merlotgran, it is difficult to know what to say when you have had such a rotten day. Whilst I wouldn't expect doctors to be overly fluffy or to offer false hope, the consultant could have delivered bad news/prognosis in a more sensitive manner and spared a few minutes to answer any questions you and/or your daughter may have had. As your daughter's consultant is lacking in the social skills and communication departments I just hope she is a good oncologist and gives the best treatment possible for your daughter.
I do hope that, with your support, your daughter will learn to deal with her depression; it is horrible that she is now scared and I hope she can find some coping mechanisms to quell some of her fears. Do you have any clinical nurse specialists, cancer nurses, or any other healthcare support staff involved? If so, maybe they could be helpful. If you can find time and can bear to do it, it might be worth considering making a complaint so that your daughter is not subjected to a repeat of this rather brutal insensitivity and that others will not be future victims of such callousness. A little kindness can go a long way, especially when dealing with patients who have complex needs, nasty diagnosis, poor prognosis, chronic and/or life-threatening conditions, terminal illnesses etc. It costs nothing to be courteous and to at least make patients feel as though you listened to and heard their concerns then addressed any issues with professionalism and sensitivity.
I wish you and your daughter well and hope she is as comfortable and pain-free as possible - she is lucky to have a loving caring mum. You don't say how old her son is, but I hope he is coping OK too - it must be hard on all of you. for you and for your daughter. I hope that tomorrow will be a better day.
Good Morning Thursday 25th April 2024
Angela Rayner lashes out and calls Sunak “pint sized loser”.