"Excellent care and attention"

I recently attended the maxillofacial department at Forth Valley Royal. 

On my first visit, I was apprehensive, as I had a growth on my tongue which had not responded to the treatment my GP had prescribed. The doctor I spoke to was reassuring, warm, and professional, and arranged for me to return within a couple of weeks for a  biopsy.

I attended for my biopsy appointment and was taken pretty much right on time. The time I saw, Rachel and her two colleagues, were excellent. The procedure was uncomfortable, certainly, but everything possible was done to make me as comfortable as possible. 

Despite my size, I am a notorious fainter. When I informed the team of this, I was immediately was provided with a cool flannel to place on my head and a fan was brought into the consulting room to try (successfully) to keep me from fainting during the procedure. 

The worst part of the procedure was the anaesthetic injections into my tongue. I was reassured and encouraged during this part of the procedure, and even managed a laugh or two before my tongue became so swollen as to render my speech unintelligible!

The remainder of the procedure passed smoothly and swiftly, and I was given time to gather myself afterwards to try to retain some semblance of normality prior to returning to the outside world. 

My biopsy is now in the hands of the pathology team, and - fingers crossed - will return showing nothing to worry about. However, should I be presented with a challenging diagnosis, I feel confident that I am in the very best hands and that the team at FVRH will help and comfort me, no matter what the next steps may be.

Thank you to Rachel and her team for making a procedure I have been dreading for quite some time as comfortable and painless as it possibly could be. You made an old coward very relaxed - which is no mean feat! Thank you all for your excellent care and attention.