Intro

It all began on the 5th of January 2009. The shock was to be told that the result of an MRI scan was it “something we weren’t looking for” and that I had an appointment for me to see a surgeon. The “something we weren’t looking for” was apparently a cancerous tumour the size of a melon in or attached to my small bowel which had to be operated on as soon as possible.

The Operation

Not a success. The tumour was too big to be removed and I had some difficulties in recovery. All in all this was a low point in my treatment. The Way back

The way back started 10 days later. My wife took a phone call from a Haematologist who was a consultant at the BMI Priory. Dr Salim Shafeek will feature prominently in the rest of this story as it was his expertise and persistence and that of his team who pulled me back into the living. His message was simple: he had seen the biopsy results and “the tumour was highly treatable” and could we come to see him at BMI Droitwich hospital the next day? Yes we could and yes we did.

More good news. I was to be admitted to the BMI Priory Hospital the following day to cure an infection in the wound left behind by the operation and then to commence Chemotherapy on a day patient basis. The strategy? “First we are going to shrink it and then we are going to kill it” I signed up for that.

I spent a week as an in patient at the BMI Priory and I have good experience on which to base an opinion.

First the nursing care was consistently good and expert. I was desperately ill at the time and I had almost continuous IV antibiotics and other drugs. I was treated with courtesy and sometimes made to laugh. Dr Shafeek was a daily presence – examining, directing and cheering.

BMI Priory is so well resourced that all the tests and can and are done on site.

The last treatment was the first of my chemotherapy sessions down in the Haemato-oncology suite staffed by expert, cheerful and courteous staff who became almost friends. Chemo really isn’t that bad. It takes almost a whole day and depending I guess on the exact treatment and your reaction to it, you feel wretched for 2 or 3 days afterwards at home. But you are never left to suffer alone. Drinks and biscuits and lunch come on demand, It is clean and comfortable and you never made to feel you are a nuisance.

I came back 7 times in the next 6 months and it was always the same – just as good every time and that doesn’t happen by accident.

The Outcome

The chemo worked. The tumour went into remission. I went back to see my surgeon. He shook my hand with warmth. “It’s good to see you again”, he said. He obviously hadn’t expected to. But thanks to Salim Shafeek and his team and the BMI Priory I am still here and rowing up and down the river Severn.

Thanks everyone.

CG
Very lucky to have met Dr Shafeek , has the most excellent bedside manners and kindness. Easily approachable at any time.

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Mr D.L – My experience with Dr S.Shafeek & BMI Priory Birmingham

BMI Priory Treatment

I first recognised I was ill when I had pain in my groin and my leg swelled up from my hip down to my toes and was red all over.

The doctor at the Primary Care Unit suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and immediately injected me with Clexane to prevent blood clotting.

On the National Health I was referred to Kidderminster Hospital for a scan with suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

During the first manual scan, my Lymph Node in the groin area was identified as being enlarged.

A second CT scan was carried out at Kidderminster Hospital and identified more accurately as being enlarged and suspected Lymphoma.

My GP arranged for Clexane injections on a daily basis and also introduced Warfarin and was in the process of arranging a biopsy on the National Health.

I explained to my GP that I had private medical insurance and asked to be referred privately.

I was then referred to Dr Shafeek who following examination and blood tests at BMI Droitwich immediately admitted me to the BMI Priory for a Biopsy and further examination.

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BMI Priory

At the Priory during a two night stay, various blood tests were taken and medication given to reverse the affect of Warfarin and a CT guided Biopsy was carried out.

After a two night stay and the Biopsy completed, I was sent home with medication including a steroid tablet.

Within a week, at my next appointment with Dr Shafeek he explained the result of the Biopsy and I was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell - Non Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Having been given the diagnosis of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, Dr Shafeek arranged for R-CHOP Chemotherapy to be carried out at the BMI Priory as soon as possible and I was told that I would need six sessions with a three week interval between sessions. The treatment was to last for a period of approximately 5 months.

Before the Chemotherapy started a Bone Marrow sample was taken and PET scan for later reference.

I attended the BMI Priory Chemotherapy Unit to receive the first R-CHOP chemotherapy session on the 19th May 2011, and the complete session lasted approximately 8 hours.

The Chemotherapy sessions were administered to me as a day patient and I then returned home when completed. After only one session of Chemotherapy and two weeks of the steroid tablet my leg swelling started to reduce. Approximately two weeks after the first Chemotherapy session I developed Flu like symptoms with raised temperature and was admitted to the BMI Priory for further investigation.

During my stay at the Priory which was 4 nights the treatment I received was various blood tests and a intravenous antibiotics. Because of the infection and the admission to the Priory the 2nd Chemotherapy session was delayed for one week after which I continued through the other 5 session without any repeat of the infection until completion of the Chemotherapy on the 8th September 2011.

Approximately six weeks after completion of the Chemotherapy a further PET scan taken to make an assessment of progress. I then went on to receive 15 sessions of Radiotherapy which was completed on the 13th December 2011.

During the period between the first visit to the Primary Care Unit on the 2nd May and the completion of radiotherapy on the 13th December Clexane injections were administered daily.

I am very grateful to all of the doctors, nurses and staff at the BMI Priory and for the way the treatment was administered.

For all the treatment I received at the Priory I would consider it as being 1st class and highly recommended.

I have managed to go back to full time work now and till now part time during treatment period.

Mr D.L