Hi,
I am hoping to move house, to a different part of the country, in the next few months.
I am just about to finish 2 years of abemaciclib tablets.
I will then just need 2 more IV bisphosphonates to go, 6 months apart and oral anastrazole for next 8 years.
I thought about staying with my current hospital team to complete my treatment, but, (god forbid) if I have any problems in the future, I would want to be treated locally. I was really ‘lucky’ that I only had a 10 minute trip home after my chemotherapy treatment, or when I had neutropenic sepsis, it only took 10 minutes to reach ED… Now seems the right time to move so I can make contact with a local team, and hopefully build up a relationship with them, so I have contacts for any future issues.
I am looking at Leeds, Harrogate, York, Malton area.
Does anyone have any recommendations or positive stories of those areas, or just moving care between hospitals/teams? Any suggestions of things to consider when transferring care?
For instance, I have been collecting my scan reports etc just in case there is a delay in electronically transferring.
Hi, I’ve been under the care of York since Jan 23. and I’ve had no problems. Like most units they are busy but I have not had long waits for any of my care. I have 6 months of my Abemaciclib still to take and like yourself 2 more bisophosphates to have. They usually coordinate my Abemaciclib reviews with the bisophosphates infusions. There is a smallish multi story car park at York but traffic can be heavy around the hospital as at peak times and they can be a que of cars waiting to access the car park. There is also a park and ride bus service at Rawcliffe which is 3 miles north of the hospital. I believe Malton ladies access York or Scarborough for their care as these areas come under the same trust.
If you require any further information about York please feel free to message me.
I live in Leeds and had all my treatments at The Bexley Wing (specialised cancer wing) at St James’s Hospital (Jimmy’s). They were excellent - late 2020 to mid 2021 (think lockdowns!) for the op, chemo and rads. Then until November last year for 6 monthly Zometa infusions. Now all that’s done and dusted, the BCNs are on the ball if ever I have a lymphoedema or cording flare and those teams are excellent too… as I’ve just had to see them.
Hi, I’m just the other side of Harrogate but chose to have my treatment in Leeds. Leeds is brilliant as @Gelbel says. A super regional centre, with expertise and knowledge at their fingertips. Would definitely recommend. Best wishes.
The Magnolia Centre ( Breast Care ) at York functions really well . There’s been a couple of blips but on the whole very good support from the BCNs who also run support groups at York and Scarborough. I’ve had a few appointments wit the BCNs in clinic and I’ve always been able to get hold of them easily and get an appointment quickly . I had a good surgeon as well .They have a clinic in Scarborough but I’m not sure about Malton which is a community Hospital with no acute services - more for investigations and no breast care services . It’s about 30 minutes drive to York Hospital from Malton - though the ring road can get very busy .
I had radiotherapy and saw the Oncologist at the Bexley Wing at St. James Leeds - again that was all very organized and well run . Quite a calming environment actually .I was always able to park ok at the Bexley Wing and at that time it was free for patients to park - not sure about now. I’ve had the same experience of having to queue at York for the multistory but not for very long. Xx
@LauraR I moved centres midway through Kadcyla treatment and I did find it stressful as there was just a 3 week window and care can’t be transferred. I had to find a new GP, and get them to refer me into my new local centre. Once I was seen by the new centre they then requested all my documents from Reading. But I was v impressed with how quickly it actually happened in the end. But I’m only in the chemo system. For example I had to contact mammogram service as I wasn’t on their system, and I’ve had late effects of radiotherapy so had to get myself into that team too. But it’s doable xx
I moved last year from Doncaster/bassetlaw down to Southampton hospital. I made sure as soon as I was moving I contacted the local gp who got me a
2 week referral with the hospital as she found that the only way to get me into the system.
You could always contact what would be your new hospital and ask them I found them all very helpful.
Leeds certainly sounds good and great to know the BCNs are on the ball too.
As to parking - those things really matter!
Thanks for this information - hope you are all doing well.
Laura
Some really useful info in there. I had thought I could be referred onwards, so helpful to know I need a new GP quickly, and for them to do referral. Good idea to contact the new hospital to ask what they need…
Also good to know about being registered in different areas such as mammogram service. I wouldn’t have thought of that until I didn’t get an appointment on time, then had to play catch up…
Thank you for your ideas/suggestions…
Laura
Huge car park opposite the wing. There are dedicated onc. spaces too by the exit. Can’t get one 100% of the time - 9 times out of 10 you can though. Attendants v quick to let you out FOC with onc. appointment letter or blue badge.
I went through something similar a couple of years ago and found a quieter lifestyle made a big difference during recovery. I ended up spending a few months at El Bosque Nosara Costa Rica, and the calm there helped me get my head straight. It gave me space to think about what I wanted next without the usual noise. Sometimes changing your surroundings really can lift some of the weight.