Testament to quality of health care professionals

I had to undergo tests due to weight loss in Nov 2010.

I was diagnosed, after having a colonoscopy, with bowel cancer.

I went in to the hospital on a Monday for a screening test and returned home five hours later after being informed I had bowel cancer and would require radiotherapy, surgery and an Ileostomy.

My wife came from work to collect me on her lunch break, with no idea of the diagnosis .

I was then referred to a consultant in CUH acute hospital and he informed me of the cancer journey I was to experience. He said he would refer me for radiotherapy in an effort to reduce the big tumour which had been diagnosed. Christmas week, I commenced 25 fractions (sessions of radiotherapy). I then had an MRI and CAT Scan and, unfortunately, was informed the radiotherapy had not reduced the bowel tumour. On Mar 23 I was admitted to hospital and had a bowel resection, which was a ten hour operation.

I spent five weeks in hospital due to complications. I returned home for a period of time and was then referred to an oncologist where I was now faced with twenty sessions of chemotherapy. I attended the Dunmanway Day Ward in CUH every Tuesday, where I made new friends: we had positive days and some not so good. But the staff at all times made the journey an easier one, we even received sausage rolls one good Tuesday. I would also visit the stoma nurse in CUH and she, with her team, would discuss with me the management of my new friend ‘Freddie’, and what new bags to use, (as well as writing my prescription) — and always with a smile on her face.

In a professional manner, I was informed in April 2011 I now had secondaries of the liver, as my primary was in the bowel, so more tests were done to confirm the diagnosis and a 12-hour surgery procedure on the liver followed. On this occasion the operation was performed in the Mercy University Hospital and the team of consultants, oncologists, and x-ray experts all had, as they describe it, a multidisciplinary team meeting in advance of my surgery.

My reason for compiling this letter is not to seek pity for myself, but to bring to the attention of the public the fact that when you are sick in this country, there is a wonderful, professional, health service available to all. It is delivered by our local hospitals under management structures which receive a lot of negativity. I, as a patient, cannot find words to describe the dedication, commitment, professionalism and attention to detail of every member of staff I encountered on my cancer journey so far.

I owe my life to the expert medical staff, who on a daily basis, are communicating with national and international experts to ensure they are up to speed with the latest research.

On my cancer journey I have engaged with the ‘team’ and they are too numerous to mention. I had never been a patient until November 2010 and I am 57 years of age, I suppose I was lucky, and unlucky too.

I owe my life to the ‘team’ led by medical experts. I believe it is not until you need the care that we really appreciate their invaluable service.

Thank you all sincerely from a very grateful patient, who today is still waiting for results.

Brendan Keohane

Knockburden

Ovens

Co Cork