Warwickshire, UK – 17th April: A mother doesn't know how long she has left to live after multiple misdiagnoses by doctors actually turned out to be lung cancer .
But while the NHS apologizes to Linda Lindley over delays in her treatment, it has also apologized for a delay in sending her a written apology.
Ms Lindley, 52, has won a medical negligence claim after her torment began a decade ago.
“I am angry and bitter but I can forgive," she said. "I am not a horrid person. I have to stay strong, I have children.”
Professor Meghana Pandit, chief medical officer and deputy chief executive officer at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, said: “We apologise unreservedly for the delay in diagnosing Mrs Lindley’s condition.
“While a verbal apology was given to Mrs Lindley, I am also very sorry for the delay in sending our written apology. This matter has been a serious incident for the Trust and we have reviewed and changed practice to ensure that, in so far as possible, this does not happen again. I fully understand that this may be of little consolation to Mrs Lindley and her family, who have had to shoulder the full brunt of this tragic error. Nevertheless, I hope this will offer her some small comfort.”
The pain started ten years ago for Ms Lindley when she first experienced breathlessness. She was sent backwards and forwards to her GP and was prescribed an inhaler back in 2007. Later that year should have been the moment doctors saw the signs of lung cancer - but the signs were ignored. She slipped a disc in her neck and had an MRI scan at University Hospital Coventry.
Although the scan showed the visible signs of lung cancer, it wasn't reported and Linda didn’t receive a diagnosis. Had she received treatment for lung cancer at this time, Ms Lindley would not have required invasive surgery or chemotherapy and could now be cured.
Two years later, in 2009, still suffering with breathlessness, Ms Lindley was diagnosed with bronchitis and in 2011 she was referred to a respiratory doctor. Yet despite a second scan, her lung cancer was still not diagnosed.
Ms Lindley was still suffering with ongoing symptoms and was referred to a respiratory doctor at UHCW.
Despite another scan, her cancer was still not diagnosed and she was told the cancerous nodule in her lung was consistent with fat. She decided to take her own action.
She said: “Due to being told I had fat on my lung, I joined the gym. But I struggled with my breathing on the exercise bike and treadmill.” In 2012, she went on holiday but had to have help to climb the stairs.
She was referred to a joint respiratory and rheumatology clinic who ordered another scan as they thought she might have a pulmonary embolism, the Coventry Telegraph reports. Following the scan result, in January 2013, an urgent referral was made to the Lung Multidisciplinary Team due to the presence of a suspicious nodule.
She had a third of her right lung removed and 11 lymph nodes from her chest wall. She began a course of chemotherapy. But this soon ended due to damage to her kidneys. Ms Lindley did her own research and went to see a private doctor who told her about Iressa - a targeted therapy drug to keep the cancer under control and to stop it recurring.
Ms Lindley enquired with the NHS and was originally denied the drug as it was used only for cases with multiple tumours. However, a further scan indicated she had some suspicious nodules in her lung so the NHS prescribed the drug.
Linda said: “I’ve been told that the tablet I’m on will eventually stop working. I know people who were on it the same time as me and it has stopped working for them already.”
Due to the progression of the cancer, Linda has had to take early medical retirement. She can also no longer look after her 77-year-old mother who is blind.
“I’d like to see my daughter graduate, both of them married and see my grandchildren. Whether that will happen in my lifetime, probably not, but I have to stay positive. I have accepted it has shortened my life.”
Ms Lindley won a medical negligence claim with Lime solicitors and plans to use her payout to adapt her home and help pay for her ongoing care. She managed to get me more than the trust first offered. Her solicitor Neil Clayton said: “Linda’s story is a tragic case; a terrible mistake made not once but twice, which has had a catastrophic effect on Linda and her family."
Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-whose-cancer-repeatedly-misdiagnosed-10240944