Now lets move on to the painful/tender left breast issue...
It became troublesome early last year, and on 5th February 2021 I reported it to the LRI haematology team because I have to report all new or changed lumps, bumps, rashes etc. in case they're either secondary cancers or manifestations of GvHD. They thought that it was probably benign gynaecomastia but to be on the safe side they set me up for a CT scan with contrast.
That scan was done on 4th March 2021 but the scanner-jockey wouldn't use contrast despite me saying that I'd been told that it was necessary to have it.
At haemo clinic on 10th March 2021 the scan results were discussed... "nothing found, but specific area not specifically looked at", which seemed a waste of time to me and to the Haematology Consultant. She said that it was likely that the scan will have to be done again at a time when a haemo doc could be in attendance to ensure that contrast is given. She also said that I may also get an ultrasound scan.
At haemo clinic on 24th March 2021 the matter was discussed again... further scans had not been arranged, but they would "get the Breast Specialist involved".
At haemo clinic on 9th April 2021 the matter was discussed yet again... further scans still not arranged, and Breast Specialist not yet involved. The haemo consultant said that he'd chase it up.
And that was pretty much the end of it for the rest of 2021. No scans, no specialist, no suggested treatment but plenty of tender/painful swelling.
By the start of 2022 I'd had enough of having to put up and shut up. It was time to rattle a few cages.
The Magic Word, used at the haemo clinic of 9th March 2022 to get the shoulder issue kick-started, also worked for this issue - within days I was holding an appointment letter telling me to attend the Department of Breast Surgery at Glenfield Hospital on 21st March!
Sadly, the Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon there was another "wants to talk but not listen" doctor. He confirmed benign gynaecomastia and told me to apply Ibuprofen, I replied that I had been on the maximum dose of oral Ibuprofen for other issues for over a year and had been told to not increase my Ibuprofen use in any way, but he ignored that. Sounds familiar, eh? I specifically told him that the report from the consultation must go to the haemo consultants at LRI, as it was them that raised the referral.
Five days later my copy of the clinic letter arrived. It's riddled with errors. It states that I've been reporting "painful lumpiness... for the last few weeks", rather than for over a year. It completely omits the instruction to apply Ibuprofen, and also omits any other suggestions for managing the condition. And just for good measure, he sent the letter to my GP (who was blissfully unaware of this issue) but didn't send it to the LRI haemo consultants despite my telling him to do so. Finally, the letter ends with "The patient was reassured and discharged"... that's cop-out bull-shit, I was not reassured then, and I'm sure as hell not reassured now.
Based on all available evidence, I have diagnosed his condition as "HITS" (Holier-than-thou Ignorant Twat Syndrome).
As you'd expect, I've been on the phone yesterday and today giving them appropriate doses of corrective grief. In fact, I've spent more time sorting their fuck-ups than I spent being fondled and scanned by the breast surgeon.
It looks like there are limits to how much good can be achieved by using the Magic Word.
