"Overall I had a very good experience"

I have arthritis in both my knees. I first saw a surgeon 13 months ago and was told that i would require a knee replacement. 

About a month ago i met Andrea, a pre assessment nurse who went through a list of questions about my health. She also explained a bit about what to expect when I go in for my operation. After a few days Andrea phoned me just to make sure I was still happy to go ahead and gave me the opportunity to ask any further questions that i had thought of.

When i went in for my surgery I was shown into a small room where a nurse  took my blood pressure and went through some more paperwork. An anaesthetist came in and explained the they prefer to use a spinal medication. This was very frightening as I had assumed I would be out to sleep. On reflection if I had read the material that I got home from the pre assessment I would have been better prepared for that. I was taken through to the ward and prepared to go to the theatre.

I had previous back surgery and because of that they were unable to perform the spinal, thankfully for me at least I was given a general anaesthetic. The anaesthetist was lovely and sympathetic towards the pain they were giving me trying to get the needle in my back.

I woke up back on the ward with post operative pain. The nursing staff were all lovely  and quickly started my pain relief regime to allow my recovery to begin.

I was feeling very dizzy when lying in bed and when the physiotherapist sat me on the side of the bed I didn't feel well at all. She took my blood pressure and it was low so I was put back to bed. I was a bit disappointed as I watched others in the bay getting up and starting to walk.

The following morning they tried again and I managed to get half way to the toilet before feeling dizzy again. The staff was very quick in getting my bed to my side and me back in it. 

The excitement came next. The fire alarm went off. My worry if it was real I couldn't get out. Again the nursing staff stayed calm and moved the beds into a bay further along until the fire service gave the all clear.

I got a visit from the physiotherapist in the afternoon and I got some exercises then I managed to get up and walk with a zimmer frame.

I was allowed to sit up for a while and was encouraged to use the zimmer to get back and forth to the toilet.

The following morning I was assessed by the physiotherapist and was given crutches. I felt more confident on them as I was frightened the zimmer would roll away from me. Once I conquered the dreaded stair I was signed off and said I was allowed to go home.

Over all I had a very good experience. I would like to thank Susan on the dayshift and Mandy and Claire from the night shift, their energy and lightheartedness kept me going. 

My only constructive criticism was the lack of choices for vegetarian meals.