Well, that was a curious experience. As a step towards my prostate operation, there was the need for some further investigations to take place today, all part of giving me a thorough ‘going over’ to ensure all is well.
Turned out I needed a general anaesthetic and a spell on the short stay surgical ward. The day started at home with only a light breakfast at 7:30am and then heading off to the hospital to arrive mid morning. As it was another nice day, I decided to walk the two miles and I absolutely loved doing that before the pandemonium of traffic chaos outside the hospital. So pleased I walked!
I met Rachel at the appointed time and we checked into Surgical Arrivals and waited, waited with some more waiting. I was on track for becoming a very impatient patient. We were waiting in a narrow waiting room, full of patients and families members waiting for their surgeries. I think some patients were there for a pre-surgery assessment and filling in forms, I remember doing this myself a few weeks back. Gradually patients were being called for different parts of the process and eventually I got my turn.
Stage 1 – compression socks
The first stage was being seen by a nurse to check I was the right person, fix me with an ID band around my wrist and ankle. She dressed me in the most fetching green compression stockings, I’m told this was to prevent blood clots forming.
Stage 2 – anaesthetic discussion
Next I was met by the anaesthetist behind a temporary shabby screen in a corridor, perhaps an example of the NHS under a bit of strain. She sat on a table, I sat on a rickety plastic chair while Rachel stood holding my day bag. She ran through a number of questions and it seemed pretty straightforward. Amongst her questions were whether I had any wobbly teeth, allergies and whether I could move my neck around enough. She explained the process of giving me the anaesthetic and waking up afterwards, it all seemed so intriguing!
Stage 3 – consultant
After a further wait I was then seen by the consultant who I had seen before and suggested this little peep inside me. He commented that I looked younger than I was (that made me smile!). However, he said, I was still a bit young to have prostate problems. He explained what was going to happen and asked me to sign the consent form.
Back in the waiting room with Rachel, I was finding it hard to concentrate on reading anything and, to be honest, I was feeling a little anxious and this got in the way of meaningful conversation with Rachel. As ever she’s so loving and accommodating of me.
Stage 4 – getting ready for theatre
By now it was mid afternoon when I was called by a nurse and shown into a changing room. She was Polish, chatty and very friendly. I was asked to undress and put on a couple of hospital gowns, one forward and one facing backwards. Next Rachel and I were taken to the lift and headed to the top floor of the hospital. At that point Rachel was told she couldn’t go any further. We kissed, I told Rachel I loved her and then left her in the lift. I hoped she was okay as our parting seemed a bit abrupt and it wasn’t expected at that stage.
Now I was in the surgical floor with theatre related signs everywhere, lots of door security and air conditioning keeping everything cool. The normal hustle and bustle of the hospital seemed to be left downstairs. It was quiet, just a few people around and yet the process was still whirring away. The nurse took my bag and popped it into a locked locker and showed me to the male waiting area. I was there on my own, aside from the TV showing the continuous BBC news. They were talking about the Brexit countdown, now at the six month stage. Various people were speaking on TV and painting a gloomy economic picture of post Brexit. I thought of how we are dependent on markets performing reasonably well and I don’t want my early retirement screwed up by Brexit being messed up. Another reminder of Brexit pervading many aspects of life these days.
Stage 5 – into the operating theatre
A theatre nurse came and spoke to me, asking me the same range of questions and yet again checking both of my ID bands. Nice to see all these processes working well! She took me through to the room which adjoins the actual theatre which I could just see through the windows in the door. There was a young woman sitting behind a little table with lots of glass jars, each with a neat lid and I wondered if this is where the samples would go. I was popped onto a trolley, minus my underpants and top layer hospital gown.
The theatre nurse and anaesthetist quickly set to work with pit-stop speed and co-ordination. My blood pressure was checked and noted as being a little higher (well, what a surprise with all this going on!). Three electrical wires were connected to my chest to monitor me, along with some blood pressure gadget. Next the bed was adjusted so I was lying flat and a cannula was inserted into my right hand, followed by a little bit of saline, just to make sure it was working alright.
I remember saying, or rather asking, whether it would be all over when I woke up. It would be and as everything was ready, including myself, the anaesthetic was inserted. It was a little white syringe and I watched the anaesthetist push the plunger down and felt the cold fluid flow into my hand. Then I was asked to hold an oxygen mask over my nose and mouth and a second later this being held by the nurse for me. In no time at all my eyes rolled up and I was out. As I fell asleep, it seemed the nicest warming of feelings, although it was just for a couple of seconds.
Stage 6 – Waking up in the recovery room
The first thing I was aware of was someone talking to me and all kinds of bright lights around me – this is where the above photo was taken. I instantly realised I was in hospital, not heaven and I looked around feeling a bit disorientated. A nurse was checking various things around me including the monitor beeping behind me.
I felt good, no pain although quite cold. Everyone else looked lightly dressed and warm, yet I was cold. The nurse kindly said she’s bring me a warmer blanket and to my surprise the new blanket was HOT and wow, it was lovely! I found my phone and glasses and sent a text message to Rachel saying “I’m awake”.
Stage 7 – waiting for discharge
Once I had been awake for about 20 minutes and doing okay, I was taken to another ward. I recognised the crazy high speed dash through the corridors with people almost leaping out of the way, as if the bed was powered in some way. After all the twists and turns I arrived in a tiny ward, ready for discharge. I had been there before, it was small, dingy, cold and devoid of any windows which added to the feelings of being disorientated.
I had some tea, lots and lots of water followed by an egg sandwich. The idea was to make sure I could keep this down without being sick. There were four other men there, one was moaning and complaining about being in pain all over his body. Another couldn’t wait to get out, saying it was only a dental abscess which had put him in hospital and time there was costing him money. The others were quiet, like me.
My blood pressure and temperature were checked about six or seven times during the first hour. Then I was told I could go home if I felt ready. Certainly I did! I called Rachel who drove to the hospital to collect me. I was given some further catheter supplies, discharge care information, got dressed, thanked the nurse and was off!
Stage 8 – at home
I slept fairly well, though I did wrestle a little through being hot and then cold. I woke up at the usual time and felt a little sore but this is only to be expected. Having a shower, a really hot shower, was lovely. Getting rid of that sticky feeling is most refreshing!
I am still feeling a little muzzy from the anaesthetic but I think this will wear off through the day. Hopefully I’m off to join an art group today – yay!