"Chest biopsies and sleep apnoea at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals"

I discovered a lump in my chest and got it checked by my doctor. It was drained and the liquid tested for any dangerous content. The tests proved negative. However the lump returned quickly and the doctors decided to give me a scan and take a core biopsy. The results came back showing irregular cells beneath the lump and it was decided that I should have the lump removed. I got a letter in late October giving me an appointment on the 6th of November for a pre op assessment. On the 2nd of November I got a letter to say that my operation would be on the 8th of November. The pre op assessment went ahead on Monday 6th November and everything went well. I returned to the hospital on Tuesday 7th to sign the consent form but the surgeon was not available. Some further tests were carried out. I then went in at 7.00 on Wednesday 8th to be told that as I had informed them that I probably suffered from Sleep Apnoea they wanted me to have a bed in the High Dependency Unit. However, they were not sure that a bed would be available that evening. It was confirmed later that morning that there wouldn’t be a bed for me and I went home. Early that evening I got a call from the ward to say that a bed should be available on the Thursday. I went in on the Thursday morning and it was all systems go. I was taken down to the theatre around 4.00 and was awake in the recovery by around 6.00. I was in HDU by 6.30 and sitting in a chair watching telly by 7.00. At 4.00 on Friday morning HDU needed the space and I was taken to the normal ward. I was then allowed home just after lunch that day.

Everyone was very helpful and kind to me and as a man on a Women’s ward I was given my own room.

I went back to the hospital for my test results on the 27th of November to be told that what I had was an internal Wart. Much to my relief.

My experience has been a very good one in terms of treatment, speed of response and the care taken over other factors that came to light during discussions such as my Sleep Apnea.

Without further prompting I received a letter saying that the hospital had an oximeter for me. This is the first step in checking my Sleep Apnoea.