"Emergency Appendectomy - Thank you all so much"

On Sunday 5th April I felt unwell, tummy pains, nausea, fever and loss of appetite. Monday was really no better. Tuesday at 1.20pm I visited my GP for an emergency appointment. He sent me straight to Russell's Hall Hospital to the Surgical Assessment Unit. I arrived at 2.20pm. By 7pm I had been diagnosed with appendicitis. At 8.30pm I had a bed in a small ward. That night was a whirlwind of activity. My pre-med took place during the night, chest x-ray, ECG, visit from a member of the surgical team to explain what would happen and a visit from the anaesthetist to tell me the routine for this type of operation. All this happened alongside regular blood pressure and temperature checks from the nurses on duty that night. I was called to surgery on Wednesday afternoon at 3pm, the operation took place and I was back on ward at 5.20pm drinking a very welcome cup of builders bum tea. Thankfully I had not missed the meal trolley and 15 minutes later I was tucking into a hearty meal. I was discharged on Thursday at 11am and sent home to recover. Today is Tuesday, not even a week since I visited the doctor and I feel good. Still sore and tender but almost pain free. I was due to travel to Italy on 9th April for a week being lazy and enjoying some spring sunshine. Needless to say, this wasn't possible. Although I am disappointed, I dread to think how things would have been had I ignored the pain, flown and then been in a foreign country trying to get any type of medical care. My whole experience has been an 'eye-opener'. The staff at the hospital were all very professional and caring. The nurses on the ward are pushed to their limits at times and I take my hat off to them, I could not do their job. They are as patient as they can be but some patients expect them to do everything for them. The NHS gets some shocking reviews and I'm sure that there are a lot of people out there who have a grievance against this hospital. I cannot complain at all. My care was excellent, did it matter that I had to walk to the kitchen to get some fresh water? I'd have to get my own water at home and my legs still worked!!! My recovery is going well, probably better here at home than it would ever be in hospital where you are more likely to pick up germs. I was pleasantly surprised that I was discharged so early and I'm sure a lot is to do with the fact that I keep myself fairly healthy. The Doctor, on their rounds on Thursday, commented that I looked as if I had had nothing done. That made me feel great. Health starts at home, look at yourself in the mirror. Thank you NHS, I can't fault you!!