"My care after an adominal operation"

My operation was for reflux, the consultant knew I also had a Hiatus Hernia, which he said he would also sort out. I was told by the Pre Assessment sister it would be a one night stay, as this was important to me as I am carer to my husband. The operation went ok and I woke in recovery, feeling as if I'd gone 10 rounds with Muhammed Ali.

The nurse assigned to me was very friendly and helpful asking if I was ok and did I need anything. I was moved to a single room in a ward. I was asked to keep sipping water. The pain relief given during the operation was now wearing off and the night staff came onto the ward. I told the Staff nurse and asked for pain relief, he disappeared and came back with IV Paracetemol It was difficult to move on the bed as I had oxygen in my nose, a tube from my nose to a drain on my right side, 2 drips going into my right hand. Both my legs had op stockings and were fixed into pads attached to a trembler at the base of the bed and then finally a drain coming out of my left side. . A patient upstairs then began to scream and scream and the rain storm started.

The paracemol did not touch the pain, 2 hrs later for obs I told the Staff nurse and he went and got some oral morphine, he gave me quick squirt and went. 2 hrs later when the nurse came in again for obs I asked again. The screaming had continued all this time, the time was now 3. 30am. She came back with the measure which she said was full as If the Staff nurse had not given me anything. She gave me the full measure.

I asked to go to the toilet and the Staff nurse brought a commode. He told me to hold the 2 drain bags, they disconnected my legs and the nurse helped me off the bed. THe Staff nurse pulled down my knickers and sat me on the commode. How undignified the whole thing was, I felt awful, embarrassed, in pain and could do nothing. The screaming from upstairs continued, I did not sleep at all.

When the day staff came on, I told them I had not slept, I told them about the screaming, and they said others had complained about the screaming I said I was still in my op gown, had not had a wash, They then told me I would be in for another night. I said No I wanted to go home. A nurse help me to wash and got me back into bed, A doctor from the consultant's team came down and explained how serious the op had been and advised me to stay another night. I explained the previous night had been a nightmare in every way. The staff had not eased my recovery in any way and I knew that going home was the only solution. They agreed and I arranged for my daughter to pick me up.

They gave me some anti nausea tablets and although I questioned the drinks ( I was fluids only for 3 wks ) and pain relief, they said my GP would give them to me I went home felt better. The following morning I went to see my GP, he gave me a prescription for the drinks and pain relief, and whilst out the consultant phoned. Hubby told them I was at the doctors and why. He was angry that I had to do it and said the hospital should have provided it.

This only happened this week but I am feeling a bit better each day. It makes me very reluctant to go back to this hospital. I should see the consultant in 6 wks time, but no appointment has been made yet, in fact the ward staff never mentioned it. I will wait to see. What could be better? Everything, I have had ops there before and never had the treatment I have had this time