I can't believe it is now just 4 days until my surgery. I started packing my smaller suitcase and then discovered that one of the wheels and one corner of the case was very damaged, so very rapidly went and bought another - thank goodness I discovered the problem now and not on my day of departure. At the moment the case is very heavy, so I removed my probiotic drink which I think the staff will either lose or I won't get it at the right time. I also removed a small bottle of magnesium tablets. I will look again at anything else - e.g. food supplies. On the way home though I won't have food, books or magazines as these will be left behind. I will donate the books and magazines to other patients. I have to worry about my case on the way home as I have to manage public transport with very little assistance after an operation that is going to affect my left arm, ribs, breathing, and neck. I will try and coordinate help with Virgin Trains, but you need 24 hours notice to do this, and there is no guarantees with leaving hospital in time etc. Or myself and the doctors could think I need more time. Additionally, there is some building repair work going on in my flat when I am in hospital, so I definitely want to make sure my flat is clean for when I return home. It won't be suitable to return to dust and dirt. So I think my hospital admission will be about a week, possibly more, possibly less. My pain management regime using a Patient Controlled Analgesia will last 3-5 days, and then I will be phased down to Oramorph and my usual drug regime before home. Because of my EDS I tend to need this much time in hospital. I have also ended up in ITU after one surgery, so if that happens, I will certainly be in for longer, and in the case of this operation, if I need a chest drain, will keep me in longer. I hope I won't need a chest drain!!!
I am sorting things out for my cat, who will go and stay with a friend of mine who will bring her back when I am settled at home.
Tomorrow I have a therapy appointment and am also meeting the builders to find out anything else I need to know whilst they are in my flat.
On Wednesday morning, my carer will come in to do me one last hair wash/dry and make my breakfast so that I can be ready for a taxi to come and take me to the station for my train to hospital. When I get to hospital, I will be going in another cab to get there, but it isn't far - I then have to find area A16 for Pre-operative assessment. Although I had a lot of blood tests and MRSA back in July, they will probably want to repeat some including perhaps my D-Dimer. They also need to measure and weigh me, do and ECG and I would like to have a meeting and discussion with my anaesthetist as I have some questions about putting me to sleep [I'm usually given a bit of midazolam when I go into the ante room], and I like to do my own count-down outloud before going to sleep. I also want to ensure they are fully organised with my post-operative medication regime that was created by my pain management doctor. Once I have completed pre-operative assessment, I will be taken to the ward where I will spend the night before surgery. I am hoping it will be the ward I end up in after surgery, so that I can properly unpack and organise my (many) things. I like to do this and it helps me to feel settled. I will then enjoy a 'last supper' and do whatever I can to keep calm and sleep before Thursday 12th September, which is the big day. I will do video diaries, but they might not be put up here until well after the surgery.
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