"Empathy, compassion & understanding"

4th gynaecology visit, 3rd hysteroscopy, same excellence in clinical treatment, support, encouragement, respect of dignity & overall care. Service well thought out from entering to departure, recognising it's normal for them yet, the patient's perspective ,(eg daunting, frightening, intimate nature), is well considered in addition to efficiency of procedures and clinics . Everyone understands their roles culminating with them working seamlessly & effortlessly together as a cohesive team. Moreover, you are given the gift of being treated as an integral part of that team hence, part of the procedure rather than purely a recipient of a medical intervention.

I've berated myself for not recalling names considering the difference to me the simple act of introducing staff by forenames, ( If both offered and staff comfortable with use, others could have option of using titles if preferred),  engendering a friendlier, less intimidating atmosphere & more at ease in their presence. I thank staff for jotting names this time, (not asked to do so), as saves angst of trying to remember! Please can you do every time? After saying how this influences visit, I'm having to admit error of laying my wet coat on info given in car on the way home rendering it all useless. Yet again, I cannot thank personally those integral to my positive experience, but if you were working alongside consultant Alex during my visit, I thank you all profusely.

In pre-procedure consultation/review with Alex, I'm very appreciative of her professional yet personable nature. I feel pressure to be the perfect patient & should have the knowledge/skills to cope, sail through appointments whilst having the least impact on staff and clinic efficiency as possible. With the added worry of an unrelated medical problem compromising my ability to adopt a conventional gynae chair position, trying not to react to or move too often to cope with my normal pain & not compromising the team's ability to undertake their work efficiently and safely (for them and I). I thank her immensely for endeavouring to put me at ease, (not easy to do with someone living in my head!), with assurance that they're led by patients' needs so shouldn't feel guilt at asking to stop or needing extra pain relief.

Also felt comfortable enough to admit not being able to feel coil threads or come even close to my cervix despite a nursing background. Not sure I would have imparted this info to others, opting instead to say that despite knowing coil was in perfect position at 6 month hysteroscopy, because of exacerbation of symptoms especially last 2 weeks it would be pertinent to mention I didn't know if there was a chance it expelled unnoticed. Not sure if trying to placate me by saying not alone at inability to check threads, but appreciate effort at trying to reduce shame.

What with anxieties concerning diagnosis, how you'll be in regards to pain experienced ,(especially if first visit), embarrassment not highest in priorities but important to address. With neither sitting nor lying good positions for me, the Gynaecological chair already evokes vulnerability/ loss of control. Speaking as someone who's embarrassed at inability to lie correctly/stay still in Dentist's chair, think how this is elevated when half naked, legs in the air & they say open as wide as you can at the opposite end!!

As much as I'd like it to, nursing hasn't given immunity to embarrassment, (anxiety & fear), at appointments. I'd never disclose it at the time (although I suspect it's written all other my face; where's the covid masks ,when you'd want one?!), as them knowing I'm embarrassed would strangely make me more so. Phrases such as please don't be embarrassed, we've seen & heard it all before - yes, but I haven't shown you mine! - or there's no need to be embarrassed really irk me. They serve to make you feel ashamed/guilty/abnormal for feeling that way. This is why, on all my visits, I appreciate hearing no such words, that without knowing my embarrassment, they do everything in their power to protect modesty/dignity. Harder in my case as cannot tolerate anything touching left leg so one side exposed but gown and additional sheet used to cover pelvis & right side to optimum achievable.

Grateful for heat pad, a comfort during procedural cramps but also served to pin gown to pelvis as additional modesty provider. I know it was for the sake of Alex having a better screen view at a salient point, but also liked lights being either dimmed/turned off. Appreciated where staff stood at all visits whichever sized/arranged rooms used as, apart from consultant in the hot seat, others not directly at end of bed as to make you feel an exhibit. Incidentally, I found consultant gender played no bearing on embarrassment level. Alex, Ryan & Mr Bishieri have afforded me nothing but dignity & respect throughout & I felt comfortable in their presence. My tip for others experiencing embarrassment is to acknowledge, own & accept it, serving to diminish its power and influence.

I don't sit easy being a patient but the team gave me permission to be one. I was made to realise there's no set script to follow. Your afforded continuous support, encouragement and information and they check-in frequently on comfort & need for adjustments or additional analgesia. The smallest scopes and least equipment (eg dilators, with/without speculum), needed in circumstances are utilised for maximum comfort/ minimal intervention.

Thanks to you all, I hope I'm never going to know if my condition would have progressed to something more sinister. With exacerbation of symptoms, (hopefully cause/effect of mirena holidaying in cervix only), I await biopsy results, but hopefully will not be clapping eyes on you again!! (Would have no qualms if had to/ reassure others).

There's no sufficient words to convey the difference you all made. It's easy to provide text book care, but it's the people skills, that innate sense of empathy, compassion & understanding of walking alongside your unique experience that elevate standards beyond measure.

Be proud. Exemplary. Thank You.