Thank you for the replies. Sorry haven't replied earlier I have been popping on but with the kids being on holiday haven't had time to reply (keeping them entertained is a nightmare!!).
I have thought about changing hospitals but the only thing stopping me is the fact that if and when I am on treatment travelling to a hospital further away may be a problem. My current hospital is only a very short distance. I don't know maybe I'm worrying unnecessarily, and things won't be as bad as I think.
Cinnamon Girl said
Jul 29, 2012
Hi Dopey, sounds like you`ve got your hands full then! I can see your point about the travelling time, that is certainly something to take into consideration. In the area where I live it was a choice between 2 hospitals that were within reasonable travelling distance (Portsmouth or Brighton) and I went with Brighton because it was nearer and easier to get to. It turned out to be a good choice because I had an excellent tx nurse which made a huge difference to how I felt about it all.
Best of luck to you anyway, keep us posted. Take care, Jill xx
-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Sunday 29th of July 2012 08:48:15 PM
Cinnamon Girl said
Jul 25, 2012
Please don`t apologise Dopey, you have good reason to vent, that is outrageous! I agree with Steff that maybe you should consider changing to another hospital, you do have the right to choose, and to be honest this consultant`s casual attitude can`t have inspired you with any confidence in him at all. I was also seen every 6 months before tx and had blood taken each time, that is the norm here and the least you should expect.
Take care, keep in touch!
Jill xx
greenqueen said
Jul 25, 2012
Hi Dopey,
That's disgraceful! The very least they should have done is offered you an Ultrasound and the relevant blood tests, before they get the Fibroscan machine
These tests used to be every 6 months before I was on tx.
As you can chose which hospital you would prefer to receive your medical care, it may be an idea to request a different one. The treatment centre at North Manchester General Hospital is known to be one of the best if it's not too difficult to access and they have had a Fibroscan for a while.
Maybe a call to the Hep C trust would be a good idea to get some up-to-date info on this and they are able to help with their Advocacy Service.
Helplines
Hepatitis C help lines usually offer two kinds of support: empathic listening and information. They are often a good source of frontline information on hepatitis C and on related issues such as how to prevent infection, where to find further support, legal rights, testing and treatment. The obvious advantage of help lines is that they are specifically geared to help people with hepatitis C. This means that they will have access to specific information - but they tend to be useful for short-term rather than long-term support.
The Hepatitis C Trust Helpline is staffed by people who either have or ‘had and cleared’ hepatitis C and can be used for long-term support especially if you are on treatment.
Open 10.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays)
The cost of calling 0845 numbers can vary according to your provider, your tariff and when you are calling. Check with your own provider for details. From BT domestic landlines the call may be free or may cost up to 2.1p per minute. From landlines on BT business tariffs calls cost 3.36p + VAT per minute. Calls to 0845 numbers from other landlines and mobiles can cost considerably more so you may wish to call our alternative number +44 20 7089 6221. Costs correct as of 19 January 2011.
Steff xx
Dopey said
Jul 25, 2012
Hi all
Hope everyone is well. I went for my annual appointment with my consultant today. I went in with a load of questions but left more confused and frustrated. Well after a long spiel about how treatment was now approved and they had money to treat people (tell me something I don't know!!!)and the sides are horrendous (put me off why dont you!!!) blah blah blah he finally got to the point that "I am on his radar to be treated. But he can't give me a date"
He also said the hospital was purchasing a fibroscanner and would send me an appointment within the next few months. Also that my last biopsy showed no liver damage n he doesn't think that there is anything to worry about (easier said than done when my mum developed liver cancer while being on the wait n see approach) I did come out with last years blood test results, he seemed to think that there was no point in doing any blood tests today.
After a great deal of pushing, I said I wanted an indicator this year, next year so he said likely later this year??? .......... Soooooo I continue my wait
Sorry for the long post just needed to vent!!!
Hi Dopey, sounds like you`ve got your hands full then!
I can see your point about the travelling time, that is certainly something to take into consideration. In the area where I live it was a choice between 2 hospitals that were within reasonable travelling distance (Portsmouth or Brighton) and I went with Brighton because it was nearer and easier to get to. It turned out to be a good choice because I had an excellent tx nurse which made a huge difference to how I felt about it all.
Best of luck to you anyway, keep us posted. Take care, Jill xx
-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Sunday 29th of July 2012 08:48:15 PM
Please don`t apologise Dopey, you have good reason to vent, that is outrageous! I agree with Steff that maybe you should consider changing to another hospital, you do have the right to choose, and to be honest this consultant`s casual attitude can`t have inspired you with any confidence in him at all. I was also seen every 6 months before tx and had blood taken each time, that is the norm here and the least you should expect.
Take care, keep in touch!
Jill xx
Hi Dopey,
That's disgraceful! The very least they should have done is offered you an Ultrasound and the relevant blood tests, before they get the Fibroscan machine
These tests used to be every 6 months before I was on tx.
As you can chose which hospital you would prefer to receive your medical care, it may be an idea to request a different one. The treatment centre at North Manchester General Hospital is known to be one of the best if it's not too difficult to access and they have had a Fibroscan for a while.
Maybe a call to the Hep C trust would be a good idea to get some up-to-date info on this and they are able to help with their Advocacy Service.
Helplines
Hepatitis C help lines usually offer two kinds of support: empathic listening and information. They are often a good source of frontline information on hepatitis C and on related issues such as how to prevent infection, where to find further support, legal rights, testing and treatment. The obvious advantage of help lines is that they are specifically geared to help people with hepatitis C. This means that they will have access to specific information - but they tend to be useful for short-term rather than long-term support.
The Hepatitis C Trust Helpline is staffed by people who either have or ‘had and cleared’ hepatitis C and can be used for long-term support especially if you are on treatment.
http://www.hepctrust.org.uk/Support/Types+of+Support/Helplines
0845 223 4424
Open 10.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays)
The cost of calling 0845 numbers can vary according to your provider, your tariff and when you are calling. Check with your own provider for details. From BT domestic landlines the call may be free or may cost up to 2.1p per minute. From landlines on BT business tariffs calls cost 3.36p + VAT per minute. Calls to 0845 numbers from other landlines and mobiles can cost considerably more so you may wish to call our alternative number +44 20 7089 6221. Costs correct as of 19 January 2011.
Steff xx