I needed several GP appointments before finally being diagnosed
Clayton was sent home with antibiotics courses and came and went from several GP appointments before eventually being diagnosed with AML (acute myeloid leukaemia). He explained to us the lack of support in the room when he was diagnosed and his advice for young people to be aware of signs and symptoms.
Following the General Election and change of government, one of our key asks for the new UK Government is achieving faster diagnosis for young people like Clayton.
GP appointments and A&E visit
After several GP appointments and courses of antibiotics I was still really feeling unwell in myself and my throat was in agony. I explained how I could no longer swallow, I hadn’t eaten or drank, I felt really unwell and after all that I was offered exactly the same treatment as before, a course of antibiotics (tablet form), throat spray and numbing mouthwash.
The next morning, my mum took me to A&E as she could see just how poorly I was. After a few hours I was seen to and had my bloods taken and then I was asked to sit in a chair in the corridor.
After a few hours I was offered a strong painkiller to ease the pain. Shortly after that, I managed to eat and drink a tiny amount. It was so nice to finally eat something.
I was finally offered a bed on a ward after about 20 hours. Again, at this point I had no inkling as to what was going on, just that they may need to do more blood tests. I managed to get a couple of hours sleep after having more pain relief.
I had no support for receiving bad news
The next morning, I was woken up to being told I was being sent home. Due to the pain relief working effectively I thought things were on the up. I went home and got straight back into bed and managed to get some sleep.
A few hours later, my mam woke me up saying the hospital had rung and asked me to go back in. I replied saying “it’s probably for the extra blood tests they wanted to do”. So we both thought nothing of it and she dropped me down to the hospital.
After being taken to a room and left for half hour or so, a consultant came in and told me I had been diagnosed with AML (acute myeloid leukaemia). Not once was it suggested I have support with me for receiving any bad news, nor did I have any sort of idea that I was receiving that sort of news.
Due to my diagnosis being during Covid, at first they told me nobody was allowed onto the ward to visit me, so I had to tell my parents and family over a phone call. After a few too many conversations, they finally allowed my mum on to the ward to be my support. But a little too late by this time.
I was very disappointed by the length of time it took for me to be diagnosed and the amount of GP doctors who almost palmed me off during my appointments. I was very disappointed with the lack of support I was offered at my first diagnosis.
I’ve always been quite stubborn when ill and tend to carry on with life and not book a doctor’s appointment. After a week or so I become really ill and had to take time off work. I tried getting an appointment with my local GP but it’s always so hard as they’re normally all gone 10 minutes after the lines open. Two days later I attempted again to get another GP appointment as I wasn’t getting better and this time I succeeded. The doctor gave me a course of antibiotics and I thought that would solve it.
Being the stubborn person I am, I went back to work and struggled on. A couple of days later, I decided to book another GP appointment, where yet again I was given a course of antibiotics.
I’m glad I pushed myself to go to A&E otherwise God knows how long it would’ve continued for. I wish there was more awareness on signs to look out for and for bloods to be taken on an early basis. I hope this gives people the awareness to look for signs and push for further diagnosis when possible.