Thursday 11th April 2013. I wake up after a lovely long sleep and have a look at my surroundings. I got put on the ward last night after they had turned the lights out and I wasn't even sure whereabouts I was in the hospital. I can see that I am upstairs, I have a bed by a window with a nice view. The patients are all very friendly and introduce themselves. I ask them if we are allowed to read our medical notes. They say they have no idea but they all do! So I have a good read as I am anxious to know how my op went. I couldn't get much out of the nurses last night and the notes don't help either, they are only a few pages of the file. But I can see that I have been very stable.
The anaesthetist pops in while I am having breakfast and I'm ready with my list of questions. But I don't get much further, she confirms what I already know but she says she's so busy concentrating on her job of keeping me stable that she doesn't really get involved in what the surgeons are doing. She can say there was no panic, I didn't need a blood transfusion and she knows everyone seemed happy enough.
There is now a long wait while we all get washed and they make our beds. I had no idea how long all this sort of thing takes. Eventually they start the ward round and I will get to speak to one of the surgeons who was there during my operation. When it's finally my turn I still don't get any further. Yes the tumour is out OK, but he can't say how much cancer is left behind. He explains what has been done to the lymph nodes but I have to wait for more biopsies. So the questions will have to wait for the oncologist in 3 weeks. But he is extremely pleased with my recovery and I will be going home as soon as they can disconnect all my tubes, hopefully tomorrow morning, much earlier than expected.
Friday 12th April. Get my first setback. I'm already disconnected from the drip and catheter but they can't get the drainage tube out till a Doctor has been. When he arrives he is not at all happy. There is still loads of stuff coming out and they are worried about possible infection which could be very serious. More Doctors arrive and there are blood tests and antibiotics prescribed. So not only am I not going home today but I could be stuck here a further week.
Saturday 13th April. Still leaking, it's improving, hopefully home early next week.
Sunday 14th April. Wake up and I can immediately see that the drainage tube is clear. I'm now an expert at checking the fluid level in the bottle. If I have got this right I haven't leaked a drop all night. The nurse is smiling after the 8am checks. She rings for a Doctor. Things are looking hopeful and funnily enough this is the date that the Consultant originally estimated for my discharge. I now have to learn not to be impatient. Yes I'm going home but I've got to have a lie down after the drain is removed and there is paperwork to do. I finally escape around 3pm and by 5pm I am dozing on my couch at home. I can not find the words to say how good it is to be home.
