"The care I have received has been fantastic"

Through a routine Hbac1 blood test my results came back through the roof!! I was at that stage passed back to the Kirkcaldy Victoria hospital Diabetes centre as my own GO surgery didn’t know how to treat me with the bloods being so high. I was extremely worried having had a diagnosis 8 years prior as type 2 diabetes and been on medication since, then all of a sudden since my last check up things had changed so drastically.

My first appointment at the diabetes centre was a month after my results. I was so anxious and worried. I was assigned my own nurse to look after me -  Shona. Shona explained she would be seeing me regularly and we would work together to get a plan in place and work out what’s best to get my blood sugars back to a normal level - this alone put me at ease knowing I would be speaking to the same nurse who would know my journey and not have to explain to someone different every time.

Unfortunately due to a nasty virus and then follows up by a kidney infection I was poorly for around 6 weeks so switching to insulin from my previous medication didn’t do a lot and my bloods didn’t come down much due to the virus and then being on antibiotics. However Shona reassured me throughout this time and explained how my blood sugars would be while I’m poorly. She  persevered and monitored me closely, adjusting my insulin as and when my body recovered. I dropped to only 7 and a half stone with being poorly and was on a ridiculous amount of insulin but Shona and the team in her absence kept an eye on me and assured me this was temporary until my bloods started to come down.

Within this time I also spoke with other nurses over the phone for advice as my blood sugars were dropping finally and they offered great support over the phone. I have now got my bloods down to a normal level and feeling great!

I want to thank all the staff at the diabetes centre from the lovely guy at reception who is always happy to help in person and over the phone to Shona herself and the team and also the dietician who has made me understand so much about the disease and how my eating habits can help improve & maintain things whilst also giving me advice on putting weight back on despite watching my carbohydrate intake. It really has been such a positive experience and the care I have received has been fantastic and very attentive.