Jenny started to experience backache in February 2006. By mid-February pain had progressed down the left leg. Jenny's GP prescribed pain killers, and send her for physiotherapy and X-rays.

Pain got worse. In May Jenny was sent for a MRI scan, which showed a prolapsed disc, and was then referred to a neurosurgeon in Oxford. Originally she was told that there was a 12-13 weeks waiting list to see the consultant... but after her husband phoned the GP, she got an appointment 3 weeks later.

In June, the neurosurgeon confirmed the diagnosis and recommended surgery. As her case was not considered urgent, although she was in a lot of pain, Jenny was put on cancellation waiting list and told that there was a 6 months waiting list.

At the time, Jenny started to investigate her options. She received quotes for private surgery ranging up to £ 4750. Paul Delbaere of Elective Surgery Europe made her a competitive offer and gave her very clear instructions over telephone and internet as to how to proceed.

Less than three weeks later, Jenny and her husband drove with their camper to Ghent on a Sunday. They were welcomed by Isabelle, one of ESE's EPALs, who helped Jenny with admission. Isabelle gave Jenny and her husband her mobile and home phone number, and told her she could be contacted 24/7.

On Monday, Dr. Luc De Waele came to see Jenny before surgery to make sure she was happy with everything. A lumbar microdiscectomy was performed around 4:00 pm. Jenny was returned to the ward around 7:30 pm, where Isabelle was waiting to make sure evrything was OK.

After the operation Jenny had to stay in bed for 24 hours. On Tuesday she had NO PAIN in her leg anymore... On Wednesday she was allowed out of bed (see picture). She recovered so well that she was allowed to leave the hospital on Thursday afternoon, back to the camper and her husband.

On Friday Jenny and her husband went a bus into Ghent for lunch and a short sightseeing. Jenny was able to walk with no leg pain... Jenny and her husband drove back home on Saturday with the camper.