Tag: Hepatology

G is for Gastroscopy


A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with NAFLD, or Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, to give its full name. Or, to put it another way,  Cirrhosis of the liver.

Over the last couple of years, I have been prodded and poked as part of the monitoring process. As  yet, I am not on any medication, but I do get regular lectures about my diet and my lack of exercise.

My Hepatology consultant has wanted to carry out biopsies to prove her diagnosis, but I have resisted. I really don’t fancy the idea of someone pushing a needle into my side.So far she has had to make do with me having regular Fibroscans, blood tests and the occasional gastroscopy.

And so it was, last Tuesday, after two years had elapsed, it was decided that it was time for me to undergo another gastroscopy.

I vaguely recalled that the previous procedure wasn’t actually as unpleasant as everyone had told me. So, when I presented myself at reception in the Queen Alexandra Hospital Endoscopy Department, I was fairly relaxed.

On arrival, I was asked to complete a two page questionnaire regarding my medical history. Given the number of times that I have provided this information, over the last  few weeks, I question the need.

After all, my height and weight are still unchanged, I  still wear glasses, and no, I still don’t have any metalwork inside my body. The drugs I take on a daily basis are also unchanged. You would think, in this technological age, that they could print out my record and get me to confirm that nothing had changed. It would save bit of time.

Anyhow, questionnaire duly completed, it was time for me to head round to where the procedure was due to be carried out. I followed the nurse, like a dutiful hound called to heel. But first, we made a detour into a small office space where the nurse talked me through the questionnaire and I pretty much had to answer all the questions….. Again!!! We could have done the form filling and verbal confirmation all at one go. The only difference was that the nurse decided that I needed to provide a blood sample for my blood sugar,

Oh and I had to sign a consent form and in return I was given a standard hospital bracelet.

And then we walked round to the theatre. Where, once again, I was interrogated. Name, rank, serial number.

Then it was down to business. Sit on the table. Lay back. Open your mouth and hold your breath while we spray this stuff, Xylocaine, to the back of your throat. I had been warned that the spray tasted of rotten bananas. Perhaps not quite that bad, but more like overripe bananas. The spray is required to reduce/stop the natural gag reflex when the endoscope is inserted.

As requested, I rolled over on to my left side. And then the doctor was there with endoscope in hand.

He suggested that I might want to close my eyes as he began his hunt for varices.

But I didn’t want to miss the tv show. Unlike two years ago, I had a screen to look at. Full HD, I reckon. So I watched as the camera began its journey down my throat. The doctor was giving a full running commentary as the camera travelled down. It’s a bit like a train journey where the name of the next destination is announced.

Soon we were in my stomach which, much to my surprise, was empty apart from some fluids. In my head I envisaged the doctor, wearing a miners head lamp and wellies, sploshing around in my gastric juices. Strangely, I could feel the endoscope moving moving under my hand, which was laying on my belly, as the doctor had a good look around. So the gastric train reached the terminus and then began the return journey. Like any good tourist, the doctor paused the extraction to take a couple of photos.

And then we were done. Endoscope extracted and the doctor was saying that all was clear. In medispeak “No endoscopic signs of portal hypertension”, no varices.

After a few minutes I was taken to a discharge waiting room while the doctor was writing up his report. A nurse appeared and presented me with an “After gastroscopy care leaflet” Nothing to eat or drink for an hour. This is to allow the effects of the throat anaesthetic to wear off. Too soon and I could choke. After an hour, just small sips of water and if OK gently increase intake back to normal.

I was also given a copy of the doctors report and informed that I would be called in for a repeat performance in three years. And so I was formally discharged and allowed to go home.

Obviously I am very pleased that nothing sinister was seen and perhaps slightly less pleased at the thought of doing this again. But I am glad that they are continuing to monitor for the adverse symptoms of NAFLD.

Other Medical Matters


Although the tumour in my colon is trying to hog the limelight we have found time to deal with other medical matters.

Gerry’s Clinic Appointment

First up my wife had an appointment at St Mary’s Community Health Campus in Portsmouth. The appointment was made back in December and was scheduled for 13:00 20th February. We arrived twenty minutes early. As per our last visit there was no one in reception.

Reception @ St Mary’s – Unmanned @ 13:15 Thursday 20/2/2025

So nobody to register the fact that we have arrived or to inform the clinician.

While sitting twiddling our thumbs I was reading the various notices one of which caught my eye. It was directed at deaf patients, advising them to go to reception who would advise the clinician of their presence as they may not hear their name being called. Brilliant, if there had been a receptionist.

This lack of receptionist became an issue for us as we still had not been called by 13:20. So I can’t speak to anyone and having wandered around to see if our clinician was present I decided to phone the hospital.

Amazingly, someone answered the phone almost immediately. I explained our situation. Her first comment was that all appointments had been cancelled. Of course I challenged this, asking when and how patients had been informed.

In the meantime she is sifting through my wifes notes from her last appointment. Informing me that there was nothing about a follow-up appointment, no record on the system, no indication that a notification had been sent out.

We were able to tell her that the clinician had, at the last appointment, written the appointment details on the original invitation letter.

We were promised that an incident was being raised and that we would be contacted to discuss it further

The net of this was that we had had a wasted journey, 14 mile round trip, as well as having to pay for parking.

Fibroscan

Later this same day I had a totally different experience. At short notice I was invited to attend the Hepatology Department for a Fibroscan. I have these every six months or so since I was diagnosed with NAFLD (Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease).

If you have never had one of these it is probably simplest of scans. It is a form of ultrasound and the sensation for the patient is that it feels like someone has flicked you on your side.

So, just before 16:00, I presented myself at the department reception. Yes it was manned!! Hardly had my bum hit the seat in the waiting area than I was called through to the treatment room. A few minutes later, after being scanned, I was on my way out of the hospital.

Gerry’s Clinic Appointment – Follow Up

The following day we received a call from the clinic supervisor. She was very apologetic and put our experience down to human error. Nothing like stating the obvious but they were doing something, and quickly.

So we have a new appointment set for next week.

We also discussed the lack of receptionist. Obviously the receptionist is entitled to a lunch break but there should be some form of cover. Especially when there are active clinics underway. If no receptionist then there should be some better signage giving useful information like telephone numbers to be called.

If I didn’t have a smart phone with access to the internet I would have been stuffed.