"Hospital care and endometriosis diagnosis"

I was in and out of hospital for all of December and felt very disregarded to be honest. I was constantly told and have been for my teen years that my issues and severe pain was just constipation, when I knew myself it wasn’t. I had irregular cycles, been told I had ovarian cysts at a young age before I was even having periods and having excruciating pain leading to vomiting fainting, etc. 

I don’t want to focus on the medical dismissal I did experience for years as I know many women (and I’m sure men to) have left reviews regarding this. While yes I know this did happen to me and it shouldn’t be done, I don’t fully blame the staff, I have had some great nurses, doctors, radiologists and other health care professionals over the years who have tried to help but it’s not their fault that they can’t always help, I understand the system is under such strain and impacts their work. 

So while I do believe that medically I was neglected for years as many others, I just want to focus on the staff who helped me recently from home to A&E and to discharge. As many of them deserve praise for the work they provided. 

I apologise for the absence of some names. 

First of all paramedic Robert came to my house at family's request when he was not working, something he didn't have to do but did which I cannot thank him enough for. Robert was friendly, compassionate and attentive. While I can’t recall much of what happened at this period my family have not stopped remarking on how amazing Robert was both providing medical help and reassurance to my family. Robert provided pain relief, support for myself and my family and made the right medical call to transfer me to hospital.

I would appreciate greatly if Robert could get recognition for the help he provided. I understand Robert is used to more severe call outs and the fact that he came to help me who had an acute problem is so reflective of his character and his desire to help others. I couldn’t have asked for better support in that situation and a kinder, more attentive, caring supportive paramedic and person than Robert to be there in that situation. Please recognise him for his work as it is invaluable to myself and my family. He went above and beyond attending me when he wasn’t even working. 

The staff in the hospital were mostly amazing and I can’t fault them. 

When I first went in I was in A&E minors and could not stop vomiting, at this point there was a nurse who completely ignored this and when my father requested help, they ignored him. However I understand the pressure the nurse must face. Another member of staff moved me around to another part of A&E.

At this point I felt hopeless as the pain was so severe and I was so embarrassed vomiting in front of everyone, but so quickly a doctor, Ali, asked if we had been seen. When my dad said we hadn’t he was so quick to help. He moved me around to another area and attended me, asking me what had happened and topping up my morphine and making quick adequate calls for the gynaecology team to attend me. I am so thankful for how quickly the doctor responded when I’m sure he was so stretched, he helped me so much and was really understanding.

Gynaecology reviewed me and said I need an internal exam. Doctor Ali recognised that I was extremely nervous and took the time to ask me about it and really listened to me. I am so thankful for his attention to me when he was under immense pressure, he provided so much compassion and physical help. I would love for him to be recognised. 

I had a female gynaecologist attempt my internal exam. I’m disappointed I cannot remember her name as she was outstanding. This was the doctor that decided on my surgery, I would appreciate if you could find her name and give her recognition as she was fantastic. I was in excruciating pain and she decided not to do the internal exam as I couldn’t stop shaking and being sick and that we would go to theatre.

I voiced my concern that what if we went to theatre and nothing was found and that could have been concluded by the scan. She reassured me that this was her call and made me feel understood, letting me know this pain was abnormal. I am so frustrated that I can’t remember her name, if there is any way you can find it and give her recognition please do. She was absolutely phenomenal.

So was the other surgeon I had, Colin, he was amazing and so compassionate, please also recognise him, I’m running out of words or I’d love to give him similar compliments from his bedside manner to clinical skills, everything was amazing and I’m so thankful.

I would also love for the nurses on C1 to be recognised, they were all phenomenal especially Parajitha and Julia, I’m so thankful and grateful for them and would love to go into detail of their empathetic and brilliant care however I’m running out of words! But please pass on my gratefulness for there outstanding care. Any service users who experience their attentive care are so fortunate. 

Thank you to all the staff at Antrim area who went above and beyond for me the care will not be forgotten.