aibu to think the treatment is often worse than the disease?

[juditz]

Bit of background:

my 84-year-old aunt was diagnosed with cervical cancer a month ago. They carried out a radical hysterectomy (she COULD have had radiotherapy instead but refused it) and released her-wound unhealed- a week afterwards from hospital. It's now infected and apparently oral antibiotics are not healing it. She was re-admitted to hospital monday. While she received good care at home from family (including myself) it was good care in terms of keeping her clean and fed and receiving fluids and general care but NOT medical care as such. The nurse kept an eye on the wound but, obviously, that didn't work out (not a judgement, more matter of fact).

I don't know but maybe I'm just venting but I'm a bit annoyed that

a, Such a serious operation was carried out on an 80-year-old when there was another alternative. I mean wtf? Surely the treatment here is worse than the disease in terms of negative outcomes?

b, why did they let her out with it unhealed? Is it not a false economy when medical care was needed for it to heal and not 'just' ( I say 'just' as I know it's important but not the only thing required) good auxilliary nurse care from family?

I'm a bit upset and probably just venting so don't be too harsh.

Fireside. Hope your husbands feeling ok.

Yes he is Staywithme, thanks for asking .

He has a minor procedure tomorrow and will have a timetable for the next few months worth of treatments/investigations.

He's had it for a few years now, it is under control and he's come to terms with the treatment to some extent.

I think we are just incredibly thankful for all the things that they can do to help him. His consultant has been wonderful and, fortunately, has great people skills.

Glad to read that firesidechat

Good luck for the procedure tomorrow. Isn't it amazing what they can do now? When my husband was first diagnosed, 15 months ago, we both thought that was it, game over. We don't know how long he has, though with bone spread it's usually a maximum of 5yrs, however he feels reasonably well at the moment and we really are making the most of our time together. I think we are incredibly lucky to have the NHS and want to thank each and every worker that makes some ones day a little better. That's from the cleaners to the the consultants and also all the charity workers and volunteers.

So sorry about your husband too Stay. It's a strange old world you enter when you, or someone around you, has cancer.

The medical staff have been excellent in almost all circumstances and we appreciate everything they do. My husband ended up going privately via workplace BUPA policy (long story), so the clinic is quite small and the staff always ask after him when they see me wondering the corridors in search of coffee. They almost feel like friends.

I hope that your husband continues to respond well to the treatments and that you and your family have many, many more happy times together.