Monday 9th August

Jane finally left home to go to hospital (via ambulance - my driving is so bad) at about 7.30pm last night. She was seen by a doctor at about 11pm. She has been on the 'Whiteparish Medical Assessment Unit' since last night. There are no beds in the hospice or on the Pembroke Cancer ward at the moment.

We generally have a fantastic service from the NHS but the Whiteparish experience has not been great. It wasn't that busy last night (at least to my untrained eye) but the doctor (very young) took ages to get to Jane and then didn't seem to understand what we were saying. In the end they put in a syringe driver for cyclizine (anti-sickness) early this morning but it had dud batteries. They replaced the batteries but then didn't release the clamp until this afternoon (aaaghh!). If Jane wasn't so woozy from other stuff they have pumped in she'd be beside herself. Some of the nurses and ancillaries are very pleasant and helpful but they lack experience on palliative care issues. Fortunately one of the nurses from the hospice has been up 2 or 3 times to give advice.

Rant over - good news; Dr Kirk visited from the hospice and made a fast analysis. I anticipate that Jane will see the oncologist later this afternoon and will then be moved to a more appropriate ward. First priority is to re-establish pain control and overcome nausea. Second, to determine underlying causes - if any other than the fever and chest infection already diagnosed.

Thank you all, very sincerely from both of us, for your love and prayers. Will blog again shortly.

God bless.