Two hospital views

The first is yet another hospital waiting room. Underneath that are some bluebells growing in a bit of untended ground just outside the hospital entrance.

I was told that I MUST arrive at 8 am for my biopsy. Reception yesterday told me that if I needed a porter to get me to the right place I must arrive earlier than 8 am. Guess what? ‘Reception’ doesn’t open till 8 am! My volunteer hospital driver helped to get me there, but we had no directions. The Reception of where I needed to be was also closed. There was a phone on the desk and I had to choose between 3 numbers and phone. I was then asked for my hospital number!!

When things finally got started several different staff approached me with checklists. They already had all my info in their system but for some reason they were using paper forms. I was asked the same questions over and over again. They had sent me a letter with a list of specific blood tests they required; if not done ahead of today there would be ‘delays’ while they did their own tests. The only thing they needed to do was take blood pressure. The day went downhill fast after this. They kept taking it, waiting 15 minutes, and taking it again. J was told that the bottom figure had to be 60 or below before the biopsy could be done. It got to 62 and they cancelled the biopsy. They wanted to discuss it with my kidney consultant but he was having two months holiday! They said the BP thing would be explained in my discharge letter - but then said that the person who issues discharge letters wasn’t working today. So I would get it in the post.

I had been told that after the biopsy I would have to lie flat for 6 hours before I could be discharged. So my driver had to go back to St Austell and wait for ne to call him to collect me. It meant I would be charged for two separate journeys. So it cost me £45. I had been told I wouldn’t be fit to drive myself straight after the biopsy.

I had had to make several arrangements for today and all for nothing. Getting up very early to be picked up at 7am was not fun! I just love hospitals!