"It is so good, at last, to be pain free"

I had suffered with back and leg pain on and off for years but back in September 2011, after the pain in my leg had got worse and was with me 24/7, I went to see my doctor. I was referred to a specialist who then referred me on for an MRI scan which concluded I had a prolapsed disc.

In January 2012 I went to see Mr A Kamat who advised that I should have an operation (keyhole microdiscectomy). After a lot of consideration (I was petrified of having an operation as, apart from a c-section, I'd never had one before) and trying other unsuccessful options such as physiotherapy I decided to go ahead and have the procedure. In August 2012 I was admitted to The Thornbury Hospital in Sheffield. I was a nervous wreck but the staff were wonderful. I was terrified of being put to sleep but the anaesthetist came and spoke to me, reassured me and put my mind at rest as did Mr Kamat, my Consultant.

After the operation I was taken back to my room to recover. The staff were fabulous, nothing was too much trouble. The day after my op I was encouraged to get up and I couldn't believe that the pain had completely gone. I was in hospital for 2 nights. The care I received was excellent.

It is now 2 months since I had my op and I am so pleased that I went ahead with it. My recovery has been good. I've had no problems. The scar has healed beautifully.

Many thanks to all the staff involved in my care and especially to Mr Kamat for performing the operation. It is so good to, at last, be pain free.