"I cannot find the words to thank them enough"

In late Aug 2013 I was referred by my GP to Braintree Community Hospital for a Colonoscopy. The Doctor found a tumour and told me to prepare for bad news as he felt it was cancer but he needed the biopsy results to confirm this. As promised, within 7 days he confirmed the results which were obviously a great shock. I had indeed Bowel Cancer. Sadly I did not retain the Doctor’s name. I was most grateful for his direct explanation of the expected diagnosis. Thus not leaving me what would have been a very anxious 7 days. The doctor I know was resident at Broomfield.

In early Sept I had two scans and an appointment was made for me to meet the Surgeon Mr Pearson in mid Sept. Prior to this I had an appointment to meet the Stoma Team Michelle, Nikki, Kerry and Melanie. Little did I realise what a wonderfully kind and supportive team they would become both before my operation, whilst in Hospital and even at home whilst recuperating with phone calls and visits to see how I was progressing. I will never be able to thank them enough.

I met Mr Pearson, no doubt as many others before me, in fear and trepidation of what he was about to tell me. I need not have worried. He made me feel in safe hands from the outset. His patient, kind, thorough and direct approach I will never forget. He shared his thoughts whilst not able to confirm details until after surgery. He thought the operation would be a complete success and if all went well I would not need Chemo. He also confirmed that I would for life need to use a Stoma bag. This upset me greatly but with his firm hand and the support of the Stoma team I soon realised that it wasn’t as I thought and would be able to lead a fully active and normal life. This indeed has turned out to be the case.

I had surgery in late September. I spent 10 days in the Specialist Bowel Cancer Heybridge Ward where I found the staff and the ward of the highest quality. The ward was very busy and the staff never seemed to stop. They were kind and so patient with me I will always remember this with gratitude.

Here I am 9 weeks after major surgery writing my experiences. Mr Pearson was absolutely correct. The operation was a complete success. I did not need Chemo and have just had blood test confirmation that there are no signs of any cancer in my bowel. Am I eternally grateful, what do you think? This started in late Aug, I had an operation in Sept and here I am in November.

What a fantastic NHS we have. Broomfield is such an uplifting facility to visit and the staff, well I am afraid I cannot find the words to thank them enough.