The evening of getting my email diagnosis, I was at my GP’s and finally I had Andy in the appointment with me to hear everything the doctor would say. I also have to say that I had told Andy when I was in hospital I had asked the gastroenterologist, who did my colonoscopy after the procedure if I would be able to go on holiday to Barbados which we had booked for Christmas. He laughed and just said no way will you be travelling on holiday, Ainsley you are poorly. Andy seemed to think that I should be able to go away and could not see a problem as my in-laws would be there so help with the kiddies and I could relax. Believe me the thought of lying in the sun for three weeks was wonderful but the thought of the long journey and If I needed medical attention whilst there was worrying me.

The GP I saw was lovely, he was not my normal GP as he was away but I could not of got a better doctor that evening, who made me feel better about my new condition with giving me all the information I needed. We asked him lots of questions about how I could of got this, he said it was through nothing I had done. I asked what I should be eating and drinking because I had read up on the internet about all of it. He told me to stop googling everything and to carryon trying to eat normally because I will have to find out what sets off my crohn’s in terms of food etc. He was shocked I had been given my diagnosis and then no call to explain. He also believed I should now be referred to a local gastroenterologist as I will need to go to lots of appointments and he highly reccomended someone, the new consultants name rang a bell. Andy asked him If we could go on holiday in 10 days time and he said no, if it was my wife I would not let her fly. He said this is not a few weeks and it is fixed, he explained that this was a chronic illness which would change my life but eventually and hopefully within a few months I could start to feel better and it could be controlled with medication. He also explained over the years the medication may change and more check ups, procedures etc.

When we left, I felt more informed about my new condition. I also think Andy felt like he understood it more as well and realised that it was not going to be a quick fix. When I spoke to my best friend that evening I said my new consultants name and she said that he had saved her nan’s life years ago and then my mother in law said that Andys stepdad had been under him before. I knew I recognised his name and they both had high praise for him. I was feeling much happier about it all and on Monday I called to arrange an appointment, the earliest I could see him was Monday 14th December. I had a week to wait but I did not mind as I had a hard week ahead with my beautiful cousins funeral so I wanted to be able to see my new consultant in a better emotional state.