My health heroes at St James’s and LGI
All the staff that looked after me were
absolutely amazing
Health hero nomination by Ellie Faulkner
I have a massive appreciation for NHS staff, and in particular, the staff that looked after me both when I had quinsy and when my tonsils were removed.
Not the Christmas I expected…
I’d had tonsillitis many times but in December 2018 my tonsillitis developed into quinsy and my throat swelled up to the point where I couldn’t breathe. I went to A&E at St James’ hospital by myself where the reception staff and the nurses were incredibly kind to me.
“My quinsy came back with a vengeance on Christmas Day”
I was taken to LGI in an ambulance and had my throat drained. Again, all the staff that looked after me there were absolutely amazing. I hoped that would be the end of it, but unfortunately, my quinsy came back with a vengeance on Christmas Day of 2018 and I was in hospital again. Despite wanting to be with their own families on such a festive day, the staff at LGI were absolutely amazing and so kind to me. They sorted me out in time for me to be back at home to enjoy opening presents and spending time with my family by late afternoon, which meant the world to me. They also put me on the waiting list for a tonsillectomy.
Fast forward 8 months
In August 2019 I had the surgery to remove my tonsils. I was very scared, especially as they had to use general anaesthetic, but the staff were so lovely and reassured me that everything was going to be okay. The operation went as planned and when I awoke from surgery, the nurses made me laugh (despite the pain in my throat!) and said I was the only person they’d seen wanting to eat toast after a tonsillectomy.
“They valued me and my health
so highly”
Truth be told, I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible! Later that day, however, I suffered a bad bleed in the night and had to go back to LGI. The A&E staff were absolutely incredible, as were the staff who admitted me to a ward for the night to take care of me. They valued me and my health so highly and, following this last admission, I made a full recovery and haven’t had any throat issues since.
Thank you so much Leeds NHS! I will never forget the love and care you gave me.