I got a taxi at 8:20 this morning to the hospital for my COVID tests. It was about a 40 minute drive and it was just nice to relax and enjoy all the beautiful views. I got to the hospital and was met by my beautiful patient coordinator ‘Nana’ and she took me into the hospital to get registered.

Firstly they took my passport to register my details and then I went straight for the covid swab. I was expecting it to be a normal swab like in the UK as I have done about 6 of these now due to work, and only recently did one 4 days ago.

The clinician firstly swabbed my throat where I made a very sexy ahhhhh noise. Next was up my nose, first nostril was fine but oh my god I was not expecting the second. It went way past my nose and I’m pretty sure I could feel it in my throat or brain. It honestly was the worst nose swab I’ve done.

Next was onto my CT, I asked Nana if this was for covid and she explained it was to check my chest and lungs. CT scan took a few minutes and then I was on my way to get bloods.

Now if anyone knows me you will know I am absolutely petrified of needles and have a needle phobia, so before I sat down I was *trying* to practise deep breathing to calm myself down, didn’t work though 😂. The blood test only took a few minutes and bless her, Nana held my hand trying to help me. To be honest it wasn’t painful but it was just my phobia kicking in.

After that I had a call from the doctors secretary and she explained that I was on early on the list tomorrow for surgery so would be having my consultation with the surgeon today instead of on the day which for me was even better!!!

Now as I am sat in the hospital waiting for my driver, I just want to add that Turkeys response to covid is amazing compared to the UK. Every single person wears a mask even when outside and walking on their own! Hand sanitiser and disinfectant is a must and is everywhere and they do your temperature at the hospital before entering.

As I work in a UK hospital I was genuinely shocked that Turkey is ‘better’ than the UK. In my town I literally see no-one wearing masks when outside, only to enter shops so I am over the moon that this is the standard here.