LeakyUK
Well-known member
Thu 26 May - Admission
Arrive at hospital 3pm. Lots of forms,tests and questions. Most patients are accommodated in 6 bedded rooms, with side rooms reserved for those who are less well. The shower rooms are explained. In accordance with NHS policy they are single sex only, however the signs on the doors are reversable so they can be used by both sexes. Asked my thoughts on the operation there is only one answer - terrified.
Decent 'last supper' before my fast, an antiseptic shower, 2 small sleeping tablets and I am out...
Fri 27 May - Operation
Woken at 6am for BP, blood samples etc (since I cannot eat or drink, and was under the influence of sleeping pills, a longer rest would have been appreciated). My chest is shaved and I take another shower. At 1pm I am given 3 blue sleeping tablets to relax.
Sat 28 May - ICU
A distant voice tells me it is 5.30 am, and I have had my operation (what operation?). I still have the breathing tube and gesture to it frantically. ICU (under morphine) is not what I expected. I settle for it looking like a MASH field hospital with beds and people everwhere - still cannot see faces, but there is a jumble of voices. The breathing tube is out, and I drink some water. Eight hours pass in about 30 minutes. I have a cup of tea. Breakfast is offered, I order Bacon, then throw up into a bowl before it arrives. I attempt to eat toast. This is an unknown species which defies chewing or swallowing. A beaker of water and a toothbrush appear. More water,more tea.
I attempt lunch and am ill again after just a few mouthfulls. The voices talk about a blocked drain (airlock) and pacing wires.
At 2pm I am moved to high dependancy and I am starting to wake up. My wife visits and tells me I look well!! (I am hooked up to a catheter, pacing wires, 2 wide plastic drains, a neck line with multiple inlets and outlets and an oxygen mask. I have an Auto Blood pressure sleeve which contracts every twenty minutes. I am also starting to feel the pain of moving/coughing).
A visit from the surgeon and an explanation that air bubbles in the drain need to be cleared.(nothing to worry about).
Mealtime. I have learned and settle for a yoghourt.
There are 4 patients in the room, the blood oxygen alarms sound every few minutes and are re-set. the auto blood pressure squeezes. Catheters are pulled every 30 minutes. (I think the nurses find this entertaining).The potassium drip is regularly refilled. After 24 hrs sleep there follows a truly unpleasant 24 hours without sleep!
.................... Coming up, the pharmacy and the overnight delay, the search for a power lead,the uncontrolled heating and the truly amazing TV Lady....
Arrive at hospital 3pm. Lots of forms,tests and questions. Most patients are accommodated in 6 bedded rooms, with side rooms reserved for those who are less well. The shower rooms are explained. In accordance with NHS policy they are single sex only, however the signs on the doors are reversable so they can be used by both sexes. Asked my thoughts on the operation there is only one answer - terrified.
Decent 'last supper' before my fast, an antiseptic shower, 2 small sleeping tablets and I am out...
Fri 27 May - Operation
Woken at 6am for BP, blood samples etc (since I cannot eat or drink, and was under the influence of sleeping pills, a longer rest would have been appreciated). My chest is shaved and I take another shower. At 1pm I am given 3 blue sleeping tablets to relax.
Sat 28 May - ICU
A distant voice tells me it is 5.30 am, and I have had my operation (what operation?). I still have the breathing tube and gesture to it frantically. ICU (under morphine) is not what I expected. I settle for it looking like a MASH field hospital with beds and people everwhere - still cannot see faces, but there is a jumble of voices. The breathing tube is out, and I drink some water. Eight hours pass in about 30 minutes. I have a cup of tea. Breakfast is offered, I order Bacon, then throw up into a bowl before it arrives. I attempt to eat toast. This is an unknown species which defies chewing or swallowing. A beaker of water and a toothbrush appear. More water,more tea.
I attempt lunch and am ill again after just a few mouthfulls. The voices talk about a blocked drain (airlock) and pacing wires.
At 2pm I am moved to high dependancy and I am starting to wake up. My wife visits and tells me I look well!! (I am hooked up to a catheter, pacing wires, 2 wide plastic drains, a neck line with multiple inlets and outlets and an oxygen mask. I have an Auto Blood pressure sleeve which contracts every twenty minutes. I am also starting to feel the pain of moving/coughing).
A visit from the surgeon and an explanation that air bubbles in the drain need to be cleared.(nothing to worry about).
Mealtime. I have learned and settle for a yoghourt.
There are 4 patients in the room, the blood oxygen alarms sound every few minutes and are re-set. the auto blood pressure squeezes. Catheters are pulled every 30 minutes. (I think the nurses find this entertaining).The potassium drip is regularly refilled. After 24 hrs sleep there follows a truly unpleasant 24 hours without sleep!
.................... Coming up, the pharmacy and the overnight delay, the search for a power lead,the uncontrolled heating and the truly amazing TV Lady....
