Black Wednesday 8th November

Transcribed as written on day.

"God, what a day. Didn't sleep very well at all - they changed my dressing twice and it took till 2am before I managed to use the bedpan. Then they had to change the dressing and the bed again. Finally got to sleep about 3 only for Margaret Doo Lally to wake us all up at 4.45. Bless her, she's 90 and had a hip replacement a couple of weeks ago and then fell and fractured her hip so she's in a lot of pain. But when she is banging on her table and shouting "hello" over and over it's enough to send you round the bend yourself. Still, she's off to a nursing home today.

Things were not good today though - been very sleepy most of the day. Had a bit of a nap this morning but also felt very weepy at one point. The nurse told me that I have to remember I've had major surgery and that it's understandable but I don't like losing control like that! I had more I/V paracetemol at 11 then they came to give me a bedbath. Being pushed and pulled all over the place, then I had a wee and wet myself, there was too much for the bedpan. So they had to change me again. Pain was considerable. Then they wanted to do an X ray so I had to go down on the bed again back towards theatre. They lifted me up and down onto the x ray plate, and then up and off it, ouch ouch, and the morphine in my Patient Controlled Analgesia (hit-a-button-when-it-hurts machine) had run out just at the wrong moment. No morphine left! So had a shock when I got back to the room and discovered the zimmer frame and two physios waiting to get me "up on my feet!" They wanted me out of bed! I just cried, sobbed really. So didn't have to today! They were very understanding! But I will have to get up tomorrow.

Now I have been to the loo several times, Hub has been in, spoke to Mum and the consultant is pleased with my progress, and finally it doesn't hurt. Roll on tomorrow!