"ENT and Haematology."

I consulted my GP on 28th June regarding a lump in my neck. She sent me for a chest x-ray at Bolton One, ordered blood tests and referred me on the Blue pathway to ENT for further investigation. This is my journey and experience from then to date.

30th June. Appointment at ENT where the Consultant examined the lump, aspirated cells from the lump for pathology and examined my nose and throat with a camera. Note for the squeamish, it's a small camera attached to a tube about the diameter of a straw. The consultant explained how it works and let me see what it looked like before proceeding. I can assure you it didn't hurt one bit and lasted less than a minute.

5th July. Appointment at Radiology for an Ultra Sound Scan. The staff explained everything about the procedure to assure me, made sure I was comfortable on the bed before they began the scan.

17th July. Back to ENT for results which proved to be inconclusive so a biopsy required.

25th July. Day Care Unit. The staff were so supportive and reassuring explaining what was about to happen. The Lymph Node in my neck removed under local aesthetic and sent post haste to pathology. I didn't feel a thing.

2nd August. Back at Radiology for a CT scan. Again, the staff explained everything before I had the scan to reassure me and put me at ease.

3rd August. Back to ENT where the compassionate consultant explained the possibility of low grade Lymphoma. The biopsy had now been sent to pathology in Leeds for further investigation and I'm now referred to Haematology Department for on going care.

13th August. Appointment at Haematology to see the lovely Consultant who confirmed Low grade Lymphoma and explained everything I needed to know about it. I was given a book about Low Grade Lymphoma to take home which helped me take in all information already given, reassuring me all is not so bad after all.

17th August. Visit to the awesome Churchill Unit for a bone biopsy. I wasn't looking forward to this, but again, everything was explained in full and I didn't feel a thing. By the way, the staff there are truly amazing people.

20th August. A visit to the PET scan unit in Wigan to check if any other Lymph Nodes have been invaded.

My next appointment is 4th September to find out where I go from here.

From my experience at Bolton Royal, all the people involved with my investigations have treated me with compassion, dignity and respect, my eternal thanks to you all. Every department has been spotless clean and well organised. And, not forgetting the people who are working in the back ground who we never see, the Pathology Lab technicians who do an amazing job, the appointment booking staff, and many more.

Would I recommend Bolton Royal? If you want the best of care, then yes, I most certainly would.