24.3.16

Had a call from the specialist nurse practitioner telling me i had to have pre chemo bloods done yesterday otherwise i can't have chemo on monday! That was the message she got from pharmacy at the hospital. You'd have thought they could have let me know earlier wouldn't you? Im not at home so can't just call in to the hospital. Well this was the beginning of a day of stress, as well as seeing the funny side of life.
It was arranged that i would go to Trowbridge Hospital for the said bloods.
Trowbridge hospital don't take blood! Have you ever heard anything so daft! They probably don't do operations, or treatment, or even have patients either.
So Bath hospital then.
'But you don't have a blood form???'
'Can you not fax one across, or get a Bath doctor to write one?'
They decided to fax one.
It all seems so easy in my world. Im sure theres more to it than i know, but really.....
So i arrived at Bath and had to queue for a parking spot. Luckily i wasn't dying. Eventually got in and headed towards the entrance with signs such as B8 -B9. Or C21- 23. I decided to cut down on time and stress i would ask someone.
'Can you tell me where Neurology blood room is please?'
'B9. Turn left and turn right.'
Easily found.
I was given a number and told to sit.
A chinese lady came out and shouted a number. 5 Minutes later she returned with a male colleague (eastern european) and called another 2 numbers, missing me out. She saw my dismay so changed her mind.
I was told to follow the man into a room and he asked my date of birth. And then my name. And then my date of birth. And then my name!
You're not on my system.
I explained again the form had been faxed across from Poole as i needed bloods urgently.
He had no idea what to do with this situation.
I mentioned the name of the person whom the form had been faxed to and a little light bulb lit up in his head. He contacted her and it went to voicemail.
I was redeposited in the waiting room to wait.
Suddenly thrust in front of my face by the chinese lady, was a faxed blood form.
'Is this you?'
Yes it was so i was lead back to the room where the form was thrust in my face again.
'Is this you?'
'Yes.' I replied again.
'Are you sure?'
Maybe i should phone a friend.
She took the blood through a needle and syringe. They couldn't use my line because they're not trained for it! Thats the joy of the line. You don't have to endure many pricks! She told me she would mark it as urgent, even though it was already marked as urgent.
'These results will go to Poole won't they?' I asked.
Well..... i had a lecture from her for about 5 minutes and all i got out of it was 'nurse, ring, 2, best'
I think she meant, to be sure of getting the results the nurse should ring and check around 2pm!
I just stood, wide eyed, and then escaped as soon as i could.
And now today i have woken with a cold and a violent cough! Thats not gonna be good on monday.
Monday? Whats happening monday? Its chemo day. However, admissions haven't rang me with a time and i don't know if their department is open over the easter holidays! I give up!