"Emergency Appendectomy"

I was very ill by the time I went to the emergency at the Denmark Health Campus with severe abdominal pain. However, I was seen to quickly by the clinical nurse who promptly diagnosed and called the doctor. Once all confirmed I was given pain relief and from there I drifted.

The clinical nurse was very alert to the problem, efficient and caring. The doctor also was quick to agree. I had presented before in emergency with diverticulitis some months prior but this was very different and severe.

From there, St John Ambulance Denmark was called and I was treated very kindly and talked to throughout the journey (55kms) to Albany Health Campus. Once there, I'm afraid I can only remember being put through the CT scan, where I was talked to and told what was happening.

After that, I can only remember being showered by a lovely nurse in prep for surgery for an appendectomy. From then on, nothing, until waking to my child in recovery.

Once I started to become aware of things, I found the nursing staff very compassionate and caring; explaining obs and the operation to me and that I had been very, very ill.

The surgeons came in every morning and explained that it was a serious surgery, not quite so routine and I would take a while to heal.

Over the next 4 odd days, the nursing staff had to put up with me in awful pain, many tears of depression and despair. They were kind, attentive, listened to me and insisted they were there for me at any time.

I had been moved to the maternity ward from surgical. I was treated very well and felt when finally discharged that I was losing my security with them. I was not made to feel I had to leave before being ready and I would suggest they were quite busy.

I am grateful to all involved, it was quite traumatic and unexpected. I am recovering well, surgically and strength-wise.