"Consultant Feedback"

This is a huge thank you to the Consultant who oversaw my care at West Cumberland Hospital on many occasions, I suffer with a very rare and debilitating autoimmune illness. For years I was treated with my diagnosis of Melkersson Rosenthal Syndrome in mind, there was no specialist anywhere in the world and so I struggled to find any doctors able and willing to help me.

The Consultant agreed to take charge of my care and I know it greatly upset and frustrated her that she wasn't sure how best to help me, however she kept trying, I have been extremely poorly and have spent time in intensive care numerous times so I am not an easy patient to manage.

She trialled medications when other doctors would not, she referred me to anyone she thought may be able to help in any way, wrote letter upon letter to neurologists and basically any doctor anywhere in the country who could possibly be of assistance.

Through her care and persistence I eventually saw doctors in Guys and St Thomas's Hospital in London and was re-diagnosed as having Orofacial Granulomatosis, there is now finally hope for the future as they are able and willing to try treatments and possibly surgeries too. I have also finally been accepted for surgery to have my Submandibular Glands removed after battling for over two years to get this done. She found a doctor at the RVI in Newcastle to help me come off all opioids and lower other medications including steroids, who in turn referred me to Freemans in Newcastle to have my surgery and treatment for my glands at long last as underlying issues cause severe flare ups.

She went above and beyond to help me and I will forever be grateful for all that she did.

There were also nurses on her ward who were fantastic, the cleaners were friendly and would chat to me while they cleaned my room, which during a 5 week stay could make a real difference to my day.

There were some exceptions sadly who did not make aspects of my stay pleasant but that cannot overshadow the kindness and care showed by the team as a whole.

Another Consultant was also fantastic as were some of his and my Consultant's junior doctors who took a particular interest in my case and trying to help me.

I would love to be able to write to her and thank her as I am aware that she has now left the hospital, I am almost convinced that part of the reason she extended her contract was to see through her promise to me; to find someone able to help me or to keep helping me herself. I feel so sad that I have not been able to thank her personally before she left although I did send many thank you letters and send chocolates etc over the years but we did buy her a small present, which we intended to give her unfortunately she had left before I was recovered enough to bring it in.

The date of my stay is approximate