Mr Paul Thiruchelvam

Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

Recently I underwent a two stage LICAP procedure on right breast : a wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy followed by a LICAP FLAP reconstruction. After diagnosis it was difficult to process what was happening, stay sane and coherent. On my 2nd appointment I was seen by Mr Paul Thiruchelvam, it proved to be the beginning of a journey in which, I can now claim, the stars above shone. I recovered very well and though at first I had to contend with the mental barrier to go through a 2nd intervention, I had by then built up much confidence and trust in my surgeon - all along he told it as it is so it was easier to accept. On the day of surgery I was first on the list and saw Mr Thiruchelvam soon after 7.30 am - some time in the afternoon a message came from him for me to start doing some gentle arm exercises. I had a planned overnight hospital stay. His visit to the ward, after what I understood was a longer than expected theatre work, was around 8 pm. His words of pos op assessment were most reassuring and I felt very happy to hear it. At 11 pm he came to the ward with a colleague to see another patient and took the opportunity to see me again and that felt special. I recovered equally well from 2nd surgery - I’m most proud of the aesthetic results achieved - my figure is back to what it was on recent carefree days, The scar is healing very well, I’m hardly aware of it - I can imagine it fading soon .... It is an amazing feat that I was never in pain or discomfort, never felt the need for pain killers. One is fortunate indeed to benefit from advances in sciences, skilled practitioners but above all to encounter those in medicine who practise it with humanity - they’re the starts. I’ve had the best treatment under the NHS and I’m immensely grateful to Mr Thiruchelvam and his team for the care shown to me - it never crossed my mind that I was at any disadvantage because of my advanced age!

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Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

This man has exceeded anything I could have expected. I was diagnosed with cancer in the left breast on 20th May. Paul Thiruchelvam delivered the news in a direct, but kind and compassionate way. He told me that because I had dense complex breasts, he was ordering a MRI to be carried out. This showed some area of suspicion in the right breast which had not shown on any previous scans. After a biopsy, breast cancer was diagnosed in the right breast also. After a bone scan, CT scan and pelvic scan, I was admitted for surgery on 8th July where Paul and his colleague Daniel Leff operated on me to perform a bilateral lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy and bilateral mammoplasty. On the day of the surgery, Paul came around early in the morning to check I was ok and to answer any last questions. I saw him then once again before surgery in the afternoon, where he meticulously worked out exactly how everything was going to be to achieve the best possible end result. He was professional, but relaxed which made me feel calm before the surgery. My surgery was late in the day / evening and both Paul and his colleague Daniel Leff, came to visit me in the ward that evening after surgery, and Paul returned again the next morning where I was pleased to hear I could go home that day. It was a VERY long day for him. I have had one more follow up consultation with Paul who checked up on my progress post op and delivered the pathology results. His emphatic, knowledgable and professional manner has continued throughout, he goes the extra mile, and really cares. This journey continues to be a bumpy one, but I am eternally grateful to this man for driving it for me in such a way as to make it less scary and daunting, and leaving no stone unturned. If he had not called for the MRI, it would have undoubtably have been a whole different scenario. I am very happy with my new breasts, and thankful that he is a perfectionist in the aesthetic also, which is very important to me as a woman. Paul is an excellent surgeon and an exceptional human being, and the NHS trust should be mindful of holding on to him. I could not have received better support and care, and cannot recommend him highly enough. I consider myself fortunate to have been under the care of Paul. Thanks also to Daniel Leff, and the breast services team at Charing Cross who are all amazing. RP

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Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

Sincere thanks to Mr Paul Thiruchelvam for his excellent care. I have been immensely impressed by, and grateful for, his expertise and skill. As soon as he found out I had a malignancy, he arranged for me to be operated on immediately - something which I will always be thankful for. In addition to the highest level of medical care, he also used his great skill to ensure an excellent cosmetic result. I count myself extremely fortunate to have been treated by him.

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Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

The care I received was excellent. I particularly appreciated (the prompt) very clear and helpful appointment with Mr Thiruchelvam following my recent mastectomy, lymph node biopsy and reconstruction. Also, I particularly liked that follow up monitoring was discussed at this appointment and I now already have an appointment for a mammogram and follow up appointment with Mr Thiruchelvam for 12 months time. This is very reassuring for me and gives me confidence going forward and I feel like all aspects of patient concerns are very well understood. Just to add, the treatment I have received from Charing Cross Breast Services and the Plastic surgery team as a whole have been excellent.

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Listening

Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

I was treated as a thinking human being which in turn took my panic away and helped me to listen to what he was telling me. He also was very serious about how to approach the incision in my breast taking great care to do the best possible job. I was very impressed by his work . I can't recommend him enough!

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