To say or not to say??

Hello 🙂

I just realised I have not written a blog post in 2014 yet- so happy 2014 although a little late hehe. I’m sorry I have not posted but things at Uni have been pretty much the same. I am a true believer with my blog to write when I feel I have something to say and so the time has come for me to start writing again. In all honesty as I write this I have realised how much I have missed doing so, hopefully a couple of more blogs in the pipeline 🙂

So what’s been happening with me? Uni has been pretty much the same with lectures and work to be completed, it was really nice after Christmas to get back in the swing of things again. I celebrated my 20th Birthday in January and had an amazing birthday weekend. I went clubbing with my Uni friends and also had a visit from the family which endured lots of lovely cake and tapas at a Spanish restaurant. I was also lucky to receive some lovely presents, cards and many birthday wishes- thanks guys 😀

I have now started my second placement block at a different hospital and completed my first week- wooo 🙂 This time last week I was not enthusiastic about going in and would have been quite happy not to turn up on the Monday morning.  This really surprised me as I really enjoy placement and the patient care is the aspect I really love about the course. I still felt nervous on the Monday morning but as I put on the uniform everything just clicked- I felt fantastic and ready to face whatever the day would bring! I received my rota for the 5 weeks and I was a bit displeased when I saw I had CT the first week. If you have read my previous blog about placement you would be aware I struggled with CT at first and it took me time to adjust. I wasn’t looking forward to CT but decided to go in with a positive attitude and that it may be different this time. It again took me a couple of days to adjust not only to CT but being back on placement but I had a fantastic week 🙂 I managed to sign off a few things in my competency framework which has made me feel positive, alongside a really good weekly comment. So I am really pleased my second placement block has started off so positively. There is a little more pressure this placement as I have to undergo an assessment but I have 4 weeks left and will cross that bridge when I get to it 🙂

Anyway back to the title of my blog 😛 More and more people now on my course know I’ve had cancer and received radiotherapy. I’ve recently been given a group activity which is 80% of one of my units where we have to talk about health care professionals and the patient pathway.Our group was given the pre-assigned 4-year-old girl with leukaemia. To help our group it was obvious to talk to them about it so they could have some understanding about the impact not only on me but also my family.

I recently had a conversation with a lovely lady on my course about would I tell the staff or patients on placement that I’ve received radiotherapy. This for me is a really tricky situation and it’s the case of do I say or do I not? I don’t have a problem in talking to people that I’ve been ill- trust me I could happily sit and talk about it for many hours. However it’s the fact of is it appropriate for patients to know? Is it appropriate for staff to know? Would they treat me differently? For me it’s a really tough thing, I suppose if it comes up in a conversation and I feel comfortable then I would say. However, I don’t want people to treat me differently or think it’s the only reason I wanted to become a Radiographer.

I want to become a Radiographer because I truly want to make a difference to the patients so they have a positive experience. I want them to look back on their treatment not with fear or anger but appreciation like I do for all those that helped me along the way.

Love S

xxx