Can’t believe my luck…………….
Day 1 chemo
Arrived at 11am. They will not give you an appointment the day before, you have to wait for them to call you that morning!
I am very nervous as this is all new to me. I was sat in a chair in the MRI waiting area and had bloods taken, all ok. I expected to be moved at anytime, was told the hospital was full. I was left in a chair in this waiting area with people walking past me constantly. I stuck out like a sore thumb!! Had first dose of chemo and sent home!
Day 2
We have a bed for you ………oh good I thought! Being stuck in the chair for 4 hours the day before had put pressure on my nephrostomy tube and the tube leaked during the night!!!
I was taken to a dark, depressing unit with no windows, just beds with pull curtain screens around them. All screens were closed, I walked in and was faced with another patient and their ‘family’ with a 6 inch gap between them and me having to climb onto the bed and no space for my husband. NO I said and walked out of the unit!!!
I only went back when they offered me an ‘upgrade’
I found after first 2 sessions, nausea and fatigue have been very difficult to deal with. I have little energy and hope this post makes sense!!
After some investigations, I can conclude that this hospital does not have a dedicated chemo unit.
Chemo patients are dealt with on the ER overflow/ holding unit.
Chemo patients are expected to have no comfort, they are squashed behind a curtain anywhere from 4 – 6 persons with little space and the nurses turn the lights off.
Yes, exposed to all kinds of bacteria/infections etc etc
I was led to believe chemo patients should at the least be observed, well unless the nurses have x ray eyes and can see through the screens on this unit………nobody is observed.
I have had to go to this unit daily for Neupogen shots. I see the same sad scenario every day.
I contacted my Insurance Company about these conditions, is this normal I asked? The PA office told me ‘no but this sounds like third world health care’ From what I have seen in Florida with exception to only a few resources, most of the health care offered is third world at 5* costs!!
I have complained to the hospital and my INS co is investigating the ‘facilities’ they are paying for! They are also contacting the Oncologist, I am seeing the Oncologist next week before I transfer elsewhere. It never occurred to me to ask to view the facilities before I started chemo, so there is a lesson learned!!!!
I really do not have the energy to go elsewhere, it is a big inconvenience for me and my family, but feel I am at risk if I continue chemo in this ER overflow unit. My family and I are looking at alternative resources for chemo today and early next week. I just can’t face having chemo right up until May in this unsafe environment.
Anyone else had similar chemo experience?
Also, thanks for the PM's sent, just have not had the 'energy' to reply yet.
