"My breast cancer treatment"

In May 2018 I found a lump in my right breast...I was formally diagnosed about 4 weeks later with early onset breast cancer and this is my chance to thank every single person involved in my care to date. From the outset, the staff I have come into contact with have been absolutely amazing.

From Miss Fitzgerald the first consultant I saw and her lovely positivity, the nurses Grace and Angela; Angela was always the most smiley welcoming person during my numerous visits to Hairmyres and I loved the way I was always put at ease by her. Mr Mansell was my next step on the road and he was both funny and positive as well as professional. At no time during my visits to Hairmyres hospital did I ever feel anything other than completely in the loop and sure that the processes we were going through were tailored to me personally and that everyone was doing their ultimate best for me. 

So next step was plastic surgery, as my treatment was going to involve removal of the tumour via lumpectomy. Without going into too much detail regarding actual treatment, I was scheduled for a lumpectomy and was introduced to Mr Chaterjee. The most unassuming man you can imagine, with the most kind and gentle nature. He was amazingly professional whilst keeping my spirits high and making everything that was happening to me seem no problem at all. After every visit with him, I felt positive and ready for whatever I had to face.

Skipping on to my operation, carried out at Wishaw General, here I must admit to forgetting the individual names of some of the staff involved in my care. For that I am truly apologetic. I'm not great with names but I'll never forget their faces and all they did for me. From porters to the fabulous nurses, in theatre and on the ward, to the surgeons (there were more than just Mr Chaterjee), they treated me respectfully and as if I was the most important job they had. When I came out of theatre I was so hot and felt pretty rubbish and some lovely person acquired me a fan which was just fantastic! Christine whose fabulous surname I cannot remember was one of the operating plastic surgeons and was, like Mr Chaterjee responsible for making me feel totally relaxed going in.

Skipping forward again, surgery was great success and I got to go home the following day. I felt great relatively speaking, and progressed well. To cut the proverbial long story shorter, unfortunately my biopsy results came back with the news that while surgery had been fantastic, there was a mass of pre cancerous cells outside the margins and the gorgeous Christine was almost beside herself when she told me I'd require further surgery. It's quite an incredible feeling when a consultant is so personally engaged with you that they are genuinely upset at anything other than a perfect outcome for you!

Anyway again a big skip forward to my most recent stint in hospital for mastectomy and reconstruction. From admission onwards I felt confident and positive because of the amazing team round me. The ever amazing Mr Chaterjee, Mr Chew, also fab and funny! Lovely Mr Reekie, new to me but equally as amazing as his colleagues. Surgery was amazingly simple...for me!!! but a long haul for the surgeons. Soon though I was back on the ward with my absolutely tremendous 'personal' nurses Linda and Elinore who took SUCH good care of me. Mark and Taylor the other nursing staff. Nothing was too much bother and I mean nothing! The auxiliary staff, cleaners, absolutely everyone were fantastic. Mr Chaterjee who after being at hospital operating all day on me phoning after midnight to check on me??? Mr Reekie the following day coming in about 2330 hours from an incredibly long day at the Childrens hospital, just to check how I was?? Above and beyond, every one of them....

There are people I must have forgotten and for that I am truly sorry but I want to thank each and every one of them. I am looking forward to a great recovery and getting back to normal life thanks to them and I want them to be aware of how grateful I am... Without these people and our AMAZING NHS I would not be the person I am today. We have a fantastic NHS and THE most important part of it, is the staff. These people are everyday heroes and I will be in awe of them every day of my life.

Thank you again for....everything.