Consent but different procedure

[circuspony]

I’ve had a shocking appointment today and inclined to make a complaint.

3 weeks ago I found out I needed a vacuum assisted extraction of a lump. Had a meeting with the consultant and she confirmed it would be via ultrasound so basically the same as the initial biopsy - but bigger needles.

Today I get shown into a room with a mammogram machine and a chair and told it wasn’t going to be the ultrasound. I wasn’t happy as I was taken through a new form but I’ve taken the day off work (I’m self employed so that’s £0) & felt pressurised to go ahead. I only have small boobs and I know this lump is quite far back - you can’t feel it - so I just couldn’t see that squeezing my boob between 2 plates AND trying to get a needle in would work.

It didn’t. I also have an old shoulder injury so by the time they’d tried 2 sitting positions and failed they had me lying down on my side - on my dodgy shoulder. Boob clamped in and the practitioner dives off to get another consultant to check where the needle should go. By this point I’ve been in the position for 10 mins and I can feel my back and shoulder starting to spasm. She finally gets around to the local anaesthetic and quite quickly starts to poke. It hurts a lot! This wasn’t “pressure” this was pain. I had to stop them. So she gets the consultant back again (I’m still clamped in!) & they agree to stop.

Despite me looking obviously wobbly not one of the 3 ladies in the room checked i was ok as I got dressed. I ended up taking myself into the waiting room to sit down because I felt so dizzy.

I’m sitting here on the sofa now with a back in spasm and a very sore neck. If this procedure had been the one discussed with the original consultant I would have been able to say to her that I don’t think my shoulder would cope (it barely copes with the mammogram, but that’s quick). Instead I signed the consent form for one procedure and found myself faced with another.

And is it normal for these procedures to be done by Advanced practitioners? She was lovely but getting the consultant in twice didn’t leave me with much confidence

[Lizaki]

The PALS service is there for you to be able to make a complaint and the service is not going to get better if they are not made aware of when they get it wrong. I would go ahead and explain your problems. Xx

[leae]

That sounds awful, so sorry to hear. I don’t think you should be expecting one procedure and then find yourself in a different situation, especially without consultation.

I hope you feel better soon and agree you should raise this with them.

Take care xx

[circuspony]

Updating my own post because I know i read so much on here so for anyone who comes across it.

I did raise a complaint with PALS. The response from the head of the Breast Unit was basically ar5e covering and anyone who works in customer services in the private sector would have bashed their head against the nearest wall. She finished the letter by saying that they still believed guided extraction by mammogram was the best way forward, but with no explanation as to how they would make the experience any different to the first time

So I refused and told them to do it by ultrasound as first discussed.

That happened on Friday and it was such a good experience i nearly cried thanking the Radiologist & nurse who did it. I felt nothing. If it hadn’t been for the machine noise I wouldn’t have even known I had a large needle in my left breast. The Radiologist decided to go back again because he could still see a small bit of lump and no pain, no pressure, no big deal.

Lovely aftercare (rather than just being pointed at the exit) too.

Obviously I still need the results but this has been hanging over me since February so I’m just relieved the lump is out.

So please, if you aren’t happy with something then advocate for yourself. There is zero need to be in pain during procedures.

[mssteel]

So pleased that you took action and got the procedure you felt was best for you @circuspony.

All the best for your results. x