Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:03 am Post subject: My recent NHS experiences.
The original purpose of this Board was for Members to tell us about their NHS "experiences", but of course it has become (as Boards do) rather sidetracked, no matter, here is my account of my recent "Close Encounter" with Britain's National Health Service.
I had been feeling unwell for some months without fully realising what was happening to me. I was unable to walk more than a few yards without becoming totally breathless, and being forced to find somewhere to sit down.
But it wasn't until I visited my new G.P. that Thursday morning and he sent me off to hospital, that I fully realised just how ill I had allowed myself to become.
When I arrived at the hospital, I was quickly admitted due to the letter of referral from my Doctor, and soon I was on a ward and having transfusions of blood. Thankfully they had a supply in stock of my A.B. Positive Blood Group.
I remember laying on the bed watching the stuff drip, drip, drip, into my body, and I could not help but wonder who had donated it, and I wanted badly to thank them for their precious gift to me.
However, I knew that that would be an impossilbility, so I would just like to use the medium of this website to thank them publically from the bottom of my heart.
I had to have four units of new blood, and it helped to literally save my life.
Because of my breathing difficulties I was given oxygen and I really needed it. I had access to it for over a week until my breathing stabalised and it really helped.
At first I was in a womens' surgical ward, for over a week, until I had a C.T. scan which showed my bloodclots and my cancer, then with the help of a lovely McMillan Nurse, I was transferred to a much more "pleasant" ward, with a good view and more pleasant surroundings, which was the main cancer ward in the hospital.
The Nurses, Doctors, and all the Staff were really great and very kind on both wards, and they do work long shifts and have a lot of responsilbility to contend with. I could not do a job like they do, and I admired every one of them.
After thirteen days, I was allowed home, and have also received good "follow-up" care from the District Nurses and Macmillian Staff.
The British National Health Service often comes in for a lot of stick, but to me it has quite literally been a life-saver and I am writing this as a tiny tribute to them all and as a big "Thank You" for helping me in my hours of need.
It sounds as though you were well looked after Sandie but why on earth did you neglect yourself when you felt so poorly?
Why didn't you go to the doctor earlier? _________________ If you cant say something nice then dont say anything at all.
I did not realise that I was so dangerously ill, Maisie. I was putting my breathing problems down to my suddenly stopping smoking! _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
Well I am glad you got to the doctors and got it sorted out.
DONT ever neglect yourself again.
Why dont you copy what you have written here and send it to your local paper? It would be nice to read something good instead of all the bad stuff we hear about every day and someone will be bound to read it who works at the hospital. _________________ If you cant say something nice then dont say anything at all.
Actually, Maisie, that is a good idea. I can only speak as I find, and as far as I am concerned, the NHS did me proud. Particularly when I was watching a Micheal Moore film yesterday called "Sicko", it highlighted the state of Healthcare in America.
That was scary indeed. Did you know that a lot of the Rescuers of 9/11 are still awaiting compensastion for the health problems they face after dealing with all that dust and asbestos dust from the Twin Towers?
America needs to get it's collective act together fast. Millions of people die over there simply because they cannot afford basic healthcare. _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
I also have only praise for my local hospital I have had brilliant treatment, I know people knock it all the time but when you really need it the help is there, although I no longer need the ward nurses I still only have to pick up the phone and I can talk to a specialised nurse who knows about my case, I am still under a consultant and know if I did not feel well I would soon get to see him, well done NHS. _________________
Yes Joan, we all know that the poor old NHS gets some terrible press from time to time, but, at the end of the day, it's OUR NHS and it's there for us if/when we need it.
Compared with the poor/ordinary person in the States, we are so fortunate.
Other countries that also have brilliant free Health Services are France, Spain, and would you believe Cuba?
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