PANIC!

Got into a real panic on Tuesday afternoon when Stephen took a turn for the worse. He looked ghastly - white, shaky, hot and cold.  Thought he was dying. 

Didn't know what to do or who to contact.   Had received no instructions from hospital as to what to do in an emergency - apart from getting Stephen to A & E - but he was too ill to move, plus it takes an hour to get there.

No point in contacting a MacMillan nurse who, nice as they are, merely give advice and act as a kind of social worker.

Rang the surgery and talked to the cancer nurse (E) who proved marvellously efficient and immediately set things in motion. Arranged for Stephen's GP to visit us (yesterday) and a District Nurse to pop in frequently (expecting her any minute).  She also contacted the Hospice on our behalf, resulting in an appointment next Tuesday for Stephen to be assessed as to his/our present and future needs incorporating a palliative care team.  

That's what I call help and we immediately felt better knowing support systems were being put in place.

Stephen's GP was marvellous.  Spent a good half-hour with him. Reassuring - discussed, amongst other things, the psychological benefit of having a positive attitude towards his illness - remarked how many cancer patients just give up, whereas a strong spirit (not in alcoholic or religious terms) can extend life, and he felt Stephen had that positive attitude. 

Discussed the role of our Hospice and the forthcoming interview on Tuesday with Prof MB.

As a matter of interest we, alongside many others, assumed CancerCare was linked to our local Hospice. Not so.  They actually compete for funds.

CancerCare is a separate charity - receiving  lots of publicity - for which tremendous amounts of funds are raised, whereas the Hospice stands alone and struggles financially yet gives real practical help that one needs at a time like this. 

In future I shall fund raise for the Hospice not CancerCare who, I understand, have funds aplenty.  

Stephen was put off by a number of factors, plus the fact that our local CancerCare do not provide/approve of reflexology which he felt would help him to relax, whereas the Hospice provides everything.

Nurse has arrived.