OK, I will start at the beginning. After a long struggle with pain, inflammation and frustration with the healthcare system in Ireland, a very kind doctor (Prof. Griffin) referred me to Mr Robb. By then, I was confined at home from pain, I had to abandon a job in healthcare (a job I loved), and I was losing hope.
With the background history I had of being dismissed by doctors and having my pain dismissed, I was worried, but I felt I had nothing left to lose. I welcomed the kindness and professionalism of Mr Robb’s Team from the very first phone call with the lovely secretaries and the care coordinator. They were so welcoming, and understanding, empathetic and informative. They treated me like a human being, and not as an illness.
Losing weight was never my goal. Mostly because I never thought it was possible. Being pain-free was my goal, or at least having manageable pain levels, so when I was offered one last option, I jumped with both feet, and that team helped me make a decision that changed my life.
I was scared, but I was so fed up that I decided to make one last attempt. I pretended I wasn’t nervous, but deep down I was thinking: “What if this doesn’t work either?”
I had already spent so much time and money in hospitals, this was a huge commitment and sacrifice, but I wanted to help myself. I had my tests done, I met the Counselor and I was ready to try anything.
The surgery went very well, and for a few days, I struggled to get my pain under control because I had other health issues and got a small infection (due to retention and catheterisation). The CNS (Nurse Susan) was a god sent to me. She believed me, she helped me, she gave me yogurt, information and compassion, she really made me feel heard, and she was invaluable to me as she advocated for me so I could get those small complications out of the way. She went the extra mile, then and months after, I am forever grateful to her.
I started my follow-up with the Dietitian, Endocrinology, Physio, Counsellor, and the rest of the team. I was armed with a wealth of information about what to expect, and I followed their instructions as much as I possibly could. My body took time to heal, and slowly adapted to the new routine.
Listen, I was in pain every single day before surgery day. I needed steroid injections in my joints, I needed strong pain relief, and I had 7 surgeries that year. It was painful to just survive. Today, I take 1 paracetamol a week, most days… nothing. Only my vitamins. Talk about a revolutionary change.
I was discharged from 6 medical teams. I lost 64kg in 1 year. My inflammation markers are gone. My pain is almost just a memory, I am outside, and I think: “So this is what normal feels like! Being outside is actually Nice!”
I can go back to work with energy, and I feel fantastic, like the future and going back to the job I love may be a possibility again.
Dr Griffin and Mr Robb’s team saved my life. They gave me back a quality of Life I didn’t have since, well, forever…They gave me back hope by answering every question, Susan replied to my SMS on whatsapp when she was not even on duty (Sorry Susan).
There are no words to express how thankful I am, and there is nothing I can do or say to make you guys appreciate the magnitude and impact of your work.
All I want now is to be “that” person for other people in my job as well.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. And if you are reading this, trying to decide on your next big health decision, all I can say is, I understand your fear, but your freedom may just be on the other side of it. I wish you the best and all the peace, health brings.
