"Grateful for the kind and helpful care"

I recently had a tonsillectomy and wanted to pass on my thanks to the whole team that were involved in my experience. This was my first hospital experience and surgery so I was apprehensive and unsure of what to expect.

From admittance on to the surgical ward, the pre-op process was swift but I didn’t feel rushed. The anaesthetist and lead surgeon came around separately and explained their roles and an overview of the procedure (including the expected post-op recovery process). They were clear, realistic and I felt like I could trust them almost immediately, which definitely helped with the nerves.

My experience in the operating room was as pleasant as I could hope for given I was about to have my first surgery. The staff were friendly and understanding, explaining what to do and what they were doing as they did it - which I found very reassuring.

My procedure went very well and, as far as I am aware, I woke up well without any issues as I arrived on the recovery ward. Shortly afterwards, I was transferred back to the surgical ward to be monitored further (as expected). The nursing staff were brilliant - they were generally friendly and helpful, encouraging me to drink and eat as soon as I felt able but without me feeling pressured to do so. They really helped make this initial post-op experience a positive one, despite the obvious pain!

My recovery at home went well for about the first week, managing the pain reasonably well with the regular medication I had been prescribed, and no complications.

However, on day 6 or 7 I started to notice blood clots appearing at the back of my throat which were growing rather than shrinking. I called the ward with the number provided at discharge and they advised me to get it checked out as a precaution at A&E.

My experience of A&E was overall positive given the worrying situation. I was triaged, bloods taken and seen to relatively quickly. As is the case with post-tonsillectomy bleeds, they decided to admit me overnight for observation. The staff were kind and understanding. After the consultant’s rounds the next morning, I was discharged by midday following no further bleeding. He explained how this can happen multiple times and to return if it does rather than feel bad for coming in - he made me feel reassured.

The following day multiple growing clots had formed and one began to bleed, so we returned to A&E as instructed (about an hour away). Again the process was positive, especially given the horror stories about A&E wait times - I was seen relatively quickly by the A&E team before ENT came to consult. All of the staff involved were friendly, understanding and generally reassuring, informing me that the bleed appeared to have nearly stopped at this point. As I expected, they confirmed that I would again be admitted overnight.

This time I was given some fluids and medication to help with the blood clotting through my IV which worked well. When the consultant came round the following morning, I discussed my worries about the bleeding and eating and the distance I live from the hospital (about an hour away), and I felt heard in this conversation. Ultimately, I was discharged later that day with a prescription for the blood clotting meds and antibiotics as a precaution, given that this was my second post-tonsillectomy admittance.

The discharge lounge and its staff were lovely and friendly, and I think it is a great facility to have at the hospital to help free bed spaces without patients feeling too rushed.

On returning home, I had no further bleeds/issues and was able to recover with my regular pain meds as needed. The healing process took longer than I anticipated but I am pleased with the overall outcome.

I want to thank all of the staff involved with my care at any point during this experience as I am grateful for the kind and helpful care I received. Thank you.