"Treatment at Musgrove Park Hospital"

I recently had a treatment carried out at Musgrove Park Hospital. As requested I did not eat from the night before and only had a glass of water at 6am on the day of admission. I arrived at 8:30am and was asked for my paperwork. I did not have any as the appointment was arranged by phone.

This seemed to cause some confusion and I was taken to a room. Shortly afterwards the receptionist came in to say they had advised the vascular team. I queried this as I was undergoing treatment on my kidney. She then informed me they had informed the wrong department and would contact the correct one. I waited on the ward for 6 hours without being able to drink anything. I was only allowed small sips of water and it was a warm day. Eventually I was taken down for my treatment. I was aware that I would be awake throughout and that it could be painful. However I was reassured that the opiates I would be able to administer would help, I didn't find the opiates made much difference but kept being told to take them. I was very uncomfortable as lying on my back is hard with an arthritic hip. The surgery took around 90 minutes. I did say I felt nauseous and thought it was the opiates, I was back on the ward by around 5:30pm feeling badly dehydrated. I drank plenty of water but could not eat. For the next 12 hours the pain was excruciating and very painful for the next 24 hours. Painkillers didn't seem to help much. 

I spent two nights on the ward and on the third day was told to get washed and ready as the doctor would be round early and I would be discharged.  I sat on a chair for nearly 4 hours when the doctor came in.  We had a brief chat and I said I felt very bruised which was to be expected.  I was told I could go home and was asked when my husband would collect me.  I said he would be there within the hour and was told my discharge letter would be waiting for me.  It took a little time for a nurse to come and remove the cannula's and then we waited for a wheelchair. 

In the afternoon we were taken down to the Discharge Lounge and were asked to take a seat.  We were asked if we would like a drink or something to eat.  There were only two other people waiting so felt we wouldn't be there long.  After about 15 minutes we asked how much longer it was going to take.  The lady on the desk phoned the department to see if the letter had been sent but it had not been written.  We were asked to wait.  I explained I had been sitting up since 8am and was beginning to feel  unwell and still had an hour's drive ahead of us.  At 3:15pm we left without the letter.  I was driven home and went straight to bed with palpitations and generally feeling unwell.  

The next morning I still felt light headed and was having palpitations.  We have a heart monitor at home.  My heart rate was 170.  I called 111.  A doctor contacted me within minutes and said an ambulance was on its way.  This arrived 10 minutes later and I was taken to Yeovil Hospital A&E.  During the trip my heart rate reached 230.  It took a couple of hours to stabilise my heart and I was discharged that evening.  I have never suffered from heart problems.

I was asked to go back 2 days later to have further tests.  I spent 6 hours in A&E.  They were aware the results they were getting were possibly connected to my recent surgery,  I had to return three days later for more tests and although not that good they felt it was too close to my hospital treatment to get accurate results.  They felt that I had found the experience traumatic and coupled with being dehydrated it might have been the cause of my heart racing.  I have an appointment with a cardiologist to check up.

I am not writing to complain but would like you to think about how I was treated,  I am generally a healthy 75 year old.  I have dogs which get walked every day for at least an hour.  I do not take any medication.  9 days after surgery I am still feeling lifeless.  I am improving each day.