"Very caring and professional"

I received a letter advising me that I had been recalled after my Mammogram. I was quite shocked and surprised too.

My sister went with me to the follow up appointment. We were seen by the breast Care Nurse, Shelley, who was lovely and explained the situation to us and advised what would be happening that morning.. 

I had to have another mammogram and a scan and a biopsy and another mammogram. 

All the staff were lovely and made me feel less nervous. 

I was told I would get the results in a couple of weeks. 

I returned to the hospital Antrim Area a couple of weeks later and saw the consultant Mr McFall, who advised I had Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS). He explained about this and what they needed to do. I would need to have surgery to remove the cells and tissue which would go to Pathology and I would need some radiotherapy as well to ensure it doesn’t return. 

This was a lot to take in. He advised the operation would be within the next 5/6 weeks. 

I met with Shelley, the Breast Care Nurse, after this and she went over things with me again in more detail and gave me leaflets and information on what was going to happen with the operation etc.

I found all of the staff to be very caring and professional . 

I received a letter to go for a pre operation assessment. My sister went with me to this assessment and once again all the staff were excellent. I spoke to the Anaesthetist Dr Armstrong  first as she wanted to speak to me about my previous operation in the Royal Victoria Hospital last year  as I had a respiratory incident going under anaesthetic. She has requested that I have a heart scan before I have my  operation. Nurse Amy did my blood pressure and bloods and weight and height and an ECG. She was very professional and caring too. 

I saw Nurse Teresa after this and she went over my medical history with me and what medication I was on and gave  me details about the day of the operation and what to expect. She gave me leaflets and info to take home with me. 

Teresa is a wonderful Nurse and she made me feel  very at ease and explained things clearly as I was very nervous and had not slept well the night before. 

Thank you again to all the great staff I have seen so far in Antrim Area Hospital Breast Care Department and the Pre Operation Department.