Well, I'm back. I went into Macclesfield hospital on Monday morning for my septoplasty. Basically they put me under general anaesthetic (completely asleep!) and went in to correct the bit of cartilage that runs up the middle of my nose, separating my two nostrils-- mine was bent and was blocking my right nostril such that I couldn't breathe out of it, and my sinuses weren't draining properly. I arrived just before 8, reported to the main reception desk as I was told to do.
The main receptionist was just through the doorway, climbing on a computer chair (the kind on wheels!) to stand on top of her desk to open the window!! Talk about health and safety in action! At least she wouldn't have had far to go if she'd fallen and broken anything-- A & E is just down the hall.
She printed off my cover sheet for me, and asked me where the bed manager (nurse) had told me I was staying. It was Ward 2, so she sent me up. Upon arriving at Ward 2, there were about 8 ladies bustling around the main nurses station, but not a single one made eye contact with us!! I got someone's attention and showed them my cover sheet and she asked my name. I told her and she said she didn't know what was going on and that I must be in Ward 1. So we walked around to Ward 1. Again, lots of bustling ladies and not a single one looked up. I was beginning to worry about whether or not I was invisible!! Again they didn't have anything about me at their desk, and came to the conclusion that I *must* be in the Surgical Day Unit. So off we went around the corner to the Surgical Day Unit. Once there they said "Oh yes... you must be Mrs. Mayberry..." and I was like "ummm no, I'm Mrs. HELSBY." and then they said "is it possible they got your name wrong? Are you here for an RST?" And it was at this moment that I knew why British NHS hospitals are reknowned for screwing things up and doing the wrong operation on the wrong person!! If I'd been a little old dear with poor hearing, I'd have been admitted as Mrs. Mayberry and have had an RST (whatever *that* is!!!!).
It was at this point that Andy my dear hubby said that he saw my name written on the dry-erase board back in Ward 2. So we went back to Ward 2 and they again were fumbling a bit, so I walked over to the board and pointed and said-- "This is ME." and then things got a lot clearer. They found my paperwork and sent me over to where my bed was.
There were 3 older ladies already in the bedroom (which was divided up into six curtained off sections). And they were all having a nice little chat, so I said hello and went to sit on my bed and wait to be told what to do next. Then I realized I didn't know if I was on the morning list or the afternoon list. So I went back over to the nurses station and asked. I was the last one on the morning list-- which gave me a great sense of relief.
I got my Winter Queen stitching out and carried on. I was nearly finished with her at this point, and putting her down when I'm that close to finishing is really difficult!!! As it happens, I was able to finish her in plenty of time before going down for surgery.
Andy was kicked out about 10ish (I think) and I was taken down to the anaethetics room/operating room about 10:30ish. They took me down and were asking me all kinds of questions. The funniest one they asked was as they were taking my blood pressure just before the surgery-- it was just bang-on normal-- and they asked "Are you SURE you know you're having surgery in a couple of minutes????" I laughed and said yes, and that there were lots of folks praying for me, and that I felt really relaxed and peaceful. Then they stuck the needle in for the anaestetic (thank goodness the nurse put that cream on the backs of my hands to numb them!) and I started to feel pretty sleepy. Pretty soon I could barely keep my eyes open, and they were reaching all over me, and all around me. Then I couldn't keep them open any longer.
I woke up in the recovery room, and they were wheeling me back to the Ward. They were asking me all kinds of questions, what's my birthdate, where do I live, etc. and then we got back to the room and I got back into my bed and asked for Andy and felt well sleepy.
Andy turned up shortly after that, which was funny because the nurse had phoned him, but he'd been in the hospital and hadn't had his phone on. So we had a nice lil time and then he went about 3ish and was going to come back for the evening visiting hours.
I slept on and off for a good long time, and had my first sips of water, and at tea-time I was allowed a "light-diet" tea... which consisted of an egg-salad sandwich, a mug of veg soup, and a mini lemon meringue tart. It was just enough to fill me up.
I was so blessed the whole day-- I didn't have any fears about going in, and the anaestetic didn't make me sick at all-- (and it made two other ladies who went in that afternoon from our room very sick-- dry heaving for a while etc.)
So I'm very thankful for all the prayers and best wishes and that God was gracious and held me tight.
Posted by kristen at May 19, 2004 9:13 AM