"Medical Oncology"

Have stage 4 breast cancer that has metastasis but full extent not known due to Townsville Univesity Hospital being seemingly unwilling to organise a pet scan with sedation as I have claustrophobia which is an anxiety disorder. I felt the oncologist was condescending and patronising telling me that I would be fine with diazepan which has never worked for a scan longer than 2 mins in the past. I understand a pet scan is 20 mins minimum.

Diagnosed in the first half of 2023 with no idea how far the cancer has spread. It is dumbfounding, in my opinion, to think protocols are not in place for patients with anxiety and in fact I was refused radiation pain treatment for the bone cancer mets due to my claustrophobia. I received a phone call a month back from a lovely lady who performs the pet scan and she advised me that she was not informed about my condition and said she would not perform the scan without the proper sedation.

I went to an appointment recently at the Oncology department but left after finding that I was going to be seen by yet another doctor who did not seemingly even have the decency not to look annoyed as I took too much time getting up out of the chair because of the bone pain. I felt no empathy there at all and I am sick of dealing with what I feel are horrible doctors at this hospital.