"My surgery experience"

A month ago I had surgery for a peripheral nerve sheath tumour. There were many good things about the experience and about the follow up.

- the surgeon did a wonderful job of excising the tumour without causing nerve damage.

- the staff in the admissions ward were friendly and helpful and gave information as it was available

- there was a member of staff down in the next place where I was taken who gave me a warm blanket and was really lovely - kind and chatty (which helped distract from the situation)

- the anesthetists were kind and reassuring

- the ward staff (Harvey 2) were helpful. It must be really demanding there because they were the only recovery ward. The nurse who helped me work out whether I was ok to leave on the day of surgery or stay overnight gets a special mention - she was thoughtful, kind and interested in each person.

- when I left the ward someone walked with me to the hospital main entrance where I was being picked up because I didn't know whether I would get all the way there (I know it was a short distance but I was in pain). She brought a wheelchair in case I needed it and was really lovely and made me feel that it was ok to take her away from the ward for that time

- the specialist physio rang me 10 days after the surgery and gave me time to discuss my questions and work out how to progress in the most helpful way. It was a really useful conversation.

- the follow up appointment with the other specialist physio was also really helpful, giving perspective and helping me understand what was happening and how to make the best of my recovery

There were some things that could be made a little better

- in the initial consultation I was told that I would be off work for 2 weeks and so with my colleagues I prepared for that and therefore felt guilty when I needed a further week off work. It would be helpful to have better pre-surgery information, including to expect full recovery to take many months.

- on the admission ward the windows were open (as would be expected given the benefit of ventilation in reducing the risk of covid) and the heating wasn't on (as seems appropriate in July) but it wasn't warm. Once I had been asked to change into the surgical 'outfit' I was cold. Although staff were going up and down it was difficult to catch someone's eye to ask for a blanket. Would it be possible have a blanket brought with the 'outfit' when people may have to sit for an unknown period of time before going down to surgery?

- when I woke from the anesthetic I was in pain and confused. A staff member kept telling me that I should stop panicking and had to breathe normally which was not helpful given my distress at the time

I do understand that staff are weary (I work in the NHS too) and offer these thoughts for reflection rather than trying to be negative. I saw on the ward the effect of kindness and listening to the distress of patients struggling with the anesthetic effects or with anxiety and know that the manner in which people impart information is of as much significance as the information.

I feel very privileged to have had this surgery and am grateful.