Operation

Today I had to attend an appointment at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, in relation to several upper gastric issues I have been experiencing, over the last year or so. I have been waiting for this appointment for quite a while, long before the pandemic struck. Although apprehensive about going to the Hospital, I wore a suitable mask and socially distanced as much as I could, turning up just before my consultation time, waiting in an almost empty room for my name to be called. Unlike other experiences of standing in queues at hospitals and GP surgeries, this was relatively painless and went without a hitch.

I was called into room 2 of the Surgical Outpatients Unit within ten minutes, and spoke to a Doctor Walters, who explained she wanted to discuss the possibility of having a gallbladder removal operation. After asking me about my ongoing abdominal symptoms, she gave me a thorough examination, looking at my stomach and commenting on the 'fine appendectomy scar' I had and how wonderful to see such a 'classic example,' explaining they aren't 'like they used to be.' Suitably impressed, she agreed the operation could be carried out, which should relieve much of the pain I have been experiencing.

The heart attack symptoms, that encouraged me to phone an ambulance in May of this year, were caused by the gall bladder, expelling a gallstone through a connecting tube and into the bile duct. This is an occurrence that could happen again and could  cause symptoms of jaundice, sparking a medical emergency. It was important to remove the bladder as soon as possible, to avoid complications. Just removing the stones would not be possible, as they would just grow back within a matter of months. Clarifying it was perfectly possible to lead a normal life without a gallbladder, it seemed more than appropriate to agree to an operation.

Of course, we are in the middle of a pandemic and it could take a while before this operation is carried out. Dr Walters explained that waiting times are a minimum of six months and even then it is dependent on the course the pandemic takes. She told me if things get back to normal relatively quickly, then it could happen earlier. She would also contact me if an appointment becomes available through cancellation and would endeavour to 'get things done,' as quick as possible. This was a great relief to hear; after suffering pain for quite some time now, I can only hope this is the beginning of the end of the constant discomfort.

To all of you, who are scared about attending Hospital right now, I can only say, it is important you do so. Every precaution was taken to ensure all of us who were there were kept as safe as we possibly could be and seen as quickly as possible. Unlike pre COVID days, there was no waiting around for hours, there was an expeditious flow of patients, seen without fuss and agitation. This is the way the National Health Service should work, pandemic or not and is a lesson for the future.

Thankfully I am now on a waiting list, even if it is for six months and hopefully by next summer I will be very much back to my old self. Until then, I hope there is no return of the worst features of this condition and my life can carry on without the need for another trip to A&E!

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