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Praise for the NHS in my area of Devon

Felinia

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Life has been tricky for the past couple of months, with both myself and my cat being ill. However we have both turned a corned and I decided to get a suspicious spot looked at. Saw the GP last Monday, who referred me to a Consultant Dermatologist. He saw me yesterday evening at 7pm, and suspected Bowens Disease, a pre cancer of the epidermis. Treatment is to excise and send for a biopsy. He said 2-4 weeks wait, but I got a call this morning and I'm having the procedure this coming Wednesday. So 10 days from start to finish. My cousin had the same diagnosis in Hampshire last autumn, and was told he would be seen in 2026. He paid to go private, and was treated in just over 2 weeks. I've always praised my GP service and now the NHS in my area. I'm so lucky. Good job I've got a full freezer at present, but I'll miss aquafit for 6 weeks until I heal. At least I'll be OK for my holiday in May.

B: Poached eggs, bacon, mushrooms

L: Tomato soup, I think, with croutons

D: HM Chicken cacciatore, cauliflower cheese, broccoli

S: Peppermint tea, latte
 
That's very impressive @Felinia and hopefully reassuring that they are getting it checked so quickly. Also glad to hear you and your cat are both improving.
 
That’s very impressive.
In October 2019, I went to my GP to ask about a small growth on my upper lip. He was concerned it was cancerous so referred me for urgent care. The earliest “urgent” appointment available was April 2020. At least it was at that time but given Covid happened, I guess I would have had to wait even longer.
I chose to go private and had the basal cell carcinoma removed in December 2019.
Everything was completely removed and I have been fine ever since. Apart from a scar which most people don’t notice, the only lasting consequence is that I have remember to answer “yes” to the question about whether I have ever had cancer.
 
That's pretty good these days @Felinia Well done the NHS where you are.

I once had what I assumed to be a mole on my leg but noticed one day, some years ago now, that it was getting darker. Saw my GP and was referred to hospital to have it removed and sent away for a biopsy. It turned out to be a benign seborrheic wart, which was a great relief.
 
That's pretty good these days @Felinia Well done the NHS where you are.

I once had what I assumed to be a mole on my leg but noticed one day, some years ago now, that it was getting darker. Saw my GP and was referred to hospital to have it removed and sent away for a biopsy. It turned out to be a benign seborrheic wart, which was a great relief.
I had a similar thing on my back. Noticed it had gone crusty and got a bit larger and irregular. During covid lockdowns so sent a photo with tape measure as requested. Got a dermatology referral within 3 weeks and pleased to find out it was harmless and benign.
 
Great to hear when things go well @Felinia - and that sounds pretty exemplary treatment. As for 2026?!? No wonder your cousin decided to go private 😱

Hope the results come back benign, and you recover speedily.
 
Thank you everyone. I've just bought a pair of culottes and my first skirt for 25 years, as I don't expect to get my trousers over the dressing!!!!!
 
Had the excision this morning and now at home resting for 2 days. 8 stitches - 4 internal and 4 external. Painless (until the local anaesthetic wears off) and all over in 30 minutes. Seeing the nurse in 10 days. Results 3-6 weeks

All done.jpg
 
Had the excision this morning and now at home resting for 2 days. 8 stitches - 4 internal and 4 external. Painless (until the local anaesthetic wears off) and all over in 30 minutes. Seeing the nurse in 10 days. Results 3-6 weeks

View attachment 34518
All the best for your recovery.
Then, maybe we get a picture of the skirt and culottes 😉
 
All the best for your recovery.
Then, maybe we get a picture of the skirt and culottes 😉
With my knobbly knees? Not a chance - those culottes will become strictly beachwear :rofl:
 
That is very good to hear. I was reading horror stories in the Sage magazine recently in the letters section about women over 70 who could not get breast cancer screening, either phones now answered or they were not given appointments.

I decided to self-refer as I have now passed the age for "recall." I called our local breast screening service and got through in about 20 seconds. I was told I could self-refer and was given an appointment one week later. All clear when result came back.

My neighbour was taken ill last year and paramedics called out. Blue lighted to our local hospital, seen by doctors, scanned, blood clot found in brain, blue lighted to our specialist hospital, doctors waiting there on his arrival, dealt with clot. Ambulance called 9.50 a.m. and all sorted by 4.30 p.m. same day.

Most people I know do have problems getting GP appointments, including me, but that does seem to be the norm at present.
 
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