"My experience as a patient in Victoria Ward RBH..."

As an Consultant in the Ophthalmology Department at CMC Vellore, India, it was my unique experience to be a nephro patient in Victoria Ward, RBH, Reading, in November 2016.

Earlier my GP took some time to diagnose my condition since the symptoms of loose stools and headacke was quite misleading.

But when the swelling of my scrotum was notice, a kidney failure was suspected and I was admitted, first to medical emergency, then to Nephro emergency, where dialysis was performed continously throughout the night. I felt better and was admitted to the Victoria Ward the next day.

I told the staff who I was and i took my time to know the names of all the staff working in the ward. I called them by their names, and they really appreciate my friendliness.

To begin with everything was free, the clean daily cloths, the food, the clean sheets et cetera.

From the corner of my eyes, I observed, the sterile procedure the staff practised. They were meticulously doing them correctly.

My consent was taken to perform the kidney biopsy, and it was done painlessly by using local snaesthetics.

The diagnosis took some days as it had to be made with the electron microscope. Much to my relieve it was a minimal change disease of the kidneys.

At first I was oliguric but later I was freely passing a large amount of urine.

My identity wrist band was removed to give me respect dignity and privacy.

The renal haemodialysis performed on me at first daily and then tapered off. Within a month I was discharged.

As an outpatiend I was first taken to the hospital and brought home by an ambulance freely. Later I used my senior citizen free bus pass. From about three times a week to once weekly, i was given haemodialysis.

The cannular in my neck was removed and changed to the right side of the chest under local anaesthesia under the guidance of X ray and ultrasound.

Then weekly my cannular wounds were dressed to prevent infection till they were completely healed.

Finally when all my visites to the ward was over I discovered the RBH chapel and knelt down and gave thanks to the Almighty who was silently standing beside my bed day and night.; The staff treated me but the Almiighty healed me.

Now I am called monthly to the Nephro Consultation for review and monitor my medicines,to check my blood and urine samples so that I will be completely healed and made sure that there will be no relapse.

I am really proud of you RBH, may you continue to serve. ( Even though the news of fund cuts are sounding and unacceptable medical practice elsewheren are published in the newspapers) Perhaps if any con was to mention, it was the cost of TV as commented lately in the news, but there might be a reason for it to be so (edit / delete)

Three Cheers RBH, Reading.

Yours patiently,

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XXXX Gold