I posted this on the Undergoing Treatment forum, but was advised that I should also post this message in this category too. For me this is an important issue and I would so appreciate comments.
On 14 January I had my mastectomy and immediate tissue expander reconstruction (final decisions about my reconstruction won’t happen until I get results from nymph node involvement). My BCN had assured me that everything would be okay and had described the type of ward I would be on. I envisaged a ward dedicated to breast cancer care. Instead I found myself on a gynaecology ward with peope who had breast cancer plus other medical conditions.
I was fortunate in that they gave me my own room. The nursing staff were absolutely fantastic. But their expertise was gynaecology - when I needed advice regards bras, they had to get the hospital’s breast cancer nurse in.
Shouldn’t everyone who faces breast cancer surgery expect dedicated wards for their treatment? Or am I being too idealistic?
How many people here have experienced their treatment in a dedicated breast care ward? What is the norm?
Well, until and if Gill posts elsewhere, I’ll answer here. My personal experience is that it really helps to have at least one other patient on the ward who’s having the same or very similar surgery. You can share experiences and feelings, compare progress, and generally bolster each other’s spirits. If you’re lucky, you’ll even strike up a more permanent friendship that lasts beyond your hospital stay - and that can be a real source of support.
On the other hand, I’m not sure I’d want the entire ward to consist of people going through the same thing as me. It’s quite nice to meet people with problems different to your own - stops you focusing only on your own troubles. I really enjoyed the mix of patients I had recently - some were day patients, some were patients needing just an overnight stay, and some were longer term residents like myself. We all got on famously.
I had my WLE on a gynaeological ward…which I was quite happy about as the ward is a nice small one [had previously had my hysterectomy there in 1999]…I was told my surgeon lked his breast cancer paitents to go onto this ward as it was small and there was hopefully less chance of infection.
I had a WLE, another lady had a mastectomy…also on the ward…but not with breast problems…was an elderly lady who’d has a mastectomy several years previously…it was really good to talk to her.
A BCN came into to see me just after surgery as did my surgeon,… yes a dedicated unit would be a good idea…particularly as I remember one of the nurses saying to me…‘’ we’ve only just started having breast cancer paitents on the ward so if a nurse asks if your pad needs changing don’t be alarmed!!! ‘’…by the way that never happened!
i was on a general post surgery ward, as i was only the second person in that hospital to have had a mastectomy and immediate ld recon they didn’t know what to do with me, so it was fend for yourself, after 8 days (even though my surgeon wanted me in for a further 3 days) i left due to what i felt was a lack of support, and ended up back in for a further 3 days after the weeken, it was a horrendous time for me, yet when i had my total hysterectomy with bilateral oopherectomy i couldn’t have been treated better and it was on the same ward with the same nurses. i think that if you have anything related to cancer then nurses should be available day and night to support you.
Alisonxxx
I was admitted after my first chemo to our local hospital. I was put on a surgical ward, they did put me in a room by myself, but they did not have a clue about nursing a cancer patient. I dont blame the staff, they were all lovely and kind but they are not trained to deal with this, I do think hospitals should have a ward with staff who are experienced to deal with cancer. Agree with Alison that support is needed day and night.
Jillxx
my first wWLE op i was on a predomenantly ear, nose and throat ward but our room of 5 beds did have 3 breast problems but when i had to go back for a further op 2 weeks later to gain clear margins and full node removal i ended up with a 5 bed room with the 4 thers who had had nose operations. i felt very isoloated, a dedicated ward would be brilliant
My WLE was done as a day case on a general day bed ward. I found out the following week that I had cancer (it was hidden by the benign fibroid I had removed) and had my nodes out 3 weeks later on a general surgical ward, but all the BC ladies were given side rooms with en suite facilities, TV and DVD.
I had my rads and second lot of chemo done at the Western General in Edinburgh and they have a dedicated BC unit there.
I was on a gyni ward when I had my wle and snb in Dec. I shared a room with 3 other ladies, a lady in her 50’s who had a hysterectomy, the girls one who was 92 and had had a colostomy and the other one who was 86 who had had a fall and was a long term patient. The staff were wonderful and I cannot fault the standard of care, there where 3 of us ladies who had had breast surgery but we were all in seperate rooms but used to meet up, one lady I had met at the Breast Clinic so it was good to have her to talk to and compare notes. It was lovely being with ladies who had different problems so that we talked about lots of different things rather than just cancer, made the mood lighter.
I am back in again in the morning for mastectomy, same ward so I will see if it is any different this time round.
I was put on an orthopaedic ward, luckily 2 other ladies in my bay (6 bedded bay) also had breast surgery.
The staff were not working within their area of expertise but tried their best. I am an ex-nurse and did intervene wih a few things. For example, my drains and another ladies drains had de-vacced and was causing a lot of pain. I asked the staff twice to renew them but they didn’t so I called the Senior Registrar to see us and he got the staff to change them. We were both painfree after that.
I went home on the 2nd day post-op because I couldn’t take it anymore i.e. I was totally self caring and there was nothing that the staff could do that I wasn’t capable of doing myself at home. I was also more comfortale at home. I was told to attend the Breast care dressing clinic 5 days later and given an appointment. When I arrived, they were not expecting me. The nurse said that this was a common occurence as I was discharged from the non designated breast care unit!
All the best for tomorrow Karen. At least you know the ropes this time around
I was on a dedicated ward, I found it very comforting that everyone else on the ward was in for the same thing, and I could compare notes & have a laugh with the ladies who had their mastectomies the same day as me. Also all the nurses were very knowledgable about everything.
I was also in a dedicated ward and must admit I thought this was the norm until I heard from an old friend that she had not (I think she was on a gynae ward). We all did our arm exercises together and had a bit of a laugh but my friend was not even told she had to do arm exercises and now has trouble moving her arm. And of course the nurses knew exactly what they were doing which was extremely comforting.
I had my treatment at the Western General in Edinburgh at the dedicated unit. The staff there are excellent. I also had further treatment there in a different ward where most of us had oncology doctors involved. Fortunately for me I found everyone very good and helpful though not everyone has the same experience. I think dedicated units are a good idea as it is a unique experience, though funding will be part of the problem in some hospitals.
I had emergency mastectomy and FNC in my local hospital, they do use the surgical ward but they reserve the bottom ensuite side rooms for breast cancer patients well away from the hustle and bustle of the main bays and corridor.
This suited me fine, I was 37, very body conscious and emotional and the last thing I wanted was to be sitting in a ward talking about it with people I didn’t know, it also suited my 2 kids as they were 8 and 6 so they didn’t disturb any other patients while rowing over the telly controls.
The BCN was not available as off sick but the ward nurses were fine and I was visited every morning by either my breast consultant/surgeon or one of his team.
The big countie main hospital 25 miles away has a dedicated ward, but I was glad I stayed local.
For my WLE 9 years ago I was on a general surgical ward and was the only breast patient, but cannot complain about the care which was very good. I was visited by the physio who taught me my arm exercises. When I had a mastectomy 2 years ago after a recurrence I was in a dedicated bc unit in a different hospital where the care was excellent and I was give a different set of exercises
In both cases I was in the open ward but didn’t feel this was a problem. Also in both cases I was seen regularly by one of the surgical team and by my bcn, so I think I was lucky both times with the standard of care.
I had my treatment in out local nuffield as we had private medical insurance. it was a private room in what i guess was a general ward, i think the staff were pritty busy but i felt rather neglected not by the surgical team but the aftercare. i wasn’t shown how to do any exercises nor was i sent home with sufficient painkillers or dressings and my husband had to go back to get more. Having said that i didn’t get MRSI or any horrid infections which was my main concern.
cheers
caroline
I was put on a gyni ward after my mastectomy, it was awful, it was full of old ladies who were confused and noisy.
I was only there two nights fortunately but don’t feel I was given a lot of support as they were too busy looking after the more demanding elderly ladies, but one splendid nurse did help to mop up my tears when I finally cracked and sobbed my heart out.
Thankfully I had a side room on a different ward for my reconstruction so was able to rest and read quietly.
I was visited by the physio and breast care nurse on both occasions and by the surgeon and the SHO daily after my reconstruction.
We have a dedicated breast care unit but not a dedicated ward as yet but I think it is steadily heading that way.
Back home yesterday after mastecetomy still of same opinion cant fault the nursing staff they were wonderful the ward was unbelievabley quite (in before Xmas and really busy) so the nurses really pampered me and the old lady sharing my ward. Isaw my surgeon every day apart from Sunday, the BCN came and saw me as did a physio. If I asked as question of the nursing staff and they didnt know the answer the contacted someone who did.
My personal experience is that it really helps to have at least one other patient on the ward who’s having the same or very similar surgery. You can share experiences and feelings, compare progress, and generally bolster each other’s spirits. If you’re lucky, you’ll even strike up a more permanent friendship that lasts beyond your hospital stay - and that can be a real source of support.