Dear Maureen and Ian
I do wish you well in your battle. I'm glad that you, Maureen, have the emotional energy to carry on with it.
I was misdiagnosed for months as worsening arthritis, when the fact I had reported weakening and falling (not results of arthritis) should have alerted GP. I also begged for Private Appointment with Consultant, but couldn't even get that! Consultant said if I went to him I would have to pay for ALL subsequent treatment!!!
When I was finally admitted to hospital ,when completely unable to bear my weight, a simple test, knocking my knee with no response, immediately alerted a general Consultant that something serious was wrong. THEN came all the tests, MRI, Full body xrays etc. A tumour on my spine was causing compression. This was removed within a week and Myeloma diagnosis followed. All this five months after I had started complaining of severe back pain. One physio told me my problem was "in my mind" because I had lost confidence! (I think that was my lowest point pre diagnosis.)
The General Consultant made a fuss for me, and as far as I know, protocols were changed in my area and folk were sent for MRI scans before they saw a Consultant. The laugh was, an Appointment to see a Consultant eventually came for a months after all this had happened.
I was very fortunate not to be paralysed as the Consultant said youe very rarely get the use of your legs back once you have lost it. For that I feel very grateful, but I could be walking much better now if I had have had that earlier diagnosis'
A couple of times I shouild have made a complaint myself, about my treatment, but it takes energy, that with everything elso going on is often just too much.
All best wishes to the two of you. Get truth and justice, not just for you, but for all of us.
Lots of love.
Mavis x
