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“I felt I was close to death but Dr Alex Gebreyes, see in the photo, fought for me and I’m still here to tell the tale,” said Paul, a patient at Kettering General Hospital (KGH).

 
On 22 January Paul was brought to KGH via ambulance after chest pains left him feeling like he was having a heart attack. 

He said: “I was anxious but the care in A&E was great.”

Paul was diagnosed with leukaemia and was admitted to Lilford Ward where he started chemotherapy. 

He said: “It was a shock but Dr Alex explained what was happening, and I realised I’ve got to have chemo to give me chance.

“You cannot underestimate the level of service I’ve had, the great care and dedication. Everything has happened so quickly, when I’ve needed treatment the referral to the team is done and someone appears. We couldn’t have had better service.”

Unfortunately, shortly after Paul started his treatment his condition deteriorated and he was moved to the Intensive Care Unit.

Dr Gebreyes added: “Paul was very unwell at presentation. I saw him immediately after his A&E blood was flagged up to me and he had all the hurricane of acute leukaemia. 

Thankfully he survived. Major credit to the excellent ITU team who supported me through his turbulence.”

Liz, Paul’s wife of 46 years, was by his side, as she has been for his entire hospital experience. 

She said: “Paul doesn’t remember anything of those two weeks but the staff were wonderful from the cleaners to the consultants. You know the staff are busy but they give you time, you never feel they’re rushing you. They give you the chance to talk and ask questions.”

Paul, who has just started his next round of chemotherapy, has been cared for in our emergency department, Clifford Ward, Lilford Ward and also a virtual ward – where equipment and care is provided at home. 

He said: “I’ve always felt the staff have had empathy, which helps my state of mind. They are always able to reduce my anxiety with the compassion they show, and my wife has been able to stay with me all the time.”