This week I’ve seen two ENT Specialists Doctors. The first was at my local outpatients department. Although they had made clear that they didn’t feel competent to undertake the surgical repair I required, don’t get me started on that one, they had offered to provide management advice.
I have to say: All of the staff were friendly, smiled and were a credit to the NHS. The Consultant was kind and explained that the hole in my septum has got bigger. He gave me antibiotics and nasal antibiotic creams. He said it would be unlikely due to the now larger size, that they would be unable to place a button and that it would more likely need more extensive surgery to repair. He requested urgent blood tests, including a test to indicate if I have vasculitis. He said I should wait to see what the other ENT Consultant says on Wednesday.
The next was at another hospital. I was particularly anxious, given my experience with private healthcare. They were also kind and the Consultant particularly reassuring. She called the hole in my nose: nasal destruction and reported that I had no cartilage left. This may go some way to explain the pain I am currently constantly in. She requested urgent bloods to test for vasculitis and urgent surgery (in the next fortnight) for an antiseptic nasal washout and biopsies. The hour’s appointment turned into a day as I waited for blood to be drawn, pre-op and ECG.
I should note that this has gone from a little hole in December (2023) to complete nasal destruction of the cartilage now (in April 2024). Having had no clinical experience or personal experience with ENT I cannot predict the outcome of biopsies or blood tests.
I am hoping normal pain-free service can resume soon.
Write soon,
Antony
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