"Passed with flying colours!"

I have been fortunate enough to have undergone an operation in October and further treatment in December, at Torbay Hospital under the care of the Consultant Colorectal Surgery and his team. Initially I experienced a very alert radiologist’s and as a result of her observations she quickly put me in touch with the correct department and cancer was duly diagnosed. Admittedly I was very apprehensive initially about the procedures but at every step of the way I have been supported and have had everything carefully explained to me which has been very reassuring and helpful. Every member the staff I have encountered has been encouraging, and thankfully light touches of humour have also helped me along On the bottom of the letter I received re preparation for the operation from the Anaesthetic Department where, as I am quite elderly (85), I was to use their ‘cycling’ equipment etc. for them to evaluate my fitness for the anaesthetic, it stated that “their equipment was the same as used by our elite athletes in the Olympics”. I really felt in good company! The necessary pre-operation experiences were obviously not always pleasant but everything was done to reassure me, to ensure my comfort and preserve my modesty! I was very impressed with the kindness and consideration I constantly received. Even when receiving my epidural injection just prior to the operation we found something to chuckle about. (Racist – between Glasgow and Edinburgh) The Intensive Care Ward I truthfully cannot remember, all I know is that the staff kept me free from pain and continued to do so on my transfer to Allerton Ward. The porter who transferred me there was kindly and I also found all the staff of the ward, including those serving meals, did an excellent job and I am so very grateful to them all. I appreciated not having to cook and as did my fellow patients there, particularly enjoyed the Leek and Potato Soup! On arrival home, daily ‘phone calls from the assigned cancer nurses kept in touch and they were very helpful. I suggest that extra specially gifted and compassionate members of staff are selected at Torbay Hospital. Anyone I have spoken to recently who has had experience of our Hospital has said how good everything was for them during their stay there. I have taken the opportunity to let people see just how well I have recovered and folk have found this very reassuring, indeed amazing! I forwarded my comments to my M.P. and again would like to record my thanks to all who have enabled me to get on happily and energetically with my life. Indeed I am back playing bowls again, (indoor and also short mat at present, not underwater games). Phyl Henderson n.b. My experiences at the hospital and sundry visits from Aug. 2013 until Jan. 2014