My surgery went well

The last 2 weeks have been busy and Monday the 19th the day for my surgery was suddenly upon me. I had been reasonable calm since finding out that I needed the surgery but I did become a little anxiousness Saturday and Sunday. Steve gave me a blessing that gave me much comfort and a good night’s sleep, although I woke twice but it was weird because I felt excitement like the night before Christmas or going on a trip and I went straight back to sleep! I think I was just excited to be getting something over with that I wasn’t looking forward to.

The day started at 5.50am (5.15am for Steve and Beth who had to sort the horses out) and after dropping Beth off at a friends house we at the hospital at 7.30am. I was checked in, given a bed and was seen by the anesthetist and surgeon and told I was 4th on the list so expect to have the surgery at around 11-11.30am. I had met a lovely lady called Nita when I went for my results on the 30th December and again when I went for my pre-op assessment and she too had a lump and was having surgery the same day and she was in the bed next to me. Nita and I have a lot in common, we are both into alternative therapies and energy healing and so we chatted the morning away with little thought of what we were about to have.

Well 2 of the 3 patients in front of me had complications meaning that I didn’t go for my surgery until 3.30pm, 3 hours after I had put on my hospital gown! I was anxious to say the least and feeling not too good as I hadn’t eaten or drunk anything since 9pm the night before! I was taken in my bed down the corridor to theatre passing visitors on their way to see family and friends, little did I know just 6 weeks earlier when we walked the same corridor to visit Steve’s Mum (and trying not to look at who was in the bed) that I would be a patient in bed being wheeled to and from the theatre.

My anxiousness caused me to ramble and talk nonsense I think the anesthetist was just glad to finally put me to sleep! Prior to being giving the anesthetic intravenously I was given a very strong pain killer which the anesthetist informed me it would make me feel like I had drunk a couple of large gin and tonic’s to which I replied I don’t drink and never have done! As I said that felt strange and I told him so; he quickly administered the anesthetic telling me you are going to sleep now as I felt this surge through my body I looked at the ceiling I told him I’m not going to sleep and the next thing I knew I was being woken up in the recovery room, stating ‘I’m a alive’! I continued to ramble on excited that it was all over with and other then the drip in the back of my hand because I was dehydrated and a little pain from the wound site I was good. I had an oxygen mask on my face that was really making my nose itch, but I was soon back on the ward, talking to Nita’s husband. Steve arrived and after I had eaten, had a drink gone to the toilet we were on our way home literally 2 hours after my surgery and apart from feeling light headed and like someone had sat on my chest (apparently that is quite normal) I felt good and happy.

3 days on I’m feeling pretty good, sleeping well, I haven’t done much but then I haven’t needed 2 to take the strong pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs given to me by the hospital, however I’m taking ‘Devils claw’ which is a natural herbal anti-inflammatory alternative. I saw the nurse this morning who changed my dressing and checked the wound and I could not believe it, there are no visible stitches just a line, you seriously would not believe I had a lump removed less then 3 days ago, it’s amazing! If the lump wasn’t were it is I would take a photo! However I do believe by doing very little I have allowed my body to heal itself. If I was in employment I would have been given a sick note for 2 weeks, can you believe that? So I don’t feel bad in taking the rest of the week easy and hopefully I will be on top form next week. I have received yet again so many good wishes in person, phone calls, emails and texts it’s wonderful to feel such love and compassion from family and friends ~ THANK-YOU.