Next few days following my second and right-sided TOS surgery

As I said, I was not very happy on the ward I ended up on after my second surgery. It was under-staffed and my wait for drugs was often long.

In the afternoon of day 2 they shocked me by wanting to move me back to the 'short stay surgical ward, but I was very upset by this and fortunately had a visitor (a lady called Amanda, who I had met on the UK TOS support group) who spoke to the Sister in charge and the decision to me was revoked at least for the rest of the weekend. I was very unsettled and upset. Remember that I came alone to hospital and didn't have any immediate friends or relatives. I do not recommend this for future patients who attend for this surgery, whether it is for the first or second side.

I had some difficulty in breathing and over days 3 -5 had some nebuliser support, although my oxygen SATS were in fact 100%, I just felt so tight in breathing. Possibly the nebuliser support was psychological more than anything else, but neverthless it did help a bit.

One thing that I heard about between my first and second surgeries was a dressing gown from George ASDA that is suitable for post-surgery and holds drains and is only £12 - so I bought one, and indeed it was very helpful. One other difference between the first and second surgery was that I had the drain in for three days post op, as opposed to just one day after the first operation.

The next image is a bit gross but shows my drain in more detail:

I had a visit from Amanda again on day 3 post-op which was very supportive and kind of her. I cannot stress enough the need for support from friends and family after this surgery, or a friend.