Is this ok from the hospital?

[Freetodowhatiwant]

I’m in hospital after having my appendix out, after having terrible pains yesterday and suspecting (then confirmed by scan) appendicitis.

I stayed in last night and had my operation under GA this morning. I feel ok, sometimes quite groggy and a bit dizzy and nauseous if I move too much and I’ve been in and out of sleep. Pain isn’t actually so bad, three incisions but I’m having to be quite still as it hurts when I move around.

I’m in my local hospital which is very big. The nurses who are here are really lovely but I’m wondering if this is usual hospital behaviour:

They had no standard beds, as is often the case I realise, so I’m in the day care beds, alongside three other people. It’s fine, feels like a normal ward, I’m comfortable etc and the nurses are right outside the door in reception. but it’s now almost 8pm and I haven’t yet seen a doctor after the operation. I would really like to ask someone how it went but the nurses don’t know. Prior to the op they said they would tell me how bad the appendicitis had been and I have had operations before when a doctor will have a chat with you after the op at some point. I realise doctors are busy and rounds often don’t happen until late.

No one has brought me any painkillers for many hours and my cannula is still attached to a drip that emptied several hours ago (antibiotics). I’m not actually in that much pain otherwise I would be hassling someone for some pain relief! But it feels a bit strange.

Obviously I hadn’t had anything to eat for many hours before the operation. When I said I was hungry about 4pm as nothing had been offered since I was out of recovery at midday a nurse brought me some biscuits. I don’t fancy eating much which is good I guess but before the biscuits had felt a bit weak as I hadn’t eaten since the day before. And DH brought me some snacks too when he visited earlier so I’m not going to go hungry. I managed a couple of biscuits which gave me a bit more energy. But it’s way beyond dinner time and nothing has yet been offered.

When I asked a nurse earlier about taking the long-empty drip out of the cannula says said yes but she was currently doing the round of painkillers. This was a couple of hours ago now and as I said previously no painkillers have come my way.

The nurses have all been lovely, I have to say, but is this a bit odd for post op procedure or am I being neglected...? I’m not annoyed, just curious. I know they’re bound to be busy.

Thanks @letsdolunch I think I will buzz them to see if I can get up and have a wee now.

No the paper towel won't go in your notes, I hope, I didn't know they still used this method, everywhere I've worked has I.pads now that automatically record your jobs and score them. I hope you feel better, are you drinking plenty, you n3ed fluids to help you wee and if you've been nil by mouth you can get a bit dehydrated. Did they leave you with a post op leaflet about what to do. It doesn't sound great post op care, I'd be writing it down and speaking to the ward sister if there is one tomorrow. Has anyone been to check your wound.

Oh no op! Sounds dreadful. I've been there and it is quite frightening because it makes you question if you are in safe hands at all doesn't it. I would just get on that buzzer whatever you need. After I had my first I was in for three days and the aftercare was terrible, in the end I said I NEED to go home and they sorted it, I've never been so happy to come home I tell you! Also, about you not seeing thy surgeon, you may get woken up during the night by him, that's what happened to me after an operation once, I was fast asleep in the dead of night!

Glad you have painkillers

I have painkillers AND I’ve been for a wee so things are looking up.

Thanks for the advice about the dehydration @Holey. Actually when I went to the loo I had to summon over the nurse as my wee was so dark I worried it had blood in it! She said it was orange not red so hopefully she’s right. Will drink as much as possible.

To add to my hospital experience there’s two policemen sitting outside the ward next door. Apparently someone in there they have to guard!

@bobster wow about the surgeon coming in in the middle of the night! I hope not, I’m worried enough about the prisoner who’s clearly in the room next door!

No @holey, no one has checked the wounds yet.

I called the buzzer again earlier (they must hate me now) to ask if one of my two cannulas could be taken off as I think the second one only went on for the operation itself. The nurse said yes but I think she has forgotten.

Hope you feel better soon OP.

Thanks Molly! Hope to get out of hospital today but will see how it goes.

Did a doctor come round to see you this morning? Hope you got some sleep.

How are you Free, can you go home now youve had tea and a wee, as we used to say. Hope your feeling good today and managed to get some sleep.

Sounds normal to me, in fact it doesn’t sound too bad in comparison to some places. The nhs is a complete race to the bottom in terms of aftercare. 24 hours after a c section I had a nurse tell me I had to move bays and I needed to get out of bed and lift my heavy bags onto the bed so they could wheel the bed round to the new bay. I said I couldn’t manage it, and she said “well you’ll have to have a go, the porter won’t do it because of health and safety”. I was so drugged up on morphing I just did it (the subsequent pain finally subsided about 2 years later).

I hope they helped you, it’s so awful the lack of post op care on some wards, and depressing that we accept such low expectations.

How are you @Freetodowhatiwant ?

Hoping you’re in the comfort of your own home now?

Sorry for disappearing and thanks for your message. Yes I am out. I saw a doctor for literally 2 minutes and she said I could go. Once again, very nice but no time to stop I guess. No advice on what I should do except see my GP within 4-7 days. I'm a bit tender and, weirdly, feeling a bit of a low mood and obviously I can look ip online what is the best way to recover from the op but it does worry me that others who don't have that access/are less connected might not have any info at all!

Your post CS care sounds awful Marscapone. I had 2 CS and the aftercare was actually pretty good but then by that point, after having had miscarriage treatment with the head of gynaecology, I was already well known to their senior consultant and now I am wondering in retrospect did that had an influence on my treatment?

Pain wise it feels like about 50% of what I felt post CS, which is still quite significant when I think about it. More than I expected. Am taking it easy and watching a film for the afternoon with the 3yo before we go pick up the 6yo from school. Luckily everything is a short walk away.

So glad you are okay, Free. It's not uncommon to experience low mood after a GA. Do see your GP because they can prescribe you some better pain meds for a few days.

Glad you’re home but disappointed you haven’t had a sufficient handover and advice for recovery. No matter how busy the doctors are, that’s essential information. Looking online is helpful sometimes, but it isn’t a substitute and you shouldn’t have to do that following fairly major surgery.

Agree with pp that low mood can be an affect of the GA, and no doubt your lack of aftercare has made you feel worried and low too. Just be really gentle and kind to yourself. As much rest as a 3 and 6 y/o will allow while you’re healing. Hope you’re feeling much better soon

I was a student nurse for a year. Don't feel bad about asking for something! It's what nurses are there for.