McGrath Foundation nurses

Patti J

Has anyone had any luck contacting and talking to a McGrath Foundation nurse specializing in metastatic breast cancer? Apparently there are only 6 dedicated mets nurses in Australia and 119 for breast cancer. 
I did contact one, after being given her phone number by the telephone contact at the McGrath Foundation. She virtually fobbed me off and told me I should contact the McGrath foundation nurses at my local public hospital. I wasn't  impressed. She then apologised and asked me to contact her. Jane McGrath would have been horrified!

iserbrown

@Patti J 

Oh goodness that is a bit disappointing for you
Does your Surgeon have their own Breast care nurse?  Mine did
Or as the person you spoke to suggested the hospital that you have been dealing with

Take care  

Patti J

It is disappointing. I don't  have a surgeon nor is there a breast care nurse at the hospital I am dealing with. 
At the time I  needed to  talk to someone. Now, I  just think that I am strong enough not to need them. My oncologist thinks I am too independent. 

Riki_BCNA

Hi@Patti J I am sorry to hear about your experience and hope that you are able to contact the BCN at the McGrath foundation to pursue support. I also wanted to mention our free telephone support service for women affected by metastatic breast cancer. Please see the link below 

https://www.bcna.org.au/metastatic-breast-cancer/metastatic-breast-cancer-telephone-counselling/
Please do not hesitate to contact BCNA on 1800 500 258 to speak to a cancer nurse to assist you with local support services.

wendy55

Hi there @Patti J, so sorry to hear of your experience with the McGrath nurse, as you have mentioned there are only 6 metastatic breast care nurses and I would imagine that they are spread very thinly across the country, as I live in rural SA I have the services of a wonderful McGrath nurse, she is not trained specifically in Metastatic but has a amazing skill set across many areas, oncology and palliative care, so even though she doesnt have to she has taken both myself and a couple of other ladies under her wing, she too has a large area to look after but this does not stop her from ringing me without fail every week, attending the local breast cancer support meetings, and arranging to catch up with me when she can for a cuppa, I have her work number and her home mobile and I consider myself very lucky to not only call her my McGrath nurse but my friend, she has been there when I needed her most, and I know that both my partner and I have her unwavering support,however we are all not so lucky, and yes like you I am also independent, however there are times when we just need to speak to someone who understands, I have utilized both the BCNA counselling service and also the cancer council telephone support service, the BCNA has a specific counsellor who just specializes in Metastaic Breast Cancer, and I can say from expereince she is a very caring and compassionate lady - so - we all think we are strong and YES we are, but sometimes we just need a helping hand, so please dont let this expereince put you off.

wendy55 

Patti J

Thanks Wendy55. I think my experience of breast care nurses and the hospital social worker have put me off talking to anyone other than my GP and oncologist.