Oh, Lyn, what an awful palaver! When did patients cease to matter in our caring, sharing NHS?

The A & E scenario was disgraceful - no-one should be waiting for triage with a heart attack, for goodness sake! Poor man, and his poor daughter. Only once have we had to attend A & E at night on a weekend - desperate!! It must be the same all over the country, though my dad didn`t have to sit - only us, while waiting for his initial examination.

And the rest of your post, well, it beggars belief. It seems we are all just a number now, on a piece of paper(or computer). How difficult can it be to send out a change in appointment? Impossible if it`s for the Hearing Dept at our local hospital - my dad is always being messed around. As far as you are concerned, you need your ECG doing so that other things can fall into place - are they all just automatons, who don`t have any common sense?

And of course, you must be feeling absolutely fine - your bloods say so!!!!And of course your medication is working - that`s why you are feeling on top of the world! Duh, well excuse me, you are the one who KNOWS how you feel.Just the right time to have to change consultants!

The NHS is like a steeplchase - lots of barriers and hurdles to jump, and the odd water-jump in which we`re likely to drown unless someone throws us a handy lifebelt.

So sorry for all the problems you`ve had Lyn.Please try not to let the b*****s grind you down.

Take care,

Kathleen x

PS How is your son?

what a time your having Lyn
Sending you a hug,pray all sorted out for you what a mess they making for you,mucking you about grr.
and if wasnt serious your so right not funny at all.
take care.
melly

Lyn, you poor poor thing. The beaurocracy and pointless time wasting drives me INSANE. I think the way you have been mucked about is a disgrace and swapping your dr and appointment without informing you is appalling. If I was that disorganised and unprofessional in my job I'd be sacked. (Actually thinking about I'm a teacher and it's hard to get rid of teachers no matter how bad they are, but you know what I mean!)
Write a letter of complaint - they are going against the Patients Charter. Take care, hope it all improves
Sara x

Oh Lyn, what a carry on!
Sorry to hear all this you've been going through.
Perhaps you DO need that magic wand after all!

Love, Doreen xx

What a complete farce Lyn, just when you don't need it. You have soldiered on with all the ups and downs in your health thinking that there is light at the end of the tunnel, as you have an appointment with the consultant, only to be told that the appointment has been delayed and is with someone who is not familiar with your circumstances - it's a disgrace. I've found out that the only way to be heard by the NHS these days is to make a bloody nuicance of yourself. It might be worth ringing the rheumy nurse when you have had chance to compose yourself and explain your circumstances to let them know why you are unhappy about the appointment being changed. As you have to change consultants anyway, you could just ask for the very earliest appointment? (Even if they have to fit you in at the end of a clinic.) Am thinking of you.

Julie

This is simply disgusting! The NHS at it's very worse.
What's your MP like? Your hospital sounds like it needs a good kick up the a*rse!
These people have no idea of the negative effect their (in)action has on their patients. We are not just customers, we are PEOPLE.
How would they feel if it was a member of their family?
Try to keep calm - easier said than done.
lots of love,
Jan xxx

Its absolutely disgusting for you having to put up with this , hope some thing can be do asap for you Lyn

Sophie x

Hi!

Thank you all so much for the lovely lovely replies which have really cheered me up!

I don't know why I let it upset me, I already know what to expect so it should come as no surprise when things go so wrong. But I always hope that one of these days ... Ah well, one of these days. I do have a really supportive GP thank goodness and I know he will look out for me but I could really do to take him along with me to hospital appointments! There's a thought

I had a call back from rheumatology and I am now neutropenic yet again, a road once travelled. Methotrexate now stopped and it seems unlikely that I will be able to go back on it. Very strange that after 12 years it has suddenly taken a dislike to me. But heyho I'll stick with the Enbrel and other bits and see what happens over the coming weeks. I still have Rituximab in my armoury of untried and untested!

I have asked about staying on my own consultant's list and it has been suggested that I get in touch with her secretary and see if this would be possible. So weighing up the pros and cons before making a decision.

For those who kindly asked, Ian has a badly bruised elbow, now much improved, thank you. Two years ago his twin, Jake, was sent home from the same hospital unable to walk with a supposed bruised leg. They reviewed his X-rays the following day and discovered several breaks! Come back now!! Some of you will recall the trauma of the following 12 months, the length of time it took to heal. I could see this scenario unfolding again before my very eyes but fortunately it didn't. Such relief!

Doreen, Lorna feels that I should have a crystal ball. Can you please add that to the shopping list to go with my magic wand and tiara? Oooh I can't wait to try out all my new toys

Thanks again everyone. To sleep perchance to dream ...

Lyn x

Hello Lyn

Gosh your week is AWFUL, god no wonder you were angry in tears and pulling your hair out. Poor you.
I think a complaint would be in order.

Hope Son is ok

Keep your chin up we need you to - you are a rock to so many of us

Rose