"Reassuring staff"

On Friday 4th September I arrived at Grantham hospital for a Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy procedure. Had temperature taken was OK and off I went to the ward. 

I received a warm welcome and I had a pleasant nurse to look after me thereafter. 

I had a side room which I thoroughly enjoyed and I soon got settled in.  I had all the checks, blood taken etc. and got ready for my procedure. 

At 1pm I went on a walk to the the theatre (not the kind of matinee by choice) and sat patiently waiting. 2pm came and it was my turn. I was introduced to the anaesthetist and her assistance, every thing was explained clearly and reassuring. 

A few hours later it was all over and in recovery I was told all went well. 

After further checks blood pressure etc. I was on my way back to the ward just before 5pm. 

I was told by a nurse your husband rang twice give him a call so I did. 

I was feeling sore to be expected and also very nauseous (anaesthetic does that to me). 

Time was passing by and they were moving patients out to another ward (refurbishing purposes I think) and I was told I’d be going home later in the evening. 

Well the way I felt I didn’t fancy the idea of going home I was feeling sick and home wasn’t on my mind. I phoned my husband and told him they’ve told me I’m going home but I’m not happy about it I feel awful. 

Anyhow my pleasant nurse who looked after me all day was now going home her shift ended supposedly at 8pm but she left nearer 8:30pm. She came to wish me well I said thanks and thanks for looking after me today. I asked her am I really going home she said it’s not up for me to say it’s up to night staff coming on. 

Anyhow night staff came on by now we are all moved on to another ward and I met the nurse in charge who told me I wasn’t going home, I said that’s music to my ears thank you. She said how you feeling I said sick and I was. I rang my husband to say I’m staying the night and see you tomorrow. 

It’s amazing how much you feel better after 12 hours.  

Morning came and I was ready for breakfast after my last meal was on the Thursday around 6pm. The thought of a cup of tea and toast was so well awaited for. 

I waited patiently to be told I could go home later in the day and was waiting for medication from pharmacy.  During lunch staff nurse came and said I need to give you an injection in your tummy, I’ll show you how to do it, I thought there’s no way I can do that. She said for the next 14 days you have to have injections to prevent blood clotting. 

I said could you get district nurse to call and show me and my husband how to do it? She said yes and on Sunday nurse called in around 1pm. 

Well there was no way I could inject myself I cried and said can’t do it. My husband got the job of doing it, many years ago in his youth he worked in a hospital pricking babies heels so was used to needles. 

My heart goes out to all the diabetic folk out there. My father was diagnosed at 70 and he injected himself I thought if dad can do it I can. 

The tummy is puffed up after a laparoscopic procedure and takes a while to settle down so loose fitting clothes is recommended. Six weeks later on I can now get back into wearing my jeans again and I forgot to mention I got on the scales too and was few lbs lighter. 

The reason why I had this procedure was a 7cm cyst on my left ovary. 

To all you ladies out there waiting for the same procedure I wish you all the very best and when you look at the benefits it makes it all worthwhile. 

I’d also like to say a big thank you to all the nurses and drs on the ward for doing a wonderful job, working very long hours in these very unusual strange situations we are all in.