"Ovarian Cysts & Lack of Care"

I presented to the Emergency Department with a severe pain to my right hand side lower abdomen, I notified the triage that I had pain 48 hours prior to my attendance and has moved lower and is now severe. When taken through to a bed, it was a student doctor who completed my stomach exam as well as general questions about past medical issues. I was finally provided with pain relief, which helped calm me down, however I was still in pain. 

An hour and a half later, I was taken into the Radiological section for a pelvic and abdo ultrasound. The person conducting this, was again a student and the student doctor was also present in the room. The doctor overlooking the students completing the ultrasound stated that they couldn't find my appendix or ovaries via abdo ultrasound and would suggest an internal ultrasound. Again, they stated that they found nothing concerning. 

Another hour after this occurred, one of the emergency doctors brought me into a bed to complete another stomach exam. They advised that due to my appendix not being visible during the ultrasound, however presenting with all symptoms of appendicitis, they gave me an option to either have a CT scan or go home and monitor the pain. When explaining the process of having a CT scan, they advised their concerns relating to the radiation and the potential of cancer growth, as well as that they take these scans very seriously due to this. I felt pressured to go home and monitor the pain, once the doctor had explained how they felt about doing these scans. I recall their exact words during this was 'we can't see your appendix, there's no signs of appendicitis in your blood test or urine, however you have presented with all other symptoms. This could be 50/50 your appendix.' They also advised that I was then sent home with pain medication.
 

After a week of still experiencing constant pain, I decided to see my GP who looked at the report completed by the doctor at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. The first line of the report said 'fluid present to Abdo', to which he explained this should have been a red flag and considered as a concern, and not sent me home from the hospital. He ordered an urgent CT scan after completing a stomach exam. He stated that every symptom that I had and the pain I felt during the stomach exam, pointed to having appendicitis.

Once the report was completed after my CT scan (at a radiological clinic) it was found that I have had a cyst rupture on my ovary, hence the fluid in my stomach, and the pain. It was also found that I have a current additional cyst on my ovary, 2x small cysts in my liver, and a cyst on my bladder. My doctor has organised another urgent ultrasound to occur. I am currently on antibiotics and steroids', as well as tramadol to assist with the pain. If the pain does not go away after this course of medication, I will be required to have surgery. It was also explained to me that my Dr had received the actual ultrasound report from the hospital which stated 'possibly ovary cyst rupture'.

The possible ovary cyst rupture, nor the fluid in my Abdo was not explained to me by the doctors in the ED at the time.

If Sir Charles Gairdner had qualified doctors examine me rather than students, or had completed a thorough ultrasound by a qualified sonographer instead of students being overlooked, as well as communicate their correct findings during the times of their several exams, this could have been dealt with immediately. I have been so concerned the last 9 days, as well as experiencing severe pain, thinking that my appendix is due to burst at any time. While the news of cysts isn't great, it is better than being constantly concerned about my appendix bursting. 

I am concerned in regards to the lack of care and findings of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital when it comes to Woman's Health and am incredibly upset with this outcome.