"Really pleased with the hospital"

I don't live in Essex but was staying with my mother in law one weekend and awoke with the most extraordinary pain. I was taken by ambulance to Basildon Hospital where a severe gall bladder infection was diagnosed. It turned out that I have had misdiagnosed gallbladder problems for years.

I spent over two weeks (I think in the surgical review unit). I have never felt as ill, but I received excellent care. Difficult to pick out anyone, as staff were all so good, although one was particularly great when I was at my worst.

Although not local, the hospital prioritised my operation just a few weeks later, when the gall bladder had settled down. There was flexibility around timings, both for the operation and the pre-op check. Mr surgeon carried out the op. They warned me that it was going to be difficult given the history and that it was likely that they would have to convert it to an 'open' operation. It was, I was told afterwards, a very difficult operation, but completed as keyhole surgery. I am extremely grateful to my surgeon, who clearly really persevered to complete it without opening me up.

This meant that I recovered much more quickly.

I feel great now. All symptoms gone. I am very grateful for the the excellent care and also for the quick operation. Other people I know are having to wait for long periods. I'm glad that I was in Essex when my gallbladder finally decided to really kick off!

I'm sorry that it has taken me a while to fill this in. I really should have done it before.