"Everyone I met was friendly, efficient, reassuring, and helpful"

I have had several previous arthroscopies, on both knees, where, in basic terms my kneecaps were smoothed and flushed out, and always under a general anaesthetic. This time I had to travel to Grantham Hospital, where I had never been before.

Firstly, my pre-op at Lincoln hospital a week earlier was very efficient. I had a lovely nurse called Geraldine, who explained everything brilliantly, and then I saw a friendly young man called Joseph, who did my bloods, ECG etc.

So, Grantham. On the day of the op., I had to be there early, and was taken to my bed in a bay of four. My assigned nurse, Melissa, arrived shortly and introduced herself.

I was the first one to go for my op in our bay, so everything was done quickly and efficiently, but didn't feel rushed at all.

Melissa and a student nurse, Lucy, did all the usual obs (temp, BP, SATs, etc.), and lots of form filling! I was then visited by the anaesthetist. (I wish I could remember his name.) Another lovely, friendly member of staff.

However, I was under the impression I would have a general anaesthetic like all the other times, but I was to have a spinal. (Less risks, etc.) This was slightly terrifying to me, but he was very reassuring, as was Melissa. He also said he would give me a sedative, as I was nervous.

Next came the consultant/surgeon, Mr. Sakthivel, obviously a busy man.  But he was very pleasant and explained everything about the operation, and answered any questions I had.

I then was asked to get changed into the gown, etc., and Melissa walked me to theatre.

After all my details were checked, I met up with the anaesthetist again, he had another gentleman with him and a student. (Again, I wish I could remember their names.)

Both of them assisted, and were amazing. So reassuring, the student held my hands whilst I had the spinal, and I did squeeze hard. It turned out, I presented a bit of a problem getting the needle in (I think it's easier with skinnier people), but it was put in and I lay on the trolley. I was then given my sedative, and was taken into theatre.

In theatre, a sheet was put up so I couldn't see anything, felt a bit like being in a tent. (But not claustrophobic). I was very relaxed and almost dozed off a couple of times. I felt, what I thought, was the trolley moving, the anaesthetist was with me the whole time, and then I was told "they're finished". Honestly, I didn't even know they'd started. Time must go super fast in theatre.

So I was then taken into recovery, where I had another brilliant nurse. The anaesthetist came to see me, while I was there too. After a short while I was taken back to the ward, and "slid" perfectly into bed.

As I had a spinal, I was awake, and once the sedative had worn off, quite alert too. I couldn't feel anything from the waist down. I was brought some water, a cuppa and some biscuits.

Then about an hour later, lunch was served. I never have much expectations when it comes to hospital food, but it has definitely got better over the years. My roast chicken dinner, followed by crumble and ice cream was very nice indeed.

Gradually I started to get the feeling back in the lower half of my body. Melissa brought me some crutches, and observed closely when I first got out of bed.

Shortly after that, I was able to go home. Melissa brought the discharge paperwork, explained everything to me... what had been done to my knee, explained what I should do next, booking nurse appointments etc.

When my son arrived, I was walked down to him with Melissa, (I could have had a wheelchair), she came right out to the car with me. The 20 minute drop off area is perfect, makes everything so much easier.

I will get a letter in the post for an appointment to see the consultant. I had heard good things about orthopaedics/surgery at Grantham hospital, and I certainly wasn't disappointed. 

Everyone I met was chatty, friendly, efficient, reassuring, helpful, Melissa in particular. (And Lucy the student nurse.)