"ACL Reconstruction Day Surgery"

I live in Coventry and chose to have my knee surgery in Rugby because my surgeon prefers to use the theatre and it’s team at St Cross.

Having visitied UHCW several times before my surgery date, I was pleased with the ease of parking and locating the Cedar Ward. We did a dummy run the weekend before to see where to go and we were pleasant suprised by the amount of parking and the cost was significantly cheaper.

On the morning I was shown to my bed and waited for my surgery at midday.

I had the same nurse throughout the day who was wonderful and genuinely cared about me.

The physio saw me beforehand and went through my post op excercises which I think was a good idea.

Someone was sent up to me just before it was my time to go down and told me I was next and to get ready to go very soon. I was very scared at this point and the staff were amazing, listening to my worries about having surgery and a general anaesthetic. My only experience in a hospital theatre was very traumatic childbirth. This was a walk in the park in comparison really!

The two staff in theatre spoke with me and then offered to hold my hand as I fell to sleep.

The anaesthetic was gentle and I woke up feeling well and feeling like I’d had a lovely nap on a sun lounger on the beach. My surgeon was there when I woke and he told me the surgery went well.

Next thing I remember I was back on Cedar Ward where the same lovely nurse sat at the end of my bed watching my obs as I drifted in and out of sleep.

They asked how my pain was and when I said I was starting to feel pain they arranged for more medication. When I said I was trying to be brave, they were sympathetic and said please don’t suffer we can help. They said it was a painful surgery and it was ok to ask for help, this reassured me because I don’t like to admit defeat.

Once I felt well they brought me some tea and cake and it was lovely.

And later I was helped to dress and get up to the toilet. They brought me some dinner which was really hot and better than expected.

Another physio then came to look at me on my crutches and was really patient when I was a bit happy on my medication.

Once my partner arrived I was able to go home the same day.

My only criticism was that I had a huge bag of medicines to go home with and was a bit overwhelmed once I got home. I think an idiots guide about what to take and when, would be helpful especially as I left hospital on lots of oromorph and probably wasn’t taking it in,

I was thrilled by my experience and St Cross having my knee done. It was a breath of fresh air compared to uhcw when I delivered my daughter. Even my partner commented on this too.

I really liked my surgeon too and would recommend them to anyone. they really listened to me and I hope they stay working for the trust as they are a locum at the moment.