So the day finally came to meet my new consultant, I was nervous just because I was expecting to have a plan after the appointment and be given so much information. I was happy Andy was taking me and I assumed he would be allowed to come in with me, so I would have an extra pair of ears to listen and take everything in. When we arrived, Andy was not allowed in with me because I was able to walk on my own, I was gutted but I had written a list of questions on my phone to ask the consultant.

I sat and waited to be called through, the nurse who came and got me was lovely and really assuring making me feel at ease. I walked into my new consultants room and I was met with a really warm smile, he made me feel totally comfortable straight away. He had been sent a letter from the GP and my diagnosis and the results of my biopsies. He asked if I minded going through everything up until now which I did, I also explained how the shakiness was still bad and I was bloated and in a bit of pain. I explained I had only had one bowel movement since the colonoscopy which was over 2 weeks ago now. He asked to examine my stomach which he did, he just knew exactly where to press that was sore and uncomfortable. He then asked me to sit back down, he explained to me that this is a process that I will need to go through and he did not want to bombard me with everything at once as it may stress me out. He wanted to explain everything in steps, he said that he first needed to change the steroids that I was on, as the ones I was currently taking were not strong enough and that I also had to add calcium tablets to my medication because of the steroids as they can weaken your bones. I had to continue with the Pentasa and the Vitamin D tablets as well. He changed my steroids to Prednisolone and did warn me of some side affects. He also said that I need to have a blood test before I left. He also wrote down on the back of an information sheet about a drug called Azathioprine which will be my first step after the steroids, he said he wanted to me read up on it so I could get my head around it.

I asked him my questions which he answered, I asked about food again and he said carryon as normal and we will get to food in one of the steps in the plan. I asked him about timescales and again he said not to worry about that and it will take the time it will take depending on how my body reacts to the drugs etc. So he could not give me timescales and told me not to think about that. I was also worried as I had found him now through my private healthcare insurance but when I had spoken to them they said they would only cover me up to March, 2021 as I have now been diagnosed with a Chronic illness which is then not covered for life and check ups and controlling the disease. I couldn’t believe this when I spoke to them over the phone, but after doing research most health insurance does not cover chronic illnesses once diagnosed! It may sound ridiculous and almost bratty because I was seeing a private consultant, but it was because I did not want to have to change consultants once I started my treatment. My lovely Consultant said to not worry as March was a long way off and we will figure all that out when we get closer to the time. He also gave me his email address, If I wanted to ask him anything else and I told him I would send him over any blood tests I have and my letter from the Liver specialist etc. Just so he had as much information as he could that I could provide to him. He said that he wanted to have a phone consultation before Christmas to see how I am on the new drugs and also to go through my blood test results that I was about to have.

I left his room and felt so much happier and I really felt that I was being looked after properly and finally met a consultant that I could ask anything to and also he was thorough. He made me feel at ease and I could trust him, he came across with empathy and understanding of how I was feeling. I then waited to have my blood taken by a wonderful nurse and we just giggled for about 25 mins as she could not get blood from me, she felt so bad but I explained to her that everyone found it difficult to get blood from me and to keep going. She did get my blood eventually but she made me giggle along the way which was a welcome break it was nice to laugh again.

So I left feeling so much happier, knowing what was happening next but not overwhelmed with so much information that I would of not taken all in being on my own at the appointment. I did also come our bruised and like a pin cushion again, but was getting use to that now! I came out and explained to Andy everything and he was happy that we knew what was going on now and the next step in the new year. I went home and read the document he gave me about Azathioprine and I must say it seems a little scary as it is an Immune suppressive and when you are on the drugs to begin with there is weekly blood tests and liver function tests etc. I am reading more about it each day and so many people seem to be on this drug in the Crohn’s and Colitis forum that I am part of so am finding out a lot about it in the forum as well.

I have already been given my telephone consultation for Saturday 19th December so will see what he says then.