Post Surgery Part II

I would like to make something clear before I continue this post; the nurses on the ward were lovely, in particular one of the male nurses.  I never got his name, but he deserves special mention.  He is an example of how little things in nursing make a huge difference, but (assuming) due to budgets and staff shortages this is not always possible.

From arrival on the ward he was friendly, smiling, and wanted to make sure I was ok - he always seemed to have time and I never felt like a nuisance.  But the stand out moment for me was the night I nearly passed out from pain and had to have an oxygen mask for the night and an ECG.  I was obviously distressed and by this point my family had had to leave after visiting hours.  He came over and sat by the bed and held my hand during the ECG whilst the others took Obs and worried about terms such as "Bradycardic."  In my pain-addled state I really appreciated someone taking the time to keep me company and calm.

On Wednesday 1st July I was deemed fit for transferral to the Haywood Rehabilitation centre - and my first shower.  I was a bit worried about my dressings, but the nurses said they would be fine.  One thing is for certain, once you have had to shower in front of two women, you have very little inhibitions left - now things that seemed major - such as shaving legs lest the world see your natural state - are very trivial.  I no longer give a damn what people think!  Surgery - leave your inhibitions at the door!

Sitting up for the first time for the journey was uncomfortable but nowhere near on the pain level before.  Originally I had been told I would be transferred flat on a stretcher - but by this point I realised that what should happen not necessarily will (when your hospital notes get lost within the same building and your promised bed disappears you learn to deal with unexpected).

Arriving at the Haywood was like entering a shining beacon of joy - I have never experienced nurses like that before - no one seemed rushed or too busy for you, the wards seemed calm and quiet.  And to top it off, they said that if I needed a catheter I could have one - and seemed quite miffed that I wasn't given one on the last ward.  Seriously, the Haywood was such a nice place it almost felt like a home.  I guess this could be due to that some patients can be there for months at a time.

Having settled in, my Baclofen nurses visited me and told me more about the surgery (the tube went into my spinal fluid first go!) and increased the dose, as I was still getting spasms which were pulling on the staples.
Over the next couple of days this was increased again, as post-surgery swelling can dampen the effects of Baclofen.

On the Friday they said they were pleased with my progress, and that I could go.  I asked if I needed a discharge note, and they said no, I was free to go if I felt ready, or if I wanted to stay longer I could.  The Haywood = awesomeness.