Doctor visiting at home, is this a common occurence?

Errata

You can write to the senior partner at the practice saying how terrific the doctor is (and he certainly is), or if he's the senior partner write to all the doctors at the practice collectively. You could also write to the Primary Care Trust about his excellent care of you. And of course, you can always recommend him for an MBE or an OBE.

Reading your first post I can understand what a challenge it is to face cancer with no close support. My GP arranged 6 weekly sessions with a clincial psychologist attached to the local hospice, it made a great deal of difference to me. I wonder if it would help you?

Wishing you well and hope this helps.

OneYorkshireLass

I'm sorry to hear of your news.

You might benefit from a forum such as Macmillan - http://community.macmillan.org.uk/forums/ It often helps to talk to people who are going through the same illness, or even just to read peoples' stories.

Your GP sounds lovely.

saving_pennies

Hello,

I don't think anything you have written sounds silly. Having a doctor who is understanding, sensitive, caring and relates to you as a human being (and not a number that has to be processed as quick as poosible!) can make all the difference. I hear the doctor thinks this is him just doing his job, but I have meet many doctors who wouldn't do this, and I think when someone goes the extra mile it is important to recognise it. I'm sure if you call the surgery and ask to speak to the practice manager, he/she will be able to advise how your doctor can be recognised for his efforts.

In terms of you, I saw your thread earlier and really wanted to be able to to help. Cancer is such a evil disease I knew someone that had cancer who attended a centre where she could get several free taster sessions of alternative therapies like reiki and she found this helped so much that even though she is has recovered from cancer she continues to do every so often. I had no luck in finding where place was though and don't know what area of the country you are in either. I did find Penny Brohn Cancer Care, that offers varous programs but I'm not sure of cost www.pennybrohncancercare.org
Perhaps other posters have heard of a similar thing?

I also came across these agencies that may be of help:

Macmillan CancerLine: 0808 808 0000 (Mon to Fri, 9am-8pm) www.macmillan.org.uk

Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres 0141 341 5675
http://www.maggiescentres.org/home.html

There is a whole list of cancer agencies here: www.canceradvice.co.uk/support-groups/


Best wishes,

RuthnJasper

OP - everyone on here has come up with such excellent advice and support. I can't really add to what they've posted. However, my mum has had cancer twice (separate places) and is now in remission. Also, a number of acquaintances have had The Big C - some survived; some, sadly, did not.

As for me, myself, I have depression (unrelated to my mum's diagnoses) and have been down the CPN and day-hospital routes and been discharged on the other side, still with (now-manageable with medication) depression, but a much stronger person for the help I've recieved.

A cancer diagnosis is not necessarily the end of a life - just as a depression diagnosis is not necessarily an admission of personal weakness and/or an inability to cope.

Please PM me if you would like more particular advice and support from me and my experiences.

Good luck to you. xxx

MrsManda

The practice manager will normally deal with complaints about doctors/the service so it'd be a lovely change to receive a compliment.
You could also write to the PCT though at the moment they're undergoing such upheaval it may get lost.

It'd be really good if you could make a comment on the NHS choices website. http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/HospitalCommentInput.aspx?servicetype=hospital&searchtype=hospitalcommentsearch

I represent patient concerns as a volunteer at the NHS trusts in my area and these reviews are used by the regulators in their reports about services. One of the problems I hear from staff is that they feel the reviews on the NHS website are skewed because people are much more willing to comment when they have a complaint than when they've received good service and they therefore feel it's unfair to use these to judge them.

It would be good to get the balance right as this is a useful resource for patients, staff and regulators if used properly

MoneySaverForever

Hi everyone, just want to say thanks again for this absolutely amazing response and for all the support you've given me! I've had my GP out again today and Social Work came along too and have offered me the chance of a weeks rest in a very large country house that's specifically for people in my position and they told me I wouldn't be judged, would have everything I need there and that food and everything's provided by them too. I was told that I should really consider this as my Doctor is very concerned for my wellbeing and thinks it would do me the world of good to be amongst people going through the same as I am and to know that I might just take something positive from it all. He said that there was daily activies that happen but I wouldn't have to take part if I didn't want to and if I wanted, I could just spend the week resting and not worrying about anything at all. I think I'm going to go for this, thanks again and let me just say that I only wish I could let you see how much I really appreciate everything you've done.

I will wait and see what happens next xxx

saving_pennies

Hello MoneySaverForever,

That is fantastic news. I am so glad you have a very proactive doctor whose been able to arrange social services to provide you with this break. It sounds just what you need and hopefully seeing others in a similar situation will be of great help and support to you. Do you know when this break starts?

Just from reading your last post I can hear how grateful you are, and I felt quite moved. It is lovely when people can come together with such speed to give support when it is needed (both on this forum and your doctor/social services).

I asked the person I knew who had cancer where they got free alternative therapies - it was from Macmillan at the local hospital where she was being treated and she was allowed about 5 or 6 free sessions. This was at a hospital in the south, but it is worth asking the hospital who are treating you.

I hope it is ok to say I'm thinking of you.

take good care of you.

RuthnJasper

MoneySaverForever wrote: »

Hi everyone, just want to say thanks again for this absolutely amazing response and for all the support you've given me! I've had my GP out again today and Social Work came along too and have offered me the chance of a weeks rest in a very large country house that's specifically for people in my position and they told me I wouldn't be judged, would have everything I need there and that food and everything's provided by them too. I was told that I should really consider this as my Doctor is very concerned for my wellbeing and thinks it would do me the world of good to be amongst people going through the same as I am and to know that I might just take something positive from it all. He said that there was daily activies that happen but I wouldn't have to take part if I didn't want to and if I wanted, I could just spend the week resting and not worrying about anything at all. I think I'm going to go for this, thanks again and let me just say that I only wish I could let you see how much I really appreciate everything you've done.

I will wait and see what happens next xxx

Hello MSF - thank you for posting an update, I'm glad that you are smiling a bit. Your GP sounds fantastic, a real gem to have in your corner.

His suggestion of the country-house thing sounds just the ticket. Sometimes it's quite unbelievable just how much a change of scenery can help - and to be able to relax for a bit, get away from it all, and chat with people who know what you're going through is a wonderful blessing.

After my mum's second run-in with The Big C, she was invited to join a Breast Cancer survivors' support group. She has made so many new friends - and it isn't always about the illness and solidarity - they have things like card-making evenings, a top Christmas party, a summer BBQ every year and suchlike.

Your GP's response (including visiting you at home) really smacks of thoughtful care, concern, and genuine regard for you as a person and your wellbeing. Also - the number of replies here on your thread will, I hope, show that you are NOT alone in this. There are people in your life and here on MSE that really do care about you and your future happiness. (Plus which, trust me, it's harder to top yourself than you might think. And it bl**dy hurts!)

Please keep us posted with how you are getting on, whether you are having a good day or a bad day. And remember - you happen to have The Big C and The Black Dog (depression) - they do not "have you". Keep going - even when it seems tough - even if you tell yourself it's just for one more day. One more day can't hurt that much, right? It's just 24 hours... Then tell yourself the same thing the next day; and the next day; and the next day after that... until you can think to yourself "Well, maybe I'll hang on for one more week" - then one more month, three more months, six more months, one more year.... And one day, you might even start thinking "Well, if I start saving now, I can go on that trip to Italy in three years' time..."

With love to you sweetie - you are a very special person. xxx