"I am so grateful for the care I received"

My doctor referred me for endoscopy due to strange feelings within my bowel and as my mother had bowel cancer I thought it a good idea. I was able to select which hospital I preferred from four local hospitals and I chose Grantham in Lincolnshire. Back in 1996/7 I had a similar problem with my bowels and was referred to our local Medway hospital for endoscopy.

Well the advancement in this procedure Is amazing. Firstly I received documents telling me all about the procedure how it would be performed also I was offered sedation to help me to relax and the ways to take the bowel preparation which unfortunately is as bad as I remembered it.

Following the procedure for the medication was uneventful just a continuing of emptying the bowel and it makes one very sore.

I arrived at the hospital at the arranged time and was greeted by a nurse looking after me we went through the preliminary checks last time I had eaten or drank anything allergies check and usual checks go dob etc.

Then after getting changed I was taken to theatre where they checked all my important information, they inserted a cannula which they gave the sedation through and then explained what would happen. I was able to see the whole procedure on the monitor and the practitioner carrying out the procedure explained at every step what she could see and what needed to be done. She was so reassuring and thoughtful as were the rest of the team.

When the procedure was finished I was taken back to my room on my bed made comfortable and given biscuits and hot drinks. Approximately 40 minutes later they rang my husband to come and collect me. They gave me detailed photographs of all areas of my bowel and information  sheet re high fibre diet to try to  prevent any reoccurrence of diverticula’s that she had found in the bowel  they also removed a polyp and this has been sent for histology.

So very different to my last experience back in the 90’s I am so grateful for the care I received from all the staff in the department, I hope this will put others who read it at ease about having an invasive procedure like this. Nothing to worry about .