So for three months late last year I had a dull ache on the lower right-hand side. I didn’t really do too much about it, took some paracetamol and just got on with it.

Eventually went to see my GP who after an examination decided a two week referral was needed to see a consultant. Having just co-produced a leaflet on two week referrals I understood what this meant and possible diagnosis.

My appointment arrived and off I went to Royal Oldham Hospital. I parked up at and followed the signage to the Lucy Pugh outpatients department.  Some 10 minutes later I found the department which was only 200 yards from where I parked the car! One extra sentence in the appointment letter would have made that part of the appointment easier. Luckily I gave myself plenty of time to get here.

Reception staff at clinic were friendly and informative. Checked me in quickly, checked my personal details and asked would I like a copy of the letter that would be sent to my GP.

I was there to see Mr D Richards who after enquiring is a consultant in general surgery. So at this point was not sure what this meant for my care and treatment.

Appointments were running late and I was called by a nurse to go and sit in a waiting room. The nurse had called my name incorrectly and so I corrected her and said most people tend to stop at Bayliss. No “Hello my name is” and she was slighlty miffed I had pointed out her mistake.

Mr Richards introduced himself and went through his notes and symptoms. Change in bowel habit, blood in stools, dull ache in pelvis area.  So with these in mind I was given an early Christmas pressie of a colonscopy, an ultrasound scan and some lovely sachets of laxative #dingdong

My appointment time was a total of 20 minutes and that includes seeing the nurse for my christmas goodies!

Sunday 23rd November my ultrasound appointment took place at North Manchester General Hospital and it was a really positive patient experience. Great to go on a Sunday which meant I did not have to take time off work. I arrived 40 minutes early to allow for traffic, parking and finding the department.

Sod’s law intervened and there was no traffic, plenty of parking and was taken straight in for my appointment.

My ovaries were not playing fair however, one was found and the other hid! So an internal scan was needed, bit of a bugger after all that water I had drunk.  Eventually found my right ovary, a bit shy but came out of hiding eventually. My thanks to Sue who made the experience as pleasant as it could have been.

Tuesday 2nd December was the #justgiving day and the Royal Oldham were very nice and to gave me a colonscopy. On arrival at the unit, I apologised for being early but was told to take a seat. Across the small waiting she asked would I sign a form, I asked what it was for and she explained it was a disclaimer for my personal belongings.

The form asked me for the town I was born, asked me to confirm my next of kin was my husband but did not ask about my sexual orientation. I asked if this was needed and received a look of confusion and was questioned why it would be. Even my job role was asked for but not my sexual orientation. Knowing my job role had nothing to do with procedure i was to have so why collect it, yet information such as sexual orientation and knowing that may well help meet my needs in a more patient-centered way.

I signed the form, handed it back and with that down came a shutter, it was lunchtime and I had delayed it.

Given the invasive treatment I was about to receive, I was feeling relaxed and with the mindset that I was not going to be the first one to have this procedure and I would not be the last.

The procedure was explained, the NHS gown went on and off I skipped to the theatre. Staff confirmed my name and date of birth but again no “Hello my name is“. At this point, I asked for their names.

Well given they were about to put a camera up my bum, the least they could do was tell me their names, so I asked.

All I can say is thank the lord for gas and air. The procedure although a little uncomfortable was amazing to watch on the screen and I am pleased to say my colon was sparkling after drinking all the laxative! The staff throughout the procedure were great, kept me informed of what was taking place and answered all my questions.

To finish off this experience, I had to wait for 7 weeks for the result of the colonscopy. I eventually found out my results by email directly from the consultant after speaking to PALS. Given this was a two week referral there was no urgency given in letting me know my results. Luckily it was all clear.

So as there was nothing clinically wrong with me, I decided to change my eating habits and started to eat mostly gluten free. Since then all of my symptoms have gone and I feel so much better. #EatNourishGlow

This was my first outpatient experience in over 20 years and at least I can say I know how Sooty felt…