"All encouraged and supported me"

I suddenly had terrible pain in the centre of my abdomen. I was taken to A and E at Crosshouse hospital where I was diagnosed with Severe acute pancreatitis.

I was treated on ward 5 B. Firstly I was given Morphine etc which took away the pain but made me feel terrible hallucinating etc. I was informed I was Opiate nieve so decided to stick to paracetamol. This helped greatly as I felt in control of myself again. For 2 weeks I tried to eat but was continually sick eventually an NG tube was inserted which gave some relief but I still unable to eat and became very weak. I asked to be fed and was introduced to Lewis the hospital dietitian. An NJ tube was then fitted along with the NG. I was fed by tube and carefully monitored by Lewis. Starting 24 hrs per day then reduced to give me some tube free time.

After about 2 weeks I felt much stronger and the surgeons and Lewis decided to spigot my NG. The first attempt had to be aborted but they tried again 2 days later, and it worked. I was allowed to drink other than water and enjoyed my daily trip down to the coffee shop with my visitors.

The next day I was tried on a soft diet cutting my tube feed down to help me get hungry. I loved tasting food again and managed to eat all I was given. On Friday morning I told Lewis I would like it cut down further. He decided to take the bull by the horns and stop it all together. I managed to enjoy 3, 2 course meals a day along with coffee and a soft chocolatey treat in between. On Monday the consultant and Lewis were very pleased with my progress, they answered all my concerns and questions and I was allowed home where I am now under the loving care of my family. 

I would like to thank everyone in ward 5B from the domestics to the consultants who all encouraged and supported me held my hand and wiped my tears. Especially  Mr Kine, Lewis and all the nursing staff.