I went on another solo trip last week, over to glorious Ghent for a very important reason.
I am a Patient Partner for the European Association of Endoscopic Surgeons’ Guidelines Committee, and Ghent was the winter meeting.
It’s something that gives me a huge sense of achievement and satisfaction.
I took an unpleasant experience, and changed the anchor from a painful one, to a positive powerful one.
My cancer (age 36), Sam’s cancer (age 13), my dad’s cancer, my family and friend’s cancers made a huge and devastating impact on my life, and took away my sense of peace and comfort.
It robbed me of many things, but I refuse to let it dictate how I live the rest of my life on this planet.
I want to make this fabulous extra time I was given count, and I have done many and various charity works to that end.
But when I discovered I could use my personal experiences to help make future patients’ lives better, well, that was it for me, that is where I invest a lot of my time and energy.
Yes, I still volunteer at the Foodbank, I love the feeling of helping people. It lightens my mood and makes me feel like I deserve to be here when others far better than me are not.
But being part of the EAES community makes me feel very happy, and extremely proud.
I am lucky to be in a privileged position of being very time rich, I appreciate that isn’t the case for a lot of people. I’m very grateful that Chris not only supports me in this endeavour, but actively encourages me to continue my journey of paying it forward.
My role on the committee is two fold, I attend the guideline meetings, to give my first hand patient experience to the collection of surgeons present at the meetings.
But also, part of my role (both parts are volunteer positions) is to find other former patients who can come along and give their own lived experiences too.
This year’s meetings are taking place in Athens.
We have one in February, which is looking at the guidelines for a particular bowel cancer operation, and one in May which is pertaining to gallbladder treatment and management.
Please keep your eye out on my socials for next year’s topics. I’d love for you to be a part of these projects too.
I passionately believe that most people will get as much out of them as I do.
A brief description of Patient Partnering for EAES;
Every surgery performed has a specific set of guidelines for the surgeon to adhere to.
The Guideline Committee picks a particular surgical procedure subject, they then review the procedure and discusses if there is a better way to perform it or not.
Discussions take place in a panel session.
The surgeons give their opinions.
The patient representative take in all the information, and then votes take place by the whole group on what is the best course of action.
It’s incredibly important work.
It’s infinitely fascinating.
I would highly recommend getting involved with Patient Partnering/Patient Perspective projects.
You could make a difference. Imagine how fulfilling that would be. Imagine taking the worst time of your life and making something better for others in the future.
If you follow the link below, you will find more information about what it is we do. And if you scroll to the bottom of that link you will find little ole me! :)
Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions or queries regarding the committee’s role. Happy to answer any questions.
This is open to anyone who has the time to spare attending a meeting in Greece. Usually two nighters. Expenses are paid, including flights, hotel accommodation and meals, and a delightful social program is offered too. Honestly, it’s a fabulous way to spend your time and use your lived experience.
We look for people from all over Europe to join us, participants from smaller European countries are greatly encouraged to get involved.
As long as you have a good understanding of the English language everyone is welcome (as the meetings are conducted in English).
Next year’s subjects haven’t been chosen yet but as soon as they are I will be looking for people to join us.
Ghent was the Symposium on;
Innovation in Surgery for the EAES.
As the surgeons on the guidelines committee would be gathered there to attend the conference, it made sense to hold our committee meeting then too.
So off I went on Eurostar (okay, so you might remember I avowed never to use trains in Europe again after the Maastricht journey. Eleven hours of travel, five trains, five countries, all by myself in chaotic scenes. But that was last June, and I am fully recovered from the shock of it. And besides, you can’t fly directly to Ghent so trains it is).
This time it was a very pleasant experience, it went smoothly and enjoyably.
I was very pleased with myself that I managed to get to Brussels (pretty easy as it’s one train from London), I then changed at Brussels and got the train to Ghent, easy peasy! Good job Suzy!
I got off in Ghent and ordered my first ever Uber - again, well done me (I appreciate I’m only doing what thousands, millions have done before me, but they are mile stones for me).
I arrived at the hotel, told the receptionist my name, and she said “Oh I’m terribly sorry Mrs Doré but your reservation has been cancelled”
🫣
“Errrrrrrm, sorry, what now? Exqueeeze me?”
As surprised as I was, I wasn’t shocked as such, because everything had gone far too smoothly, so I felt I was probably due a small fly in the ointment. Hahah
The receptionist was so kind and helpful, she reassured me that she would find some where else to go.
She came back to say there was a room at a local hotel, and it was just a ten minute walk away.
Which I explained is great, but I don’t know Ghent at all never having been here before. She said it wasn’t far but she’d get a cab to take me.
The driver came into the reception, spoke to the receptionist, and then showed me to the car, he then asked “where to?”.
To which I didn’t have an answer because I was in such a tizzy I hadn’t take the information in. So he hopped out and went in again to ask.
Anyway, on the drive the man was chatting to me about how my journey had been and if it I’d ever been to Ghent before.
I replied that I was my first time and he said;
“Oh, it’s just like Leeds”
To which I replied “sorry? What?”
He said “Leeds! Leeds!”
I was so confused by this, and assumed I’d made some sort of error of translation.
“I’m really sorry but I’m not sure what you mean?”
He was getting a little indignant at this point, because he knew he was saying it perfectly clearly;
“It’s just like LEEDS! L - E - E - D - S!!! In the uk!”
*Yes, that’s what I thought you said but my brain wasn’t making the connection between the two cities in question. No offence to Leeds, United Kingdom, but firstly, I’ve never heard it referred to favourably before, and never ever in comparison to the city of Ghent!
I didn’t say that bit out loud, I think I did say something along the line of “ohoeyvfuvdvdgah” as I struggled to make any meaningful words, while my brain tried its hardest to a, not laugh, and b, not to shout “what the fuck are you on about!!?”
It really has tickled my fancy, I have since googled Leeds to see if it’s twinned with Ghent.
…If you are wondering who Leeds is twinned with it’s Stadt Dortmund, Germany.
I had a look on Trip Advisor for things to do in Leeds, it does have a few nice looking museums and parks if you fancy a trip. But Ghent probably wins for historic buildings and the delightful canals.
He dropped me off at the new hotel, which was a beautiful converted monastery, complete with breakfast room in the chapel!
I have never stayed in such a beautiful and serene setting before. I have stayed at a beautiful converted prison in Oxford, I live in a converted Victorian school, but never a monastery, I was hoping I wouldn’t burst into flames…😈
Ghent, like Leeds, is a beautiful city. :)
I really enjoyed sightseeing, on the first day I had a quick look around, and to get my bearings, with Maria, a fellow committee member.
The rest of the time I sight-saw (is that a word, probably not, but when has that ever stopped me?) by myself.
I’m pretty lucky that I am self contained, I don’t mind my own company, but whilst sightseeing I do enjoy company, not that I need babysitting or anything…supervision maybe, but not babysitting hahahah.
It’s just nicer to see something nice and turn to someone and say “that’s nice innit”.
That said, I was perfectly happy wandering around on my own, I just couldn’t share the “it’s nice” bit with anyone.
The meeting I was attending took place in the late afternoon, it was really good to see everyone again. They are such a fantastic team, so warm and welcoming, and more importantly completely supportive of a muggle in their midst.
It was a very productive session. And then it was time to head out to dinner with all of the attendees.
My travel outfit:
Top from Ralph Lauren, Trousers from M&S, Shoes from Dior, Bag from Goyard.
Then night time outfit…
The only other problem with solo travel is knowing what to wear and how to wear it, so I sent a message on WhatsApp to my family at home to decide whether to tuck in or out the jumper…I know, my life is full of challenges like this!! Hahahah
There wasn’t a full length mirror either, so that didn’t help.
Tucked out was decided on. And off I went to meet the others for dinner.
I have met some incredible people whilst I’ve been in this role, some have gone on to become friends.
I am in awe of anyone who dedicates their life to medicine. It truly is a vocation, because it certainly ain’t for the money, convenience or glamour.
I hadn’t taken on board the sacrifices a lot of surgeons have to make. They are impressive people.
The NHS might let you down at times through imperfect management and nonsensical waste, but the surgeons, doctors, nurses…the care staff in general, they are every day heroes, we should be protecting them at all costs.
We have free at the point of use healthcare and that is a precious thing.
I had a really enjoyable evening, met some lovely people.
When it was time to leave to head back to the hotels I inadvertently followed the wrong group. One was heading back to the hotels, one was heading out for drinks at a bar.
I realised too late, and the hotel group had gone. I’m not one for late nights, so I bid my farewells to the bar group and headed back to the hotel. At midnight, in a city I’ve never been to before, in the dark, alone…like I said, I need supervision at times hahaha.
I wouldn’t walk around at that time of night in the town I live in, but I do seem to do it a lot in other cities. So far so good, not been murdered as yet, so fingers crossed that good fortune continues :)
The next day was great, my other meeting wasn’t until late afternoon again, so I had the day to explore.
I can confirm Ghent is a really lovely place.
Jumper from M&S & Bella Freud, Jeans from Topshop.
Welcome to lone travelling with me…
Hahahahahahahaha…unsurprisingly it’s just me in various locations around Ghent!
It’s a really very interesting place.
It has plenty to see, Churches, Castles, Canals and Cafes, what more could you ask for. I really enjoyed it, even in the rain.
Maria sent me a location pin for a cafe some of the group had gone to. I’m useless at map reading, so I asked some young people for directions to the cafe, they were just about to explain how to get there and said “oh it’s not far, it’ll be easier if we take you there”
And they did, dropped me to the door, and wished me a good day, I then saw them turn and walk back the way they came! How adorable was that!
I am now the age young people take pity on me and escort me to places, and to be completely honest, I’m very happy with that! 🥰
Time for a much needed rest and hot chocolate, I’d walked 12 thousand steps that day.
Then it was back to the hotel for the next meeting. Which I have to say was very interesting, and very very thinky. My head was spinning after digesting it all.
The others decided to head out for dinner at a restaurant famous for its ribs and beer, they invited me along, I was very happy for the invitation, but as I don’t partake in either meat or alcohol I bid them goodnight.
I popped to a supermarket bought leedamer, coleslaw and bread rolls and headed back to my room for dinner and a family FaceTime. It was absolutely heaven.
I am so proud to be a part of something so important, with a group of amazing people.
Ghent was an adventure! And there’s still more to come, with the two Greek meetings, and a conference in Serbia too, which is really exciting as I have been invited to speak about my Patient Involvement experience.
The next day it was up and back to Blighty, this time I was lucky to have some company as one of the UK surgeons was on the same Eurostar train to London.
So I very much appreciated Lisa letting me follow her back to Brussels. :)
Eurostar to London is so easy. It’s such a fabulous way to travel. A friend of mine is off to Switzerland by train from London soon, I really want to go on an adventure by train too, just not alone, preferably. :)
I arrived in London to a very happy husband, we are nauseating to be honest, we really really like each other, besottedly so.
We’ve been married 29 years on 14th February, and I can honestly say he is the best of me! He is my favourite person I have ever met, he has the patience of a saint as you can imagine.
I’m not sure how I got this lucky.
We headed back to the car, and then decided to stop at Westfield Stratford for a curry. It was then I got a second wind and suggested that rather than come back into town again the next evening as we had planned, that perhaps it would make sense to go to see the Winter Lights display at Canary Wharf now, so we did.
It was a bit of luck we decided to go on the Saturday night, instead of coming back as we had originally planned.
We saw the most incredible sunset, plus by the next day in was pouring down with rain again. I think we got lucky with the break in the weather.
Plus plus, by the next day I was completely and utterly exhausted.
I felt like a shell of myself. Hahaha. This old lady lost her sparkle for a minute, so we had a lie in, booked in for a Sunday roast at the pub we went to last week, then came home and watched movies under a blanket.
It was the perfect Sunday.
Sparkle reenergised by Monday morning and it was back to yoga, and then some very intense chilling with Gus and Percy, who had actually seemed to miss me and were waiting at the door for me when I got home. :)
Yoga outfit from Tesco, Jumper from DKNY.
It’s been a fabulous few weeks. And I’ve loved every single minute of it.
This blog was delayed in writing due to unforese….actually I won’t lie to you, I just couldn’t find the words to start it, which happens sometimes…and yes, I agree it is surprising because I usually don’t shut the **** up. I drive myself crazy with rambling on most of the time so god knows what it’s like for anyone else.
What else have I been wearing? (Seeing as this is a dressing with a stoma blog we’d better do that bit…)
Top and Trousers from Holland Cooper, Boots from Gucci.
We watched the new Cameron Diaz film, it was very entertaining, and while I watched it I realised I owned all the component parts to recreate one of the looks from the film.
Inspiration is all around us. She wore hers to escape hit men, I wore mine to visit Eltham Palace…
A very nice day it was too. Art deco architecture mixed with Henry Vlll’s favourite hunting lodge. It is absolutely stunning. Would recommend.
Plus some other days out too…
Top and Jeans from M&S, Poncho cardigan from Whistles, Shoes from Kate Spade.
Someone was being a lazy bitch and couldn’t be bothered to wash her hair, so hats were in, soap was out hahaha…I’m joking, I washed my body, just not my hair.
Top from Ralph Lauren, Jeans from M&S, Shoes from Ugg, Cap from Aimee Leon Dore.
Then yesterday I did something very unusual, I voluntarily went into the garden to do a bit of work on my own.
I’m not a natural gardener, but my chap is off sick at the moment and I’m scared the garden will over run me again. So I braved it and went out there, the sun was shining, like really really bright, it felt amazing to be honest, even if gardening was involved.
Hoodie from Hollister, Leggings from Juicy, spirit of determination all my own.
I was so enthused I even popped to a garden centre…and spent 69p on a packet of seeds, so as you can tell I really threw myself into it! Hahaha.
Chris and I are off to a meditation retreat at the weekend, we have decided to unhook from everything, including our phones.
They will be left at home.
I’m addicted to my phone, it’s very rarely out of my hands. I use it for everything, it does everything. Mostly for good, but the amount of time spent wasting time on it is criminal for me personally.
So we will be cold turkeying it and chilling out with a complete program of meditation and reflection.
And I can’t wait!
Feels weird knowing I won’t be instantly contactable, but I have let people know where we’ll be, and to call the hotel in case of emergency.
I wish you a very happy weekend! Xx
Much love, stay safe. X