Being accompanied in an ambulance taxi

[mogs]

As I have a first visit with an oncologist this week I need some morale support so my husband is accompanying me to the hospital. I was given a bon de transport,  is it ok to take someone with you in an ambulance taxi?

As I am posting, has anyone received chemo treatment in France for breast cancer?   I am desperate to find out from others experiences.

[Chrissie]

I have accompanied my husband several times in an ambulance taxi with no probs.

Sorry cannot help you on the treatment for breast cancer, but wish you good luck

Chrissie (81)

[Lesbatees]

Mogs,

I have received chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for primary and secondary breast cancer in France.  What do you want to know?

 

[mogs]

Hi Lesbatees, I have so many questions but to start off with, was you offered plenty of anti nausea/sickness medication at the same time as chemo? The reason I ask this is that my friend who is a cancer specialist nurse has said that if given at the same time, it does help with preventing these side effects.

Are cancers graded the same as in UK?   Do you have a nurse that you regularly see either at home or at your GP rather than visiting the hospital?   If you had chemo, was it just an outpatients appt or were you taken into hospital to have it?

I'm sure there will be much more, I am trying to prepare a list to take with me to the Onco but I am not sure how well we will be able to understand each other.

Thanks for your help

[Nickel]

You are doing the right thing in making a list to take to your oncologist - people often forget to ask the things that really concern them until after they have left the hospital.

The grading and staging of cancers is now quite universal ( though always evolving).

I am sure you will receive adequate "anti-sickness" medication, again make sure this is something you ask about.

Best wishes

 

 

[lizzy h]

hi there, sorry to hear you have breast cancer, however I think the treatment here is first class, we are currently going down this road with my mother, I go with her when she has appointments at the hospitals in the ambulance, my mother has never had the chemo treatment she had a lumpectomy and glands removed and a intensive bout of radiotherapy over a 6 week period every day ( this was very tiring for her she is 70) however she has come out of it and has just check ups every three months and is on tablets for five years, have you been told you will be getting chemo because they do try to avoid giving you it  it does depend on how advanced the cancer is ( what stage)

I wish you all the best but keep optimistic and  get plenty of rest and good food

[Lesbatees]

Ok, here goes:

I wouldn't worry about being offered plenty of anti-nausea stuff, etc.  I have a positive EU mountain of drugs which I was given during treatment and you only have to say if it isn't working and they will offer you something more effective.  However, that said, don't expect anything to completely prevent side effects.  My after experience of chemo (Taxotere) was like two to three days of the world's worst hangover.  Not nice but can be tolerated.  The other chemo I've had (Navelbine) didn't cause any problems with nausea but induced grinding fatigue which meant I had to stay in bed most of the time for several days after the treatment.

Can't tell you if cancers are graded the same as in the UK, I'm afraid, as I've never asked.  I haven't felt it profited me to know the information.  I would say it is very likely that they are as medical terminology seems to be pretty universal.

My chemo and radiotherapy was always dealt with at the hospital (as an outpatient appointment) and check ups are always with the oncologist.  My GP is not involved, although he is kept informed.  I have regular blood tests and hormone injections and these are delivered at home by a nurse.  I have to arrange these appointments directly with her.

If there's anything else you want to know, please ask.

Good luck,

V.

[Lesbatees]

Hi Mog,

Hope your consultation with the oncologist went well and you are getitng the treatment you need.

Best wishes,

V.