"Fantastic Service"

This morning I had both A Gastroscopy And A Colonoscopy. I was very nervous before hand never having had either before. Yesterday I had A boiled egg on white toast for breakfast. I drank tea with milk during the morning. I had my last meal of grilled chicken with fresh white pasta and cheese at lunchtime and a cup of tea. The thought of not eating for 24 hours and the bowel evacuation medication felt very daunting and stressful. However It turned out not as bad as I had imagined.

At 1 p.m I took 10 Senna Tablets ( which tasted earthy, but not too unpleasant) I dissolved the 1st Citramag in a pint of warm water and drank slowly over 40 minutes, which tasted lemony and was quite nice. During the afternoon I drank at least a pint and a half of blackcurrant cordial and chicken consomme soup (Jewish powdered clear soup from a local supermarket) which was easy to prepare and felt like eating a meal. I didn't need to go to the toilet as much as I thought I would. At 5.30 I prepared and took the 2nd Citramag As before. Then had some more consomme soup And blackcurrant cordial. I went to the toilet frequently over a short period then things settled down. I had a cup of tea with a little milk before I went to sleep. I slept well and didn't have to get up once. Just before 7a.m. I had a warm blackcurrant drink & showered. I felt like I'd prepared myself as much as I could.

Once I arrived at U.C.H.L. Hospital I was seen very quickly and all the staff made me feel very relaxed. I had someone with me which I would recommend. I felt very much in the safe hands of professionals. your blood pressure pulse and weight are checked. You are asked to change into a gown and modesty pants and I could keep my trainers and socks on. You are given a bag to put your clothes In. You wait a while then the procedure is explained to you and you are asked to sign a consent form. You are taken to the procedure room & given something to make you a bit sleepy. The procedure didn't hurt and was over quicker than I thought. The staff were very attentive and I was asked how I was. You are then taken To the recovery room and blood pressure and pulse checked and I had two cups of tea. Then discharged.

I've never enjoyed a baked potato so much as I did in the hospital cafe afterwards. I would like to thank the List Consultant Dr G. Webster, Endoscopist No 1: Dr Sam Murray, Nurses Alec Boreham, Andrew Drilon & Maribeth Aurelio. I was given a copy of both procedure reports and my consent form. A Fantastic Service. Thank You All.

My only suggestions is it would have been good to know about this website before the procedure.