"Bowel Cancer"

After routine smear test by post, potential problem found.

Within 2 1/2 weeks I had had a meeting with a Colonoscopy nurse who explained what was going to be done with clarity and sensitivity and had the Colonoscopy.

Result was that a large tumour was found which needed to be removed by surgery, but before proceeding I was body scanned to check if there were other potential problems.

Just over a week later, on a Monday morning, I met the Consultant Surgeon who explained that it could be quite a problem due to the tumour's location and my age (78), that the operation might take about 4 hours and that it might not be able to be done by keyhole surgery. He further offered to do it on the Friday (just 4 days later) even though it was his day off! !

I was duly admitted to The William Harvey Hospital, Ashford on the Friday, the operation started around 12. 30pm and finished just after 6. 30pm! That wonderful surgeon then rang my family to tell them that it had been successful and completed by keyhole surgery.

After a night in the post operative high dependancy ward, I spent 3 further nights in the general ward. I have nothing but praise for the dedication and quality of care given during this period by the nursing staff, support staff and consultants. I was discharged on the Tuesday, but had to return for a check up on the Wednesday.

I was suffering a great deal of discomfort and had arrived too early for my appointment, but was soon helped by the Post Surgical Assessment Unit sister, who screened off a bed for me to lie on, kept a close eye on me and gave some very helpful tips to aid recovery.

It is highly inadequate for me to say that I received good service and treatment from the NHS.... it was fantastic and there was not one weak link in the team from the first test to final discharge. Result, within 2 weeks I was walking 3 miles a day and within 6 weeks, driving, golfing and feeling on top of the world.

NHS 10 out 10.