Mr Kanna Gnanalingham 2021-04-06 Person 5 5 0

I am not quite sure how to put into words how grateful my family and I are towards Mr Gnanalingham and his team. This includes his surgical team, the pituitary nurse Fiona, the staff on the ward at the Salford Hospital and both of his secretary’s on the NHS and private. I first met him privately initially as he arranged for his secretary to contact me when he became aware of my case and that I had been diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma and Cushings disease. He was aware that Due to the pandemic waiting for an appointment on the NHS could be months and this would slow everything down. I had been told by the endocrinology team I would need an IPSS test before I would even be considered for surgery but due to COVID they were not doing them so surgery would be an indefinite time away and this disease was ruining my life. However, he looked at my scans and biochemical evidence and was willing to see me to discuss surgery without the test slowing everything down. I saw him privately and he was the first honest person to tell me what kind of effect surgery would have. He was very professional but kind to my Mum and I and could see how much I was struggling. He was honest and said he had to risk assess me against the risk of COVID in hospitals but if he could he would try and get me on cortisol lowering medication and then in for surgery as soon as he could a month or so later. He did exactly as he said. He risk assessed me and agreed to put me forward for surgery and it was booked for around 7 weeks later and I received the medication shortly afterwards. I then saw him on the NHS before the operation for another meeting with my Mum which was quite short and he then arranged for Fiona the pituitary nurse to contact me and speak with me to address my questions and concerns. Fiona was lovely, she spent a long time giving me lots of information; mass amounts more than any of the endocrinology team and again she was completely honest with the surgery and recovery processes and possible complications. She has such a calming and caring presence and is really approachable and trustworthy. I then saw Mr Gnanalingham again on the morning of surgery he came to the ward to make sure I was ready for what was to come and to sign paperwork. The next thing I knew I was seeing him in the recovery room where he phoned my Mum as he had promised he would to tell her it had all gone OK. It was difficult due to COVID and the operation being 4 days prior to Christmas as I believe he would normally visit on the ward to check how his patients are doing. However, I know behind the scenes he was checking in and ringing the ward to see how I was and what my blood results were. Since the operation I had not had any direct contact with him but had a follow up appointment with Fiona and a few phone calls where she has asked him questions and has always got back to me with the answers. Unfortunately I had very bad experiences following surgery with the endocrinology team so Fiona did what she could and I ended up being referred to the Christie hospital where my aftercare and support is just beginning. I then had a follow up call with him the other evening where he was so kind to me and understanding. Again... enormously honest in telling me that there is a long road ahead but this will be the worst part and he believes that I will get there! You can tell how genuine he was when he was saying that and it was an emotional call to speak with him again and how encouraging he was. I had reached a point where I needed to hear his belief to carry on with this journey. Mr Gnanalingham is an absolute credit to the Salford hospital and everybody you meet does not have a bad word to say about him. His reputation proceeds him and I am lucky enough to have found out why through unlucky circumstances. I believe he created the particular ward for those surgery’s and he really cares about his patients, is kind, honest, professional yet caring and realistic! He is obviously fantastic and extremely knowledgable with rare diseases and his attention to detail must be phenomenal. My tumor was very small yet from the blood results I have had since it seems that he has managed to get it all with no complications from the operation itself! His work speaks for him. I could not recommend him enough and as I said earlier he and Fiona were the only honest people with me throughout this horrible journey. I know he will always remain in the background now monitoring upcoming MRI scans and be there for me should I get a reoccurrence. This was my first every surgery, a scary one at that, especially as I could not have family there or any visitors. However, I was confident with Mr Gnanalingham that I was in capable hands and knew he would do everything he could for me and he quite literally did. He has quite literally saved my life and I will never be able to put into words how thankful and grateful I am for that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.