"Losing my sight and lack of decision making."

After learning I had metastatic breast cancer after awhile the sight in my right eye diminished. After examination by my optometrist, they announced that I had mets in that eye.

After investigation, I found Townsville Hospital had a CT report that stated that my ophthalmic vein was enlarged for a reason not known. At no stage was I made aware of this as I would have asked the whether it was related to the breast cancer.

I was sent to Townsville Hospital Ophthalmology unit for investigation where it was confirmed I had cancer in my right eye. I was told all they would offer was to remove my eye. I declined. I then asked about seeing someone that knew how to try and save my eye. I was sent to an Ophthalmology Oncologist in Brisbane who I recall was shocked at what Townsville Hospital had offered as in their professional opinion all I needed was a few treatments of radiation which  would stop the cancer in its tracks.

The specialist spoke over the phone to my GP plus Townsville Hospital immediately. It took months before Townsville Hospital offered me this treatment and in fact the Townsville Hospital Oncologist first refused me any radiation. It took a complaint to get any action. By this stage the cancer had progressed to cover the right eye and due to scarring the damage is permanent.

The Ocular Oncologist also advised Townsville Hospital that I have regular 6 week check ups but by Dec 2024 they cancelled my appointments for months so my GP wrote to them with her concerns. 4 months later I finally get a check up and I am told the cancer has now migrated to my left eye.

As this is my only good eye now you would think some urgency would prevail but yet again I had to wait months for treatment. I find the hospital system full of delays. I feel that my quality of life has no priority at this hospital.