It rained lots here yesterday so I got my wish that I could do "puddle jumping". After a morning of blog reading and writing I knuckled down to do some work on the old computer, answering emails, keeping in touch with clients and work things generally. A was a busy busy bee all morning.
Then it was off to see the stoma nurse for an early afternoon appointment. This was going to be a breeze. After being instructed in all matters stoma by Mike (on a bike) at the Banstead do the other weekend I was sure that this was going to be a formality. I even arrived early, found the place straight away and a parking place right outside the building. All looking good!
Now I was nearly 20 minutes early (I hate being late for anything) but decided to go inside straight away rather than waiting in the car. In the door and straight up to reception and no queue at all. "I've come for my appointment with the stoma nurse but I'm a bit early". "Thats ok, I'll give them a ring and let them know you're here" I'd sat down for a maximum of three minutes when this chap comes over and introduces himself as the stoma nurse. "Just got to pop this file upstairs then I'll be down. Won't keep you waiting"
And he was true to his word. Two minutes later we were walking together towards one of the rooms for my "instruction session".
"So what do you know about stomas and your operation?" So I told him about the great consultant who had explained all about the cancer and the operation, about the specialist Macmillan nurse who had answered all the questions we had forgotten to ask the consultant and I told him about Banstead and about Mike my missing bladder buddy and his skills in demonstration with bags, tubing and Nutella. (ask Mike yourself about the Nutella )
But had I put the nurse out of a job today? Nope! We went through it all again. Played with the bags, was allowed to use scissors (and they were sharp!) and talked through all the emotional side of life with a stoma. Then came the "marking of the body" part of the session. Robin, that's my stoma nurse's name, took out his big black felt tip pen and started to examine me in great detail. Pushing here, prodding here, working out my natural belt line position, where my six pack sits (hidden by my protective fat layer) as I sit up, bend over etc. Eventually he said "I think this will be the best place" and he drew a black circle where he wanted the surgeon to aim for when he created my stoma.
He even gave me the felt tip pen to take away with me. A momento of the day? Nope, just in case the mark starts to fade before I get into hospital next week and I have to mark the place again. Wouldn't want the surgeon having to wake me up mid operation to ask "Will this do sir?" like a hairdresser!!!
All done, I was on my way with my "stoma kit" in it's nice blue case and with my new big felt tip pen. :-)
Home and time for a few more worky type things before I had to walk up to the chemist to pick up my supplies of the high protein drink I needed to consume before the op to help build up my strength. And I needed a lot of strength already, 24 cans of vanilla protein drink are quite heavy. Why did I walk to the chemist? Now I would have to walk back carrying these bloody drinks. Doh!
But at home it was time to try out a stoma bag. Remembering the earlier instructions I attached a bag over the black felt tip mark and waited for the seal to hold fast. I was going to see what it felt like to have a bag attached to my side before the op as I wanted to get as used to it as I could rather than afterwards when I wouldn't be aware.
And I still have the bag on this morning writing this blog. An evening with some friends, an evening of normality of food and TV and it hadn't fallen off. A night asleep in bed and it hadn't fallen off. Hey, this thing works! It shouldn't be too bad to have one of these strapped to me for the rest of my life.
But tonight will be different as I go into stage two of the trial run. Tonight I will put on a new bag but have it partially filled with water so that I can get used to what it will be like having a bag full of pee strapped to me over night! Oh the joys we have in life... :-)
Andrew xx
FormerMember
Andrew should write a book I am sure your experience and sense of humour would help other in your position immenslyJenny
The night before surgery for lung lobe removal, I had a felt tip artist visit me on the ward. He marked up my right side of my chest, front and back. All he said was "cant have the team whipping out the wrong one now can we???" Boy did that give me confidence.
