"Very attentive, helpful and friendly"

I recently attended an appointment with a Speech & Language Therapist, (Denis) @ Altnagelvin Hospital. On my arrival I was greeted with a big smile and a strong handshake from the Therapist. 

As I am very unsteady on my feet, I use a walking stick to help with my mobility, it takes me longer to get to where I need to go. The Therapist was very understanding and he explained that the room that we were using for my appointment was at the far end of the corridor and he advised me to take my time as there was no rush!

This put me at ease and he chatted away with me as we made our way to the appointment room, making sure that I was taking my time and not rushing things. 

On our arrival at the room the therapist guided me to a chair and then, when I was comfortably seated, he started to engage with me explaining that my consultant, in Belfast, had made a referral for me to see a S&L Therapist. 

I explained about my cancer diagnosis and how I had went through a lot, given the complications that I had experienced during the surgery to remove a 5cm Tumour from my oesophagus, where it joined my stomach, I had a total, Oesophagectomy.

The appointment lasted for approximately 50 minutes and during this time I felt very relaxed and I was able to discuss my issues with the Therapist who was, at all times, very attentive, helpful and friendly. I was very impressed by the way that I was treated by the therapist, who was truthful and honest about what help he could practically provide me with, which was very important to me. 

As we came to the end of our session, the therapist summarised what we had discussed and what was the way forward for me to cope with the challenges that I experience when I am eating and what I could do to help me cope with my swallowing. Furthermore, Denis advised me that he would be writing to my GP & my Consultant about how I could benefit from having some nutrition drinks such as Ensure Plus milkshakes.

All in all I came away from the appointment feeling that I had been listened to and that my Therapist had given me some very good and positive advice on how I could help improve my health by taking my time to eat what I can manage and to be prescribed the nutritional supplements. 

I had a very good and positive experience with the Therapist and I really appreciate the help, support and advice that he gave me! 

Thank you so much for your time and I know that I can reach out to the relevant health professionals should I require more help/support!