After initial diagnosis & the big fight to get rid of Lymphoma all through my body, I had time to finally think about all that had happened to me prior to diagnosis & my then current health fight as a result of a delayed diagnosis. It was then (when I was declared 'in remission') that I felt my world crumble & mentally: I was able to grasp the previous 1.5 years worth of physical symptoms and difficult treatment. I felt I may have been close to a breakdown and it was at this time, I started treatment to stabilise my mind and emotions. I maintain this treatment even now to ensure I stay well both mentally & emotionally.
Eleven months prior to diagnosis (November 2005) when I finally felt a lump in my R breast - I knew in my head & my heart that something was not right & I then launched my own search to find out what was wrong. I have always known that not only was negligence involved, but also a deeper issue that millions grapple with globally. YOUTH can often be a setback when trying to get a diagnosis. I look well most of the time and I look about 25, when really - I am much older. Not only are cancers in the 18-40 age groups usually more aggressive, but also masked by the way a younger person looks. Therefore delayed diagnosis is also a huge issue for this age group.
(I was 35 when I was diagnosed and did not appear sick, still now, even on my worst days, I look beautiful and youthful and thus this can be a problem, when relating my pain and body symptoms).
After 21 doctors visits with 7 different doctors, in desperation I visited my ER & thus our discovery, treatment commenced.
After treatment and approx. 6 months of recovery, I decided to return to full-time work & I hung on for an additional 8 months, until my health declined again & it was time to look at treatment for a second time (relapse 01).
Most people could not believe I was returning to try work again - what I had been through was extraordinary, but I wanted to start again in my previous full-time job. I had determined that this Lymphoma was not going to retire me....not just yet anyway.
It was when I had first stepped into remission (March/07) that I started to explore my options regarding legal action or an investigation.
I started on the internet and everything I read just sounded like my previous experiences. I started to contact lawyers with expertise in medical negligence. By November/07, I had returned to work, but did not give up in trying to get to the bottom of why I was treated so poorly, in trying to achieve diagnosis.
Relapse started again in January/08 and I left work for more treatment in August/08 (relapse 01). Subsequently, regardless of whether I worked or not, I continued to pursue a legal case or investigation, even as I recovered from the first lot of disease and through the first relapse.
To come to a final resolution, it took me 2 years & 3 months of consulting, discussions and investigations with both the Health Quality & Complaints Commission & The Queensland Medical Board to finally get an outcome, in my favour.
I had little support from all angles and was aware that many people around me had told me that chasing it was a 'waste of time' or 'not good for me'. But, I continued (on my own) as felt I needed closure and also to ensure this did not happen to any other patients, in the interest of public safety.
To this day, it is my firm belief that due to the medical negligence and subsequent delayed diagnosis, I received - my health status has remained in a relapsing pattern. The deeper the disease, the harder to medically treat it and keep it away.
It is now my hope that I will TODAY be rid of all tumour and disease, to start a new life.
