"To have a HCP sit and listen to me and understand"

I had an appointment today for a pre assessment re: a diagnostic procedure that I’ve been waiting a long time for . 

In the last eighteen months my mental health has plummeted, physical health hasn’t been great and I basically stopped looking after myself . Ate too much and stopped going out altogether as I was too scared to do so . Gained a ton of weight very quickly , became unfit and then even more so didn’t want to go out ...

I was terrified to go to the pre assessment clinic  as I knew I’d have to travel from home - so go out basically - it seemed safer not to go and I cancelled twice . Realising health isn’t improving and I need the op doing, I forced myself to go today .

I haven’t met nicer nurses, as a patient, the ladies I met were absolute angels . Gail is the one I remember the name of but the HCSW was also brilliant . Both were very caring but Gail in particular spoke to me so kindly and with respect that I haven’t always been given. She didn’t speak with judgement or annoyance. She was able to point out small steps I could take to start looking after myself and to make the anaesthetic a little bit easier to cope with . 

A lot of this I did know already but what an enormous relief to have a HCP sit and listen to me and understand , and help me to feel empowered in getting a little bit better . I couldn’t be more thankful !