Elective surgery admission letter???

Hi Mick,

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. 

Hi Mick,

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!

Thanks for the replies Mick, 

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!

Hi Glenne i am glad you got you letter i hope your op goes well. 

My letter came through today - major relief! Just 2 weeks away now! 

I did know the date - just had no info of ward etc. Got a morning slot too!

I'm glad your letter eventually came, Glennie. Good luck with the op 

Thanks Lesley,

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. 

I did the house clean, although you wouldn't think it to see it now haha.  My son's doing the shopping and it's costing me a fortune because he insists on gettig big name brands instead of shop's own haha

I saw you were having a bit of bother - I've just put a reply on your discussion! I'm dreading my hubby doing the shopping - I'll get pork pies, motoring magazines, cheap loo roll (I don't skimp on loo roll) and microwaveable curries! I'm going to do a big shop next weekend too! Hopefully by the time we need more things I can direct him - and watch him pack it all :-)

i'm probably worrying about nothing but when you're sitting around a lot I think you tend to.  I've been incredibly bored!

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?

 

Hi Lesley,

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!

Ha ha ha! You have just reminded me about shopping lists - a few weeks ago I went out for the shopping and my hubby says I will text you some things that we need. He didn't check the auto correct - and I almost wee'd myself laughing! He wanted speculated coffee (perculated), crutchy rolls (crunchy) and the best of all - quasions - I had to ring him on that - he wanted croissants!

Haha, my texts often read like that.  My new phone has a very avid autocorrect

Had my date cancelled today - now going in on Thursday 12th instead - ok so just 2 days - but now a pm op - at a different hospital - same surgeon. Not happy at all - firstly I don't think that my op is all that 'minor' and secondly more likely to be cancelled as a pm op due to operations overrunning and lack of beds. I'm running out of patience!

Sorry.  I didn't get a notification of this post and have just seen it.  Hospitals are terrible for messing you around aren't they.  You psyche yourself up and get prepared.  It might only be 2 days but it just puts everything out.  Especially so close to the date.

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.

I've just looked at another of your posts where you are concerned that you may have to stay in hospital overnight.  If your surgery is very late, you'll not care about staying anyway as you'll be whoozy and not quite with it after the morphine. However, my past experience of hernia ops was that, more or less, as soon as you have peed, eaten and drank (and you aren't in too much pain) you can be discharged as long as someone is staying with you.  This was usually a couple of hours after going back to the ward.  Our day surgery ward shuts at 6 and they have a hell of a job finding a bed elsewhere for someone unexpectedly needing an overnight stay and I can't imagine they'd have even been able to find one with a week's notice at yours.  They knew I'd be staying overnight before my last op - it's just a shame that they didn't tell me!

Hi Lesley,

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!

 

Hi Glennie.

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

Hi Leslie,

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?

 

Ah, an 11.30 admission isn't so bad.  Hanging around the ward beforehand is horrible.  I forget that your hernia is a different type to mine.  It's amazing how things change after surgery.  You get so used to your body being different you don't realize how much it's affected you.  The thing that I'm most grateful for is being able to go to the toilet properly.  I was having to go 5 or 6 times to empty my bowels properly in the mornings before it.  I'm starting to put weight on though!  Some of this will be with being inactive but some is because i'm not feeling so nauseous and so eating more.

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

I don't think I'll have much chance of putting weight on - not until well after my op. As mine is a stomach hernia - I will be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks before I start eating soft foods then progress eventually to solid food. 

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!!!

Good luck for tomorrow, Glennie, not that you'll need it.  I bet your cats will be spoilt rotten over the next 6 weeks or so

Thanks Lesley,

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!  :-)

Hi Lesley,

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 

 I hope the complication wasn't too serious but I bet you're relieved it's over with.  It definitely takes it out of you so have plenty of rest.  I reckon that it's partly because you're pumped so full of drugs that you don't sleep properly the night after the op.

Take care