A man who was born on the same day the NHS was established has spoken of a lifetime of compassion and care.
John Goy, who was born on July 5, 1948, will celebrate his 75th birthday on Wednesday alongside the NHS, an organization he credits with saving his life twice.
Mr. Goy received a Crohn's disease diagnosis in his early 20s. He had a life-threatening seizure two years ago.
He declared: "I wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for the NHS. Thank you, that's all I have to say. ".
Mr. Goy, who was born in Scunthorpe, recalled having his first encounter with the NHS when he was four years old.
He told the BBC, "They had steel mudguards when I was run over by a cycle. "I was looking at the mudguard when I started bleeding horribly. I was a pig stuck in a hole!".
He was taken to the Scunthorpe Hospital by his older brother, where he received four stitches.
The nurses were wearing hats, Mr. Goy recalled. "All of their aprons were stiff and starched. Everything had to be completed in a specific manner. It was rigid. ".
At the age of 23, Mr. Goy developed severe illness, but despite spending weeks in the hospital, local medical professionals were unable to determine the cause.
I began to experience really savage pains, he claimed. The following day, I was admitted to Scunthorpe Hospital. I underwent a number of tests, including X-rays. ".
Mr. Goy recalled a doctor visiting him in bed and informing him that they did not know what was wrong with him and that he would be taken to Leeds General Infirmary (LGI).
He was assured that "the best colorectal surgeon in Europe" would take care of him and ascertain his condition.
The young Mr. Goy was aware of how serious the situation was.
"Well, it was curtains if he couldn't figure out what was wrong," he said.
Mr. Goy claimed to have shed a significant amount of weight.
My parents, family, and all of my friends "thought I was a goner" when I was about 5st 7lbs (35kg), he said. I didn't have Crohn's disease until they opened me up, they said. If it weren't for the NHS, I wouldn't be sitting here right now. I had the operation, and they saved my life. ".
Chronic digestive system inflammation is a lifelong symptom of Crohn's disease.
Mr. Goy remembered numerous visits to LGI for medical care. He praised the NHS staff for their unwavering dedication.
"One of the surgeons came to see me while wearing a tuxedo, and when I asked him where he had been, he replied, "I've come from a dinner party. What a level of commitment. ".
Mr. Goy experienced a seizure in 2021, and the NHS once more assisted him.
"The NHS has twice saved my life," he said. " .
Even though he has witnessed "huge changes" over the years, Mr. Goy, who continues to receive routine checkups at both his GP office and Scunthorpe General Hospital, said some things have remained the same.
Over the past 75 years, the care has unquestionably not changed at all, he claimed. "With the development of endoscopy, MRI scans, and CT scans, technology has advanced significantly. You didn't have anything similar in the past. With what they had, they had to get by. ".
He has a message for those who work for the NHS: "I wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for the NHS. Thank you, that's all I have to say. "Happy 75th birthday, and here's to another 75."
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