Consumer Liaison consumerliason@petermac.org
PATIENT FEEDBACK
My stay in Peter Mac from Tues, 6 Feb 2018 tom Mon 13 Feb 2018 in Ward 5A Bed 16
Writing in point form for clear & succinct communication:
Prior to this, I was treated by 3 different hospitals namely Genesis (Michael Chao); Epworth (Prof McKendricks) & Peter Mac (Sarat Chander) since 2015
Coming to the realisation that it might be better to do this under one interactive centre, I requested my GP, Dr Abraham Mass to refer me to Peter Mac so I could do this. This done in Dec 2017 resulting obtaining the earliest appointment from you on 6 Feb 2018
I was treated by Sarat in 2015 before going to Kerala, India for Ayurvedic treatment. This together with the Hormone therapy bring down my PSA levels from + 350 to 14.8 in Sept 2015 but this couldn't be sustained. Sarat was most concerned by this and made a personal phone call to me to re-consider if I was doing the right thing. I continue to be impressed by such a caring & humanistic caring professional!
Then, on seeing him, on 6 Feb, my wife & I shared with him what I had been through was going since then. My Cancer had deteriorated and he and his Registrar Dr. Beini who complimented his professional etiquette to the "t" assured me not to be disappointed as there were many options still left for me.
Not privy to my 2nd bone scan on 22 Jan, my wife and I were most apprehensive. We were quite surprised at the level of deterioration and so was Sarat who arranged for an immediate Emergency admission that evening.
I was assigned to Ward 5A Bed 16 under the Registrar Patrici and her Registrar, Dr Felicity. The next day they came to see me to advise me on my case. This first meeting turned out to be rather confrontational with unwarranted remarks like:
* this is not a 5 Star and I would be discharged ASAP
* that I may never be able to walk unaided ever again;
*Radiologists are not true doctors!
Then, after they left the room, I remembered some pertinent information I should have given them which could affect my treatment protocol and requested another 2 mins of their time to inform them of this but I was not accommodated though Felicity did re-visit me, then.
The next day, the Oncology team headed by Prof Peter Green followed up with this to give me my prognosis. He was most optimistic and consoled me that I had a good chance to make a good hile
Before being admitted, I had already fallen 6 times, 4 of these directly on my patella on hard ground which rattled my confidence and put a good amount of fear in me! Tis happened on the R patella which was already damaged in a whiplash 35 years ago. Now with the nerve impingement in the lower lumbar made matters even worse.
I then fell again on Thursday while the Physiotherapist, Dr Jessica visited me. She became most concerned gave immediate instructions to the Ward that the alarms should be at the highest level even if I were to attempt just to get out of bed.
A steady stream of professionals attended to me daily from then on. I have been assigned to be under the duty of care to Prof Guy Toner, whom I am yet to have a first consultation with.
I was then advised to have 5 sessions of Radiotherapy and attend Physio twice a day. This meant Registrar couldn't discharge me because I had now become a liability to myself.
Sarat also arranged for have a comprehensive X-ray done for me so that he could recommend me to get on the Denusab treatment protocol ASAP.
I am happy with this and happy to go ahead after Sarat assessing the results of my next PSA score on my next meeting with him on Mar 20. I might add here that I am also open to having PSMR experimental trials if the Oncology team deems this appropriate for me.
Concluding, I like to add here that the purpose of this feedback is not to fix any blame on anyone. This is done to inform you of how impressed my wife, siblings and well-wishers and I are with level of professional Cancer treatment in PeterMac despite the initial glitches. Personally, I feel that the care of treatment I received here is just as good as Mt Sinai or Hope in USA and we'll jointly endeavour to make PeterMac the best Cancer treatment in the Universe!
Almost all staff, right down from those down the line like Kelly; Sarodee; Anthony; Tara, Ingrid, Georgina, Jess, Felicity and most importantly the staff from Radiology treated me with respect & care, especially John & Josh.
I look forward to continuing to work with you in from here-on.
Thank You
Anthony Alfred
19 Feb 2018
Melbourne read more