Operation day

14th March 2014

I had to be at the hospital for 7am.  I was told which bay area to go to on the ward with the other patients on the day care ward.

I was soon seen by the nursing staff who took my details and did all my checks.  The physiotherapist also came and gave me crutches and showed me how to use them and told what exercises to do. I was also seen by the anaesthetist who explained that I could either have a general or local anaesthetic.  I asked him what he would recommend.  He said the local anaesthetic would involve having injections in my calf ankle and foot and would leave my leg feeling numb for a while and suggested a general anaesthetic for me as I don't have any heart or lung problems.  He also said he would give me an injection in my foot to numb it so I wouldn't be in pain when I woke up so I went for this option.

At 12 noon they came for me and wheeled me down to theatre.  Funnily enough I felt calm all day and not at all how I thought I would feel like.

When I got into the theatre they put needle into my hand and inserted some anti sickness drug.  At the same time they put an oxygen mask on and told me to breathe deeply as the anti sickness drug could make me a little light headed which it did.

 I don't remember anything after that and woke up with a lovely warm heated blanket on me and was told that everything went fine but my temperature was a little low so they warmed me up before taking me to the ward.

Once on the ward I was given a lovely cup of tea and some sandwiches.  Nurses constantly checked my progress and I felt thoroughly spoilt and looked after with more tea and biscuits.

The was only a light amount of pain in my foot which just felt a little sore.

Before leaving I was given my painkillers and fitted with a shoe that fitted on my bandaged foot and then allowed to go home.  I was home by 5pm and felt absolutely fine.  I was told to take my medication four times a day, at mealtimes and bedtime.  I was told to take them even if I wasn't in any pain as it was best to keep the pain at bay rather than wait for it to come on then take them.

I just hope I get a good nights sleep and it doesn't keep me awake.