"It was the staff who were the real stars"

I recently had a colonoscopy at the mobile endoscopy unit at Gartnavel. Although I have had this procedure numerous times, I am always anxious about it, particularly after enduring the preparation in the days before!

Normally I have sedation but this time I was offered Entonox, gas and air, as an alternative. I took that and what a difference, I felt more in control, it managed the discomfort and pain very well, and there were none of the after effects of sedation.

But, as always, it was the staff who were the real stars. From the first phone call offering me an appointment; to the phone pre assessment; to the receptionist when I arrived; to Paula, the nurse who double checked all my details and made sure I understood what would happen; to Michelle, the nurse who came to collect me and assured me she would be with me all the time; to the colorectal nurse specialist (Tricia) and the other nurse in the treatment room; to the nurse who welcomed me back after the colonoscopy, explained the report, and brought me the best cup of tea and sandwich; they could not have been better (and I’m really sorry I don’t remember the names of everyone.)

Not only were they all excellent at explaining what would happen, they were all, without exception, welcoming and reassuring and made me feel that nothing would be too much bother.

While I couldn’t honestly say that the colonoscopy was a pleasure (!), Tricia’s skill and constant explanations of what she was doing, alongside Michelle’s reassurance that I was doing really well, made it as comfortable as it could possibly have been. Tricia explained everything to me, both while she was carrying out the colonoscopy and removing a couple of polyps and after the procedure was over, and I know that in due course both I and my GP will hear from her when she gets the results from the labs.

Thank you to everyone involved, you made what could have been a horrible experience as good as possible.