Download The Patient Journey

Sue Kernaghan
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Diagnosed with breast cancer on 9/11 2002
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Basal cell carcinoma in 2007
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GIST Gastrointestinal stromal tumour in July
2009
Different experience each time in my care
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The Friday evening after biopsy under
mammogram
Passed from one place to another, nobody
would accept responsibility
I ended up in A&E, in a queue which was
totally inappropriate
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Listen to what the patient is saying. Do not
assume a diagnosis if symptoms point to a
diagnosis. It was assumed I was a drunk as
had an upper GI bleed
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Hair loss is horrific: one patient said it was
worse than diagnosis
Chemo brain is alive and well in patients and
sometimes it does not go away
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Relevant and timely
Do not overwhelm if lots of information e.g.
breast cancer
Do give information even if rarer cancer even
if it is a written diagnosis
Important after treatment: transition
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Encourage the patient to help themselves:
This is not “think positive” or “fighting the
disease” We are not brave!
Self help:
◦ Exercise
◦ Complementary therapy
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They are important too
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They can help manage the patient
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Listen to their concerns
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Nurse in chemo suite ignored the body
language yelled depression. Could she see it?
Radiotherapist: sometimes have to refer
patients for admission even if the patient
wants to go home
Should have a fellow professional to talk to
communication is key
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Not just at diagnosis, and during treatment
but at the end of treatment and beyond
The transition from a patient to a survivor is a
real scary time and some low level
psychological support at this time would
alleviate anxiety.
Many pts are prescribed SSRIs yet at this time
support and talking therapy will bring long
term benefits and would be cheaper