one time and an Oncology Nurse once. I didn't know the names of any of them.

For my 3-month check-up - when they tell you how well it's all worked my Oncology Specialist was back from maternity leave but thought to send in a male doctor I'd never met before. I'm afraid I said rather emphatically, 'You're not Rachel' and he scuttled off to find Rachel. Now I'm not a pushy person but I did think she should be bothered to come and see me herself as I'd been assigned to her.

Ever since then I've just seen the Oncology Nurse who's lovely and very helpful. She asks me how I am, presses my tum, and gives me a blood sample bag for the next 3-month visit. The hospital have just rung to postpone my 12-month appointment which is disappointing as I've started to get a nagging pain in my abdomen and was going to ask them about it.

The person I've seen whom I trust the most is Phil, my GP. He's fab and says I can go to see him any time because I cheer him up. We always have a laugh when I visit him. I've told him this cancer thing is all a big mistake. He's a great GP and is always concerned to do the best for me.

So the long answer to that, ScardyCat, is I don't get to see my consultant in Cardiff. xxxx Annie

[Hidden in reply to Whippit]

I really feel Annie that you are being short changed ...I would not be happy in your situation at all..I feel very fortunate to have seen a "Gynaecological Clinical Oncologist" specialising in ovarian cancer and not merely an "Oncologist" also when I had to see a surgeon (for my op and incisional hernia) ...likewise I saw a "Gynaecological Surgical Oncologist" specialising in ovarian cancer so they know what they are up against...when I was first diagnosed I saw a "Gynaecologicol Oncologist" but was very quickly referred to one that specialised in ovarian cancer...this is a government requirement...pretty worrying then... that others haven't got the same xx

[Whippit in reply to Hidden]

ooooh, it doesn't sound good does it? Problem of devolution I say. The Welsh Assembly are failing on the two areas for which they have responsibility - education and health. They're lavishing so much money on the Welsh language and creating Welsh Language jobs in the public services there's little money left for health and education. I didn't vote for devolution and I'm livid that having got through on just a handful of votes that nobody seems to have thought of measuring how good that decision was.

I was really pleased with my surgeon. She is in the racing team at the Yacht Club. She's an amazingly talented sailor and a really lovely lady too. Her specialist subject is Vulval Cancer. She came highly recommended by the Gynaecologist who originally diagnosed my condition. Apparently he insisted she did my op. Interestingly Professor Gabra said that survival rates had increased with ovarian cancer due solely to the talent of the surgeons.

Yes I read the NICE guidelines about the sort of consultant you're supposed to see. The abdominal Oncologist was a bit vague when they mixed up the chemotherapy bookings and I couldn't have Taxol as well as Carbo-Platin. I was also gutted when Professor Gabra said Cardiff wasn't part of his project which is giving so much hope to ladies in other areas. Most charities for Ovarian Cancer don't have a presence in Wales either.

If the going gets tough I'll move my boat and live onboard in an English marina near a centre of excellence. It's in Plymouth at the moment which doesn't have much of a reputation for oncology. ha ha I'll have to find a CoE near the sea. That might mean moving up your way and keeping the boat at Liverpool.

xxxx Love Annie

[Hidden in reply to Whippit]

Hi Annie... we will then start calling you "gypsy Annie".. but that's the way to do it...the main thing is you are doing alright at this moment in time..Plymouth is definitely not the way to go...and I agree with you it seems like the Welsh has shot themselves in the foot love x G x

[Whippit in reply to Hidden]

The twins called me 'Pirate Granny' as I'm always on a boat. Pirate Annie is rather good. xxx

[suse]

Hi Scardy Cat, I have been in remission for 2 years and in that time i have seen my consultant twice ,every time i go for checkups i usually see one of his registrars because he is very busy with new patients. I have been told if anything is wrong i will get to see him , so i am quite happy with that as the registrars seem very good and i always get a full examination.

Best Wishes Sue xx

[angelina]

Hi. I always see my oncologist every visit and she is the one who examines me.

If I need anything else the gynae/surgeon and MM nurse are also available.

I am quite happy with my follow ups as I am never rushed out and my onc always

has the time to listen to me even if she is running late.

Best Wishes

Angie xx

[ScardyCat40]

Angie where do you live because that sounds perfect?

[wendydee]

Hi! I only saw my consultant once after my op, at my six-week check up. After that I saw a variety of people on his team. Then he retired anyway, after about a year. I was always confident in the judgements of the registrars I saw, but then there were no complications in my case. had the greatest faith in my CNS, who I still see via the hospital support group, when I do about of liaison with newly diagnosed women and a bit of fundraising. It's such a brilliant group, there are quite a few of us 'old girls' who go along after we get past the five year mark and support in different ways. It's just a lovely social atmosphere and the nurses are great. We also get a free relaxation session and often free massage and reiki treatments!

How are things with you now? Hope life is a little less complicated :-S

Love Wendy xx

[ScardyCat40 in reply to wendydee]

Life continues to be complicated. I have my CT scan next week but. They won't scan my chest so have agreed a chest xray as a compromise

[wendydee]

Will be thinking of you and sending luv n' hugs

W xx

[Hidden]

I have seen my consultant on every visit. I was diagnosed in February 2012, had 4 cycles of Carbo taxol and then surgery. I was very fortunate to have two gynaecologist surgeons and a liver / upper abdominal surgeon which resulted in optimal debunking. I had a port fitted during surgery as I met the criteria for the stage 2 PETROC trial. (Google PETROC for more info) Since thenI have had two more cycles, a combination of intravenous and peritoneal chemo, and have one cycle to go. I think I have had excellent support and treatment. I am in Plymouth - do Gwyn and Annie know something about Plymouth I need to know?!? I realise that it is always pot luck which consultant you have and how things work out but I feel very lucky to be in Plymouth.

Best wishes, Lynn

[ScardyCat40 in reply to Hidden]

I lived in Plymouth for 9 yrs and had my wisdom teeth out at Derriford

[Whippit in reply to Hidden]

Dear Lynn

I didn't intend to be derogatory about Plymouth and I'm sure you're getting the best treatment there. It's just the University Hospital is new and doesn't have a strong research base. I had heard of people in Plymouth having to travel to RDE in Exeter for treatment. I guess it depends on the type of cancer you have and the particular resources each hospital offers.

I don't have too much confidence in the Velindre in Cardiff so if I were to move away I'd be looking at relocating near a Centre of Excellence for Ovarian Cancer rather than another hospital similar to the one we have here. It's good to hear you've had an excellent experience there.

Plymouth is fab for sailing. I spend hours on Staddon Heights walking my dog and gazing out at the view. Our boat is at the Yachthaven near Turnchapel.

xx love Annie

[Hidden in reply to Whippit]

Hi Annie and Gwyn

That's OK - I just thought I'd add my two penny worth! My husband has been a renal patient at Derriford for 25 years, (dialysis, transplant, heart attack) - we have every reason to be grateful to the care he has received as well as the support I am now receiving.

We also think Plymouth is great for sailing, have always had boats, currently keep ours at Royal William Yard. Let me know if you would like to meet up for a coffee next time you are down, Annie!

Lynn x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lynn,

I am glad you have had good experiences in Derriford in particular with your husband's long term health, and of course now yours,this speaks for itself, (and speak as you find).....there will always be the odd case in any hospital where things have gone drastically wrong, and this then colours one's view of that particular hospital.

I myself love Plymouth and of course we have a lot of family down there, my daughter was born in Devonport nursing home.

Best wishes love x G x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes, that's fine Gwyn - all hospitals have their wobbles when things don't go right, but I am just so relieved that I have been accepted on this trial and all is going well. I am very impressed with their research nurses and doctors, very supportive.

Lynn x

[Whippit in reply to Hidden]

Dear Lynn

That would be brilliant. What boat do you have? The weather's been so bad this summer we haven't been out much this year. Not sure whether it's age or just being spoilt with beautiful blue water but we're getting a bit picky about when we go out these days.

We were thinking of coming over to the Royal William as I think Hugh Fernleigh-Whittingstall's canteen is in that area.

xx Annie

[Hidden in reply to Whippit]

We sold our Banjer 37 last year and bought a smaller motor sailer as a 'project'. My husband, Steve,has done it up, made a lovely job of it - this was to keep him busy while I was working full time. But I have been off work since March and who knows what lies ahead? Just focusing on finishing last cycle of chemo at present then see whether we keep boat, or sell and get another project!

River Cottage is indeed at Royal William and very nice too!

Lynn x

[Whippit in reply to Hidden]

Dear Lynn, It would be so good to get together. Does HF-W do coffee? We've got a 39' Bavaria Lagoon - the old-fashioned Bermuda Sloop with teak deck and mahogany interior. I rather fancy a motor sailer to take the hard work out of sailing - but hopefully that's a little while away yet.

We seem to have had so many family commitments recently that we haven't been to Plymouth for a couple of months. You lucky things with all that wonderful sailing on your doorstep. For us it's worth the 2.5 hr drive on a Friday to get down to some blue water.

I'll send a PM so we can get together. xxx Annie

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lynn,

I am glad you are having good treatment in Plymouth...I haven't any experience with OC in Plymouth ...and sorry if we knocked your confidence...as it was only a joke as I know Annie has a yacht in Plymouth and she knows I lived there and my husband was born there so it was meant to be tongue in cheek..the same as my comment about The Welsh (I am Welsh) but my husbands cousin had kidney cancer and they mixed his notes up with someone else's notes (in fact two other peoples notes) so he was diagnosed wrong.. but don't worry this is a different cancer...different oncologists and of course a different time...and wish you all the best with your treatment love

x G x

[Lily-Anne]

I have had an amazing consultant, he saw me on the ward every day, although he doesn't do the ward rounds he did pop in, when I first saw him, he said I could let his secretary know if I needed to talk, which I did and we thrashed out my first op and what I wanted. Then when I was diagnosed he was so kind to me and wanted to op 2 days later but I said no, I rang his secretary Tuesday and asked to see him as my TAH is next week, he saw me yesterday and answered all my questions asked if I agreed to operating next week, I said yes signed the consent and he said look at this as a fight, you will need all your strength and determination and you can then rest at the end and will feel better because you will be on the road to recovery. Can't fault him. I was worried about going to a hospital I didn't know, as I haven't lived here for very long but my GP said I should go there it would be her choice too, so I did.

LA

[TinaWright]

Hi girls, this depends on who you class as your consultant?

The consultant who performed my operation gave me my diagnosis pre-op, he phoned my husband during surgary to request his consent to go ahead. I have never once seen him since. He wrote to me after I had been discharged and wrote again to thank me for some fund raising I had done for his research centre.

However, all the way through (post op, that is) I have mostly been seen by the same female oncologist/gyn and she has been great. Usually these dapartments are run by a team of consultants and if there are decisions to be made they are never done without a meeting of heated debate when all the consultants thrash it out between them.

My oncologist went on maternioty leave for 6 months and in this time I was seen by a locom who came over from the big hospital to run her clinic. He was just as good and gave me all the same answers. This was reasurring to have a second opinion.

To be truthful, I have asked the same questions to three different oncologists now and they have all came up with the same answers.

I agree it is better to be able to get to know the person who is so close at hand in your health regime, but sometimes its good to have a fresh face with a second opinion.

However, seeing a different person each time can be extrememlly frustrating and I do understand how ones confidence can fall. Its also a huge energy drain when it comes to explaining what you`ve been through and where you are at each time. To be honest I`m doing good and even I don`t want to keep re-living the past.

If you are not happy then you must put it in writing to the person who claims you as his/her patient and remember to offer the reasons why you feel unhappy/uncomfortable, we only have one life and we only have one chance at changing things that we don`t feel comfortable with.

I hope this helps love and god bless you all from Tina xxx

[Hidden]

All the way through my treatments I have seen the same oncologist, unless he has been away, when I've seen the other partner is his team who also does breast etc. He is not the most feeling go men, but at least he is honest with me, and told me honestly in the summer he didn't feel he could do anything else for me. He was as thrilled as I was when I got to five years and still surviving.......... Shame he ran out of ideas, but at least he sent me somewhere else, rather than just to the hospice.

Good luck to all

Viv