Elective surgery admission letter???
Posted , 4 users are following.
Just wondering if anyone who has had elective surgery in the UK can answer this one! I am supposed to be having hiatus hernia/ fundoplication done in just over 2 weeks time. I have done the pre-op assessment and given my date via the surgeons secretary by phone, to which she said the confirmation would come to me in the post. I have asked twice now for a confirmation letter - as I have been given no details for the night before or what time to go to hospital, ward or anything! Wonder how long you had to wait to get this - I'm convinced they are going to cancel at the last minute - and I've waited almost a year to get sorted - going through test after test and 3 different hospitals! By the time I get to given surgery date I will have been on the surgeons list for 16 weeks!!!
1 like, 31 replies
mick_1234 Glennie68
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Glennie68 mick_1234
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Thanks for that! Did you get your letter within 2-3 weeks before the op? I would have liked to have had confirmation by now (it's 2 weeks on Tuesday) and there's my work - they want to see the letter as proof I am going through this operation! Just adds to the stress. I don't know if they have the same protocols here in Cumbria - but if they only 1 op a month for this condition - it would make sense I have waited as long as I have.
mick_1234 Glennie68
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Glennie68 mick_1234
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I have met my surgeon - and I have spoken to his admin twice last week asking for my admission letter. The first time his secretary was off, but the acting admin said she would see to it - the second time - she was in but was on lunch - again they said it would be dealt with. Still waiting! They may think it's OK to send it last minute - but that's no good if you work full time and your boss it breathing down your neck asking every other day for a letter!
Glennie68
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Out of my misery today - as the letter arrived - could see why it was delayed - the address was so far up the window section you could barely read it!
mick_1234 Glennie68
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kitebitch Glennie68
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Glennie68 kitebitch
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I did know the date - just had no info of ward etc. Got a morning slot too!
lesley73033 Glennie68
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Glennie68 lesley73033
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I've been making clear soup to freeze today. Next weekend will be a big house clean - as I won't be doing much for a couple of weeks after the op.
lesley73033 Glennie68
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Glennie68 lesley73033
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lesley73033 Glennie68
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I write lists for my son and I sometimes get some of the things on them haha. He's actually been very good. He's not a bad cook when he tries but the mess he makes...............!!!!!!
What date's your op again?
Glennie68 lesley73033
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10th March - a week on tuesday. Got myself a pair of new slippers - didn't think my comic cow slippers would be too safe on a hospital floor!
Glennie68 lesley73033
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lesley73033 Glennie68
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Glennie68 lesley73033
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lesley73033 Glennie68
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I don't think it's minor either. And if it's any consolation, my surgery was last on the list for that day. It was scheduled for 1.30 but I didn't go to theatre until 3.30. I did say that I hoped they wouldn't cancel and they said that they only cancel as a very last resort as it has a knock on effect on subsequent listings.
lesley73033 Glennie68
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Glennie68 lesley73033
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I was really upset at first - but I'm OK now. I'm lot liking the afternoon surgery idea though - not that bothered if I do have to stay in - it's just hanging around all day waiting for the surgery - and for the fact I'm a morning person - like to be up and get things done! I'm going to be giving the surgeons secretary a whole list of questions tomorrow - and get her to e-mail me the answers so I know what I'm doing. I'm fairly sure I shouldn't eat or drink for 8 hours before - she told me something different - but I am having surgery involving my stomach - so I'm pretty sure they will want that empty! From my work's point of view - it has panned out well, as I had quite a lot of work I was trying to squeeze into 1 day - now I have 3 I will get it all done and filed away! Sad aren't I!!!
Only fly in the ointment is my hubby was going to be around with me for 6 days - now only 4 - as he works for the NHS himself - and has a very heavy case load, can only take the days he already had booked as he doesn't want to cancel appointments for his patients!
lesley73033 Glennie68
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The hanging around is awful. Can you ask if you can go in later? I wasn't allowed anything to eat after midnight but was given a cup of black coffee at 9.30 at the hospital and allowed to sip water until 10.30. I was still incredibly dehydrated when I was back on the ward though but I think that was because my drip wasn't working properly. I was told that I could have drink water and black tea/coffee until 6am before my op.
Also, I smoke and kept nipping out for a fag until right before I went to theatre. The nurses gave me the usual spiel when I asked about this but said it was ok. If it's a decent day, ask if there is somewhere you cn go and sit in the hospital grounds rather than hanging about the ward.
I live with my son and he was back at work 2 days after my surgery. To be honest I was glad of the peace and just messed around on my laptop drinking coffee all day. I was capable of pottering around by then. It was just my 1st day out that was hard, At least you'll know that you won't have a heap of work to go back to
Glennie68 lesley73033
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I'm in at 11.30am for afternoon surgery - so time to watch pensioners tv before I go in. I'm not really on coffee right now (too acidic) - besides I've been told I'm only to have water only in the last few hours before surgery. In fact I've lived like a saint lately - no booze, no chocolates. I don't smoke (only when I'm extremely angry and it comes out of my ears! ) and I never eat after 7pm. A few of the reasons why I am going down the surgery route! I'm going to have so much pay back time when I'm better - the first stop will be an italian meal with a very large glass of red wine - but even that will be about 3 months away (just in time for Summer - if we get it!) I've been the driver for long enough - as I couldn't drink anyway!
I'm packing my nightie just in case I have to stay - although I do have to take my dressing gown and slippers anyway - so no biggie!
How are you mending? Got back to see your horse yet?
lesley73033 Glennie68
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I've been to see Billy a few times and it was lovely. I can't wait to get back on him. My friend is looking after him and has taken me to the yard with her. I can fill haynets but that's about it.
I'm still sore but it's more my leg than anything. It's still swollen but looking back to 3 weeks ago I' a lot better than I was. I'm just in too much of a hurry to be fit I think.
When you're up to it, your hubby has a lot of driving to the pub etc to make up for haha
Glennie68 lesley73033
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What you have had sounds really painful, and I'm really glad you've got sorted. I'll be glad when I get sorted - I haven't had much of a social life for the last year or more!
I bet Billy was really pleased to see you. My friend said when she had been in hospital for a couple of weeks when she got back to her horse he saw her coming over the field towards him, whinnied really loudly and galloped over to her! I wished I have seen that!
I've just got a pile of slobby cats - they're all OAPs now - take up the comfiest seats in the house and try and sit on the laptop for attention. 2 were wandering tramps, 1 was inherited and 2 I've had since they were kittens. All different - but I love them all. I'm sure they will use me as a cushion while I am at home - while also trying to convince me they need fed 10 times a day!!!
lesley73033 Glennie68
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Glennie68 lesley73033
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I am up super early to eat my last toast for a while! Here's to us both having a lovely summer after going through our operations! :-)
Glennie68 lesley73033
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I'm all done now - I was kept in due to an unforeseen complication, but my shoulders were so sore anyway! feeing a bit better today - but super tired! I'll catch up when I can keep my eyes open
lesley73033 Glennie68
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Take care