So today I had my Axillary (armpit) lymph node clearance. I was told to arrive at hospital at 7.30am. Despite my real suspicion that it probably would not matter if I didn't arrive until lunchtime, I duly set my alarm for 5.30am.
Got to hospital at 7.30, went in the wrong lift, through two incorrect zones and after giving in and reading the actual directions signs, made it to Surgical Admissions at 7.40.
Saw my Consultant by 9.00. He draws on me then drip feeds me the first unwelcome bit of information which is that I am not going to be operated on until after lunch. His lunch, that is, given that I am nil by mouth and have not eaten since 8pm Sunday.
Then I see the nurse to fill in the usual paperwork. After that another nurse takes pity on me and moves me out of the generic departure lounge and in to my own room with a bed. Pleased with that as the chairs were already making my bum ache.
The Anaesthetist comes to see me and drip feeds the next negative nugget of information - I am in fact last on the list. Not just after lunch anymore, last. As per my previous post I expected this so I was not too devastated. Just hungry. It's amazing how much the hours in the day stretch out when they are not punctuated by nice cups of tea and various meals and snacks.
The Anaesthetist also tells me that they do tend to put the "healthier" patients last, so presumably I was considered the patient most likely to survive 24 hours with no food and 8 hours with no water. And here I am, so they were right.
Went down for the op at 4.00 and was in recovery by 6.30. Tried a new (new to me) pain drug, Fentanyl. Quite effective. Off that now though and just on paracetamol and ibuprofen but I am allowed Tramadol too if I get bored, oops sorry of course what I meant to say was if it gets painful!!
I am now on the ward and still awake thanks to the anaesthetist reintroducing me to my old friend Dexamethasone, aka red bull on steroids. The nurse offered me a nice cup of tea just now and promptly received drinks orders from the two beds next to me as well. So we're all having a jolly post-midnight beverage. I'm pleased to report that I don't feel as much like I've been run over by a bus as I did after my last op and I don't mind being on the main ward this time either. I was a bit afraid of it at first but I am actually quite liking being part of the comings and goings.
Anyway, I'm off to do some more ceiling gazing now and drink the rest of my tea. TTFN.
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