Mr Barrie White 2018-01-02 Person 5 5 0

I had been trying to get a diagnosis for my condition which included extreme fatigue, an inability to walk very far and bladder weakness for several years. By the summer of last year I felt very disabled being constantly tired, able to walk only about 200 metres without aid and my bladder problem had become un-controllable. I had no idea what was wrong with me and understandably, neither did my GP. I was however quite depressed and frustrated at the lack of a diagnosis. Eventually, despite having seen one neurologist previously, I was referred back to neurology for a second opinion. Again I was not diagnosed but had a recommendation for an MRI on my brain. I subsequently had the scan and the same evening the consultant neurologist rang my home and explained to me and my wife that they had found a large meningioma (a slow growing tumour) in my brain. He explained that I urgently needed an operation and I was admitted to the Queen's Medical Centre the next day(Friday). On Sunday, I and my wife met Mr White and we were both very impressed by his explanation of the tumour and of the dangers of the operation and of not having it. He seemed very articulate and caring. I signed the consent form and was expecting to be operated on the following morning. On the Monday morning I was being prepped for the operation when I was told the consultants had changed their minds and were going to send me home for a week with a course of steroids. The steroids helped to reduce the pressure on my brain and I felt a lot better. I was readmitted to Queen's the following Wednesday and had the operation on the same day. Mr White personally rang my wife that evening to tell her that the operation had been very successful and they thought they had completely removed the tumour. Myself, I felt better almost immediately although my mind created some very strange problems for me. One moment I felt very relieved and pleased by what had happened and the next I had weird hallucinations which made me very scared. Within a few days I was much improved and was discharged on the following Monday. I don't think I really talked to Mr White during this time but did converse with members of his team. They were extremely professional and caring as were the nursing and auxiliary staff. On discharge, I was allocated a senior nurse contact called Helen who has been very helpful. As I write this it is about 10 weeks since my operation. I feel I am recovering really well and have not felt so alert for many years. I have largely got over the extreme emotions I felt originally but remain extremely grateful to Mr White and his team who I really believe have saved my life. As well as that, Mr White has been a true gentleman and I hope to meet with him in a few days time and will express my thanks in the best way I can.