"Professional and caring support for breast cancer"

My GP surgery sent an urgent referral to the NHS North Devon Hospital, and within a fortnight was offered three tests to be completed on the day. This followed a visit to see the consultant and the breast cancer team.

I was amazed at the speed and efficiency of the time scale which allowed my operation to go ahead; firstly I was given late-August 2020, but then life events overtook itself! About a week after my visit to see the consultant, I was rushed to A&E with extreme sharp pains on the right side of my stomach, but staff could find no reasonable explanation for this, so I was sent home.

Three days later, upon a referral from a paramedic at the GP surgery, I entered A&E once again. This time I was admitted to the assessment ward. After several tests that week, it was discovered that I required a gallbladder removal. After such a worrying time, a final date was set for my mastectomy at the end of September 2020.

After the gallbladder removal in August, it was explained to me that part of the gallbladder was attached to the bowel, and some stones were released. So, a week later, the stones were removed.

Since the mastectomy operation I have received nothing but professional, and caring support from the Breast Cancer Team, and I really cannot thank them and praise them enough.

I feel confident enough to get on with my life, in the knowledge that if there is a problem I can always telephone the Breast Cancer Team, to discuss a problem or to receive reassurance.