emergingbutterfly
New Member
Firstly the cab was late as they have no record of the booking.
When I got to the hospital I was met my Simon from the Imperial College (part of Charing Cross Hospital) as I had agreed to help him with some research by giving some samples (a whole other story). He took my upstairs to the admissions and the nurse met me to say that she was waiting for me as I was first on the list (how jammy was that!!!) I was taken into a room where they went through my history, checked my BP and BS and then the surgeon came to say hi and asked me was I nervous. I said I hoped he had not been drinking and he reassured me that he hadn’t drank much (reassuring hey!). Then I changed and waited for about two mins and was taken upstairs. I barely had time to go to the loo. Upstairs I walked into a little room where they got the anaesthetic ready. I got a bit nervous as I was being attached to all sorts of machines and that was when they put the compression pads (like big blood pressure cuffs) on my legs. They also put four tubes in my arm and two in the back of my hand. The main guy (Dr Cousins) came in and we had a brief chat about me dreaming of Colin Farrell and then the needle went it. The last thing I remember was it was 8.27 am.
Next thing I knew it was 10.30 and someone or something pushed/pulled me up from behind and told me to breathe. I felt so sick, it was the worst half hour of my life. The sickness was unreal and I really couldn’t breathe. All I could say was that I was sick, I was told I had an anti sickness injection and morphine and now I was been given insulin. I got very distressed at this stage as, although I am a diabetic I have never had insulin before and I was trying to tell her this but wasn’t really able to talk. The sickness didn’t ease for at least half an hour and all the time they kept a cardboard pan in front of me in case I was. I found it very very hard to breathe and I thought I was going to die. To be honest at that stage I really didn’t care. Eventually they got my breathing enough to stop the machine flashing and beeping and I was left to breath on my own, although all this time I had the oxygen mask on me as well.
During this recovery period the surgeon popped his head over (he was still wearing his surgery cap) and told me I had the bypass and everything went well but my liver was very big. I was able to speak at that stage but was disappointed that my liver hadn’t shrunk enough as I had stuck to my pre-op diet 100%.
After a while I was wheeled back to a ward and passed my parents in the waiting room. I was very pleased to see him and I’m guessing they must have been pleased to see me at that stage. It was about 12.15 when I came back to the ward (not sure where the hour between 11.15 and 12.15 went!) .
I stayed awake most of the day and was able to chat a little. I got very excited when the nurse brought my lollipops. In my drug like state I really thought they were special lollipops for me to suck to keep my mouth from getting dry. When I picked one up I realised it was a dry piece of foam sponge on a lollipop stick that I could stick in water to wet my lips. I almost cried. The last time I felt that much disappointment was when I was little and was told father Christmas doesn’t exist!!!
The surgeon came to see me twice again that day. The first time he told me was liver was very big during the op and when I said I had stuck to the pre-op he said it was a good job I did as it would have been a lot worse it I hadn’t and I just had a fat liver!!! ( no surprise there). Later I noticed I didn’t have a drain and was wondering how he would know if there was a leak. When I questioned him that night as to why I had no drain he merely asked me “would you like a drain?” Needless to say I said no. He said that as I had been to the loo and was walking around a little and looked as good as I did, he wasn’t worried. He also said that I could then start taking fluids. I was gearing myself up for tea and soup etc but he told me I could have any fluid as long as it was water (smart ass!)
I didn’t sleep well that night but it wasn’t because of pain or soreness it was just a different surroundings and because I was plugged into the drip and also had my legs plugged into the compression pads I had to call someone everytime I went to the toilet.
The staff were very very good and checked my BP, Pulse, Sugar Levels and breathing every four hours. I actually enjoyed being in hospital and would have easily stayed longer if they suggested it. The compression pads on my legs were like a strong man giving me a massage (well at least that was what I liked to think of whilst lying there)
I wont bore you anymore except to say I am amazed at how quickly I felt ok afterwards. I am getting better every day. I had little or no pain but had and still have a little soreness around my wounds (five wounds with four staples in each). I was able to have a shower the following day which involved washing my hair and having a shower from the waist down to keep my bandages dry. Each day I do a bit more walking and although I am still very tired I feel amazing.
As for food, I really don’t miss it at the moment but I am aware it is early days. I am trying to get my protein shakes into me and it is hard, but I am doing ok.
Sorry this post is so long but I just wanted to share my op experience and thanks again for your support.
Wish you a speedy and healthy recovery and look forward to hearing more about your journey
:sigh2:
