Mike Stewart Medical Fund

Where do I start to explain this amazing friend, Husband, Father and fellow musician. Mike is an amazing person and has had more than his fair share of medical problems the latest was getting a prostate biopsy asap which has not gone to plan as it should have due to unprofessional Medical Assistance or lack thereof. Mike was forced to seek Private Medical assistance. Anyone who has had a prostate biopsy can and will attest that is not a very pleasant experience. The funds raised here will help Mike and his family  stop worrying about the financial side and will let him rest and heal with an amazing wife Sue to aide in his healing process together with their Son Matt. To be able to continue on this route the funds  kindly donated would be a Godsend to this awesome man and his family in the Knowledge that they will not have to worry Financially, the funds are needed urgently to pay for the biopsy he has already had see his story. On behalf of Mike, Sue and his Family they thank you all from the bottom of their hearts and I know that they truly appreciate any help and assistance afforded them.

MIKES STORY:

At the beginning of the year I had an MRI scan which showed I had two lesions in my prostate gland, and that I'd have to undergo a biopsy to see whether or not they were cancerous.

I had the biopsy a month later at Peterborough City Hospital. They were efficient, friendly and caring, and although it was traumatic, with their help I got through it. Two weeks later I received the news that the lesions were benign, and not cancerous.

However I barely had time to celebrate before the hospital contacted me again to say they'd made a mistake.

They said that although they'd found no cancer they hadn't been able to take enough samples from the larger of the two lesions because of its position, and I'd have to have another, more complicated biopsy.

They also told me that because of its size the lesion is medically classified as 'probably malignant' – hence their dissatisfaction with the result of the first biopsy.

They informed me that they didn't have the necessary equipment to perform the second procedure, a Targeted Trans-Perineal Biopsy which is performed under general anesthetic, and I'd have to be referred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where they did have the resources.

Anyone who has had a prostate biopsy will attest to the fact that it's not a pleasant experience.

I was still bleeding (I bled for nearly a month) after the first one, and the risk of infection is high, so I was pretty distressed to know I'd have to go through it all again.

They told me that I'd have to wait for four months to allow the bruising and bleeding in the prostate to heal before they could take the 30 – 40 biopsy samples they needed.

So I waited, all the while becoming more and more concerned that if I had cancer, the delay in diagnosing and treating it could be putting my life at significant risk.

Eventually in June the day arrived, and in the morning my wife and I drove to Addenbrooke's.

Remembering that at the time of the first biopsy the first thing they asked for was a urine sample I was careful not to go to the loo before I got there, so I started to become fairly uncomfortable shortly after arrival - but I was concerned that if I went while waiting to be called through, I wouldn't be able to supply the necessary sample on demand.

But after an hour and a half they still had not called my name, and by now I was 'busting'.

My wife went to the desk and told them of my dilemma, so they gave her a sample bottle and I was able to relieve myself.

I went back to my seat (still holding the sample) and waited - and waited - and waited.

After three and a half hours my nerves were becoming increasingly frayed from anxiety – yet I hadn't had any other contact with anybody.  It was as if they'd forgotten I was even there.

However a short while later I was called through and sat with a nurse who asked me questions, filled in forms – and again sent me back to the waiting room.

Another 45 minutes went by and I was called again, this time to another office to talk to the consultant, but I was now really on edge from the anxiety of sitting for so long and having little or no contact with the people I was entrusting with my safety.

I informed him that I was in a really bad state of nerves because of the delay, but instead of offering me any form of medication to calm me down - or even reassuring words - he instead became belligerent and aggressive, implying that I had no right to feel aggrieved, that I must just wait my turn, and be grateful.

He then said that if I was too worked up about the procedure then he wasn't 'comfortable' performing it.

At that point I couldn't take any more.

At my most vulnerable I felt I'd been made to feel totally insignificant and dehumanised, and no more important to him (and the hospital) than a piece of meat on a butcher's counter.

In a state of complete meltdown I refused the biopsy and left the hospital.


I knew I'd shot myself in the foot by leaving, but I just couldn't take any more.  

I understand the pressure the NHS is under because of increased demand and reduced funding, but to treat patients at their most vulnerable with zero compassion is unacceptable to all of us.

The next day I went to see my GP and told her what had happened, and she said I now had two options – go back to Addenbrooke's again and probably be subjected to the same treatment, or contact a private medical establishment, and pay for the procedure.

I knew in myself that if I went back and received the same inhuman treatment as before I'd probably react the same – and walk out again.  On top of that I now had no confidence in Addenbrooke's (despite their admittedly glowing reputation).

So I felt that given how important the biopsy was, and It was now seven months since the lesions had been found, I'd have to 'bite the bullet' and somehow pay for the procedure myself.

This I did at the Nuffield Hospital in Cambridge.  

The staff, consultant and anesthetist were all professional and caring, and I had the biopsy a week later without incident.

I haven't yet received the results - but now I have to pay the costs and stress about that too........

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP!! A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.