I got to the hospital at 7.15am on Thursday and went straight to the ward. They showed me to my room and I got all settled in. Then there was the round of admission paperwork, visits from doctors, physiotherapist, phlebotomist. When that was all done, I went to sleep. They woke me up about 12.15 so I could change for theatre. My Breast Care Nurse popped in to see me and give me my softie. While she was there my surgeon came in. She asked if I had any questions. I said no but I did have a request. Would she please make sure she gave me a matching smiley scar. She laughed and said "No pressure then."
Then the anaesthetist came by. Ooo la la. Dishy. Half Italian. Sigh.
Then it was up to theatre. Horror of horrors! They no longer push you along in your bed to theatre. I had to walk. Behind my (empty) bed!! I was allowed back in the bed when we reached the theatre waiting area. My surgeon popped out to see me again. Then the assistant anaesthetist came out. Ooo la la. Also dishy. Zimbabwean. Sigh.
Then into the anaesthesia room. We had a good chat while they got everything ready. They went to put the cannula in and I said "Are you sure it shouldn't go in the opposite side to the one that's being operated on?" A good laugh was had and they moved to the other side. Dishy Anaesthetist gave me an injection through the cannula and talked about me going to a beautiful place. I kept looking at him. Said "I'm still here." He said "Guess I need to give you something stronger." A second injection and I was away withing seconds.
I vaguely remember coming around briefly in Recovery. Next thing I knew I was back in my room and the nurse asked if I had pain. I said I did so she gave me some oramorph. Well, let me tell you, I was off my face for the evening. A friend came by and I was in and out of it. The nurse brought me some tea and toast with jam. I'd fall asleep chewing. My friend left and the nurse asked if I wanted more to eat. I got a lovely bowl of chicken soup, more toast and tea. Nearly went nose first into the soup a couple of times but eventually finished it all.
I then slept until they woke me up around 10.00. They were quite worried because my blood pressure was very low. They called in the on call surgeon. He ordered a blood test and a saline push. Bloods were fine and the saline was helping. Lowest reading was something like 65/43 but when it got back up to 88/57 around 2.00am they decided to let me sleep. They did the next obs at 6.00am and BP still low but holding steady. I was able to tell them that I felt absolutely fine - no light headedness or dizziness. My pulse was also slow (50 - 55) but strong and steady.
I ate breakfast and then went for a wander outside for some 'fresh air' and to text a few people. The covering surgeon saw me around 9.30am. He gave me the option of going home yesterday with the drain still in or staying until today in the hope the drain could be removed. I opted to stay. He went ahead and wrote up my discharge letter.
I was so full of beans yesterday I was bouncing all over the place. I ate every morsel of food they put in front of me. Had a few more scenic walks outside. Watched telly until about 11.15pm and then went to sleep.
Up this morning for breakfast at 7.00am. Popped outside for a while and then went back to my room and back to sleep. The nurse woke me at 10.30am and said "Would you like to go home?" Today's on-call surgeon had been a bit reluctant to let me go because all the walking around, etc. yesterday made me drain like a stuck pig. Lovely nurse rang my surgeon who said "She'll be absolutely fine. Send her home."
I went outside to text everyone to let them know. Back to my room to dress and pack. I had just finished that when my lunch arrived. Just as I finished lunch my friend who was driving me home arrived. We went to Tesco so I could do a food shop and then on to Telford station to pick up Becky who is staying with me for a couple of days. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. We had just parked when I saw Becky coming down the steps.
So, then home. Found my neighbour was working on the garden!!!!! Cups of coffee all around and then Jo left. Becky and I put the food away and I've been sitting relaxing since. Dinner tonight is steak, jacket potatoes and either mange tout or green beans. Accompanied by champagne naturally.
