"A mystery illness"

Throughout the months of May, June and July earlier this year, I suffered from a mysterious infection, probably viral. At my GP Practice several young, keen and very committed young GP's tried to find the root of the problem which seemed to be bedeviling me. I had been prescribed a course anti-biotics in the hope that this might serve to eradicate the chest infection: but to no avail! My general well-being seemed to deteriorate as we moved through August, so another of the young GP's at my Practice sent me in to the Acute Monitoring Unit, (AMU), at the Northern General Hospital here in Sheffield. Here, they kept me under observation over 36 hours since there seemed to be conflicting symptoms which made it very difficult for the various Specialists that examined me to arrive at a confirmed diagnosis.

Over the following three or four weeks I was had a Brain Scan, many Blood tests, Chest X-Rays, Scans and Ultra-Sound examinations, ECG and Echo Cardiogram tests and finally a Biopsy, all of which enabled the final diagnosis of Temporal Arteritis to be established.

Throughout this time I was not merely impressed by the care, attention and dedication of the Doctors, Nursing and Auxiliary Staff but I felt massively reassured by their professionalism in keeping me informed of their thoughts, suspicions and finally, conclusions about my condition at every stage. I never felt that at any time that my questions, however naive or basic, were ever treated with anything but complete commitment and support. In gy googling my symptoms, I gave myself some disturbing moments but the care and attention to detail by the Medical Staff helped re-establish my peace of mind gave me total confidence that we would finally get to the bottom of this conundrum and we could all move on to making me better.

When I first went into the AMU at the Northern General, my pulse rate and blood pressure were noticeably higher than usual. As a result of the confidence that the excellent Doctors at the Northern General instilled in me and my indulging in Mindfulness meditation, these blood pressure and pulse rate numbers were significantly reduced.

I can only thank and praise the Medical and Nursing Staff at both the Northern General and Royal Hallamshire Hospitals for the care, dedication and professionalism that they showed. The Auxiliary and Support Workers were cheerful, helpful and committed to my general comfort and well-being and added to my overall sense of trust and satisfaction that we would get to the bottom of my problems. As for the young GP's at the Carterknowle and Dore Practice I must say a hearty "Thank You" for their dedicated commitment to making me better despite the confusing and almost contradictory symptoms that I presented. I am now back on top form and feel a massive debt of gratitude!! 

Our National Health Service, as demonstrated in