It seems so long ago – the big day at last. By today I had thought it would be a distant memory, and I would hardly remember I had had my gall bladder out. Instead, I think of little else. It was a very warm, blue-sky Sunday. It hadn’t been a bad night, considering. Had my last bath in ten days, as it turned out, and Dot drove me to hospital. No breakfast, of course. Very easy drive, and we arrived half an hour early. But that was ok. Everything was checked out by various people, and I ended up in pre-op and eventually – after a chat with a nurse, anaestheticist and a surgeon, who had a list of things that could go wrong – changed into a robe and pants and walked into the preparation room.
The next thing I knew it was well after 4pm. Apparently the op had been more complex than I anticipated, and I ended up with four keyholes (which I now find is normal – why did no-one mention this?) Apparently there was a slight bleed on the liver and a hernia repair that seemed to involve my tummy button. Felt pretty lousy, but they seemed keen to get rid of me, in the nicest possible way. They rang Dot, who picked me up about 5.25pm and took me home. Quite a bit of pain and tiredness. The former improved when I took codeine and paracetamol. Watched a bit of TV and had a small meal (fish), then went to bed.
After that, it was all a bit of a blur. I think I was feeling more or less Ok on Monday, but then I developed a bit of a temperature and lost my appetite. I was certainly feeling well below par, with a very fuzzy head (Not much different from usual, you my say). DurIng Tuesday and Wednesday I wasn’t feeling at all well, partly because I had no appetite and partly because i couldn’t go to the loo (no 2). My birthday passed in a blur, but Kim called in and we had a chat. The weather was very warm, and I had the fan on in my room. In fact tonight (Thursday) was the first time I didn’t feel I had a temperature. Dot keeps trying to get me to eat, but the more she gets me what I like, the more I don’t want it. Very frustrating for both of us. I’v e managed to keep up with the Tour de France, but I’ve been in bed most of the time.
This morning Carrie rang, and we discussed what we thought was wrong. She advised ringing the doctor, which Dot eventually did. The receptionist wanted to speak to me, then consulted the duty doctor, not in hearing, who decided I should go to A&E “urgently”. I really didn’t want to, but of course we did, and it was amazingly easy. Roads were quite clear, and we parked in A&E. Dot was sent off for a coffee while I checked in and did a urine sample, then saw one of the “family doctors” by the entrance. He checked me, particularly the wounds, and felt I did not have an infection, but because my “numbers” were a bit on the tight side he thought I should take antibiotics for a week. I was in there less than half an hour, I think. Dot took me to our chemist’s at Heartsease, who at first expressed disbelief that the hospital could have ordered it electronically, but had to admit eventually that they had. So I am now on antibiotics. Bridget came later to clean, and I wasn’t feeling good at the point. Now I think I may be making progress. David has been in touch a lot. Oliver and Amy have done well: Oliver got a 1st and Amy got an A+ and an A-
Today (Fri) I went to the loo at 5am but still didn’t feel great. Have been again since then. Watched cricket and ate a little bit. Still fuzzy. Decided not to go to Bungay to help lead a Retreat , and afterwards felt very tired and slept quite a lot. Spoke To David again. Dot went outside and had a drink, then got some fish and chips. By then I felt well enough to eat a few chips and chunk of fish, though it left me with greasy feeling. Watched Tour and some Open Golf, another episode of The Undeclared War, which is excellent.
Saturday was warm and dry. Felt pretty ropey when I woke up, but improved and was able to eat a little breakfast. Then felt well enough (I thought) to go to Bungay, with the proviso I might come back again if I felt bad. In fact all went well, and to my surprise I was able to eat some lasagne and garlic bread, plus some ice cream. After lunch led a session and then walked down to river, which is stunning, especially in this weather. Took some pics. Afterwards went to bed while Dot did one of her creative sessions. Woke feeling still a bit iffy and ate a little tea – not much. Afterwards Bridget did session on poetry and then I led a short one on prayer. We prayed for a while then did charades and a memory game which I was pretty bad at. Feeling much better as we went to bed around 11, especially as I was able to go to the loo.
However we both had a terrible night, and I felt pretty awful the next day, especially after I’d eaten a beef pie. We had a Communion service, partly ley by the Quiet Waters guy, who was an Australian Baptist. He and his wife were both lovely. Gradually felt worse, and could not leave soon enough. Fortunately I remembered it was my aunt Thelma’s birthday, and I bought a QW card, and Dot dropped it off. I had intended to take Thelma out for a drive, but of course it was impossible. Managed to watch Tour de France in evening, plus ODI cricket, but by the time we went to be I was feeling pretty bad again.
Today we continue in the midst of a climate crisis – it’s really extremely hot – but I think I feel a bit better. Have watched the Open Golf and have been to the loo twice. Dot did me. fried egg sandwich for lunch. But I still feel extremely tired, though I slept reasonably well.