I have been keeping a blog about my journey post surgery and I have I am only just getting around to putting them up as I thought explaining the procedure was prerequisite of my surgery accounts so here goes people:

Day 3

I’m still feeling sore and a bit ditsy due to painkillers. I thought I’d write about my experience of the procedure.

We set off towards Bristol the day before my surgery because we needed to check in to the hospital at 6:45 am on the 1^st December 2016. We had booked a hotel close by.

I still remember getting there having a shower then blow drying my hair and then straightening it. My husband was having a good laugh at my expense, he didn’t understand why I needed to straighten my hair. I told him that if I was going to worse for wear I am definitely not willing to look like that. I had it all prepared to precision. My room at home was all set up ready for visitors, as I say that I feel so grateful that I have family and friends that actually care what happens to me.

I was nervous but not as much as the last time I was preparing to go in. My first surgery date was on the 30^th September 2016. I was really nervous that time I didn’t feel ready my daughter was in bits and we had a family wedding that I really wanted to go to. On the Thursday we were going to set off to Bristol I received a call from Dr Dixon’s secretary apologising for surgery having to cancel as the anaesthetists had had a grievance in the family and they could not find another at such short notice.

I remember that day so vividly I had been to see my mums ( I say mums, my mum and her sister  live together as their husbands who were brothers had died quite a few years ago and from then they lived together) to say goodbye. I then visited my sister Sakina and had a bit of a wobbly. As I drove back I received a call from Dr Dixon’s secretary so I parked up on the side of the road to take it.

Whilst I took the call I was so shaky and as I put the phone down I had a good cry and I rang my other sister Samina she knew exactly how to calm me down. I told her how everyone had been to see me and how I felt so silly. She told me a lot of people get their surgeries cancelled and told me it was Allah’s plan and just trust that everything happens for the best.

Fast forward to present day that is this time I felt calmer.

The next day we arrived at the hospital and I had to get into a gown and the hideously ugly special socks lol. Dr Dixon came in explained the procedure and told me that I will have to sit or lie on the wound when I get back to prevent a hematoma. He had to then mark the side they were going to operate. Even though I was now used to embarrassing moments I still wanted to just hide away I still get so shy in revealing situations (if you know what I mean).

The amazing thing was what he told me next. He apologised about September and told me that Dr Greenslade couldn’t be there in September and they had allocated a different anaesthetist and it was him who had a grievance in the family. I still remember after he had gone thinking back to that day and how I knew Allah would do the best. I actually really wanted Dr Greenslade to present for the surgery alongside Dr Dixon and it was funny that if the surgery had gone through I would have been really nervous finding out that Dr Greenslade was no going to be there. So it all really worked out.

Dr Greenslade visited us next and explained the pain relief. I was then taken through and said goodbye to my husband. I was taken into this room and Dr Greenslade inserted a cannula into my hand. I feel I have to commend Dr Greenslade for inserting the cannula into my hand with such precision. I’ve had many cannulas in the past and they always feel painful afterwards but with this one even as I used that hand to push myself up I didn’t even feel that it was painful.

As fell off into deep sleep I still remember reading all my prayers from the Quran. When I came around I felt very sore and this lovely lady her name was Sue tried to make sure I was almost pain free. I was just glad I was alive lol. Later on in the day I was asked to try and go to the toilet. As I tried to get out bed I was amazed at how easy it was for me. I was honestly so relieved.

The problem was that I was not being able to urinate and every time I had a bladder scan I was under the 400 ml amount and I had to wait for me to reach that amount and then see. Only then would they think of placing a catheter as than in itself has a potential infection risk. Eventually after I had drank as much as I could and also had fluid added through the cannula I was able to urinate yay!!

The Staff at Bristol Spire Hospital were absolutely brilliant they were caring and attentive. One of the things others had mentioned was the after care of Spire hospital not being good. However from my experience that was not the case. Everything was explained and I was given a number to ring in the next 31 days if I had any problems. I was sent off home with all the information I needed.

The bandage I had was waterproof and I was told that I could leave it on for two weeks as that would prevent infection and I was provided with extra bandages just in case. All in all I was very happy with my stay at the hospital.

Dr Dixon explained that I should make sure I do bend my led from time to time as to prevent and stiffness in the leg and then eventually I should get it massaged.

On my way back I lied down in the back of the car I had brought a pillow and a blanket with me. I was so tired I slept all the way through the journey which was good as I really was home sick.

The next obstacle was the dreaded stairs I was so worried about this after reading so much about how some of the ladies had to crawl up the stairs which is why I was so worried. I was glad the day before my op I had spoken to a lovely lady who had had the surgery lately and her experience was quite positive. I that is exactly what happened for me getting up the stairs was ok for me. I decided I would stay upstairs for at least 2 weeks before I attempt the stairs again. For now I am sore, my wound is sore however down below seems good.