"Excellent care in ophthalmology department and..."

I needed emergency laser surgery to both eyes due to diabetic retinopathy having become proliferative causing bleeds into the eyes. It is no exagerration to say I was petrified with fear over having this done as I am phobic about anything to do with eyes, only just coping with eye drops. I was very shocked and distressed, so much so that once the surgery was arranged I felt I could not come in and do it. I am a very large lady and also suffer from M.E. which leaves me exhausted, stiff, and in a lot of pain all the time and have very limited mobillity. I had just recently come out of (a different) hospital after a pulmonary embolism and felt like I could not cope with anything more. The team were fantastic in persuading me back in, talking me through my fears, and going way beyond the call of duty in being supportive to me, working out ways to deal with the practical problems caused by my size and my disabling illness and keep me as physically comfortable and emotionally supported as it was possible for me to get. They enabled me to cope in the end through having both eyes done at once. Many staff were involved from surgeon to student, and I had people holding my hands through surgery and encouraging me, which really helped me carry on when it all got too much, and to avoid having to stop due to panic or discomfort. As I am breathless they even took care to have me lyirg flat as little time as possible during the procedure. Having got me through it all I could hear how genuinely elated they all were at having achieved this and they were lovely in congratulating me for coping. I could not have wanted for better care and I am so grateful to everyone involved.