What a nightmare!

Another week with two hospital visits. On Wednesday it was to the Christie hospital for palliative radiation therapy to my left elbow. The ambulance picked me up with just enough time to get to the appointment on time at 14:00. I needed to get out of the wheelchair and onto the flat table to be marked up for the actual RT, but this was managed with little difficulty and help from the RT staff. Rather than getting back into the wheelchair I was transferred to a trolley. That was fine but I was worried the the wheelchair would be "borrowed" but my fears were unfounded.

There was a wait of about an hour before the RT. As I went in for the RT at about 16:15 I was told that the ambulance for my return journey would be booked. Transferring from the table to the wheelchair proved to be more difficult. I could take my weight on my legs but not move my feet. Once I did get back in the chair I was wheeled back to the holding area at about 16:40. The RT department closes at 17:00 so I was soon moved to the transport lounge where I was given a sandwich, piece of cake and a cup of tea. By 17:50 and no sign of transport I was again moved, this time to Ward 12 (I think the transfer lounge must close down too).

I was beginning to get worried now. Would I have the strength to get myself into bed once I got home? My wife was getting concerned too. Should she go to bed (she goes to bed early) and risk not hearing the door bell one I did get home? I arranged with my youngest son that I'd give him a call once I was on my way and he'd help me to bed. He'd also get there before the ambulance so could see to the door allowing my wife to get to bed. I told my son that I'd give a cut-off of midnight and if there were no transport by then I'd stay the night at the hospital. At 23:50 I told the nursing staff that I'd better stay the night as even if transport arrived in the next few minutes I doubt if I'd be able to get to bed at home. I stood my son down and transport was postponed until the next morning. The nurses helped me to get fro the wheelchair onto the bed and to remove my trousers.

I had a surprisingly good nights sleep. The nurse said that transport was rebooked from 08:00. I got my trousers on and waited on the bed. I was pleased that breakfast came before the transport. No sign of the ambulance by mid-morning and I was moved back to the transport lounge where I was fed and watered at lunch time. My mobile phone signal strength was too weak for outgoing calls or texts but I could receive texts from my son (who was working from home). He tried to get the admin of the transfer lounge to order me a wheelchair taxi but despite saying one would be avaiable in five minutes nothing appeared.

Sometime between 16:00 and 16:30 my next door neighbour arrived - she had been at a meeting at the hospital and told my wife she'd find me. She knew one of the admin staff and persuaded her to order a taxi directly (rather than through hospital transport). We were told to meet the taxi at the main entrance. We got there just as the taxi did. Once in the cab, I called my son to make sure he was there to get be into the house and into bed.

A formal complaint to North West Ambulance is being prepared!

On Friday I had a regular meeting with the consultant urologist at Stepping Hill hospital. No transport glitches for this visit. The consultant's clinic was running an hour late. With my PSA rising again he reckons that chemotherapy is the way to go and will refer me to the oncologist. I should get an appointment in the next four weeks.