The worst part is over!

Back home :-))))) and I am so pleased to be here.

I went in to hospital on Monday and got settled in, had some food and unpacked. Was feeling surprisingly calm if a little emotional after opening some cards and then Mike having to leave me at 8pm as we didn't think he would be allowed back in first thing before I went for my op as it is outside of visiting hours. But, all in all not too bad at all and slept pretty well considering what was about to happen.
Woke up early and still felt strangely calm, was nil by mouth so wasn't allowed anything at all and was then asked to go and have a shower...when I got back, Mike was there which was just brilliant and made me so so so happy.
I got changed in to my lovely surgery gown and here is a pic of me modelling it ;-)




















Mr Hellier, my surgeon, came and checked on me and drew an arrow on the left handside of my neck to make sure that the implant was put in the right side



















As you can hopefully see, I really did feel so calm about it all.
Then Patrick, a male nurse said it was time to go to Theatre, so I walked down there with Mike, until we got to the point where he wasn't allowed to go any further, it was so hard saying goodbye to him, but I was just so pleased to have seen him again before going in.
I then went through to a waiting area prior to my anesthetic and lay on a bed while lots of questions were asked....it felt a little like a conveyor belt as each person went in, we moved up in the line. Then it was my turn and I was wheeled through to an area just outside of the operating theatre, I remember loads of kids stickers on the ceiling and walls and remember thinking how my godchildren, Jack & Lucy would like them, then it was time for the drip to go in my arm and a needle in my hand for the drugs I would need....then off we go.....I can't remember anything else until four hours later and being woken up in recovery.

Now, this really was the worst part of it all, I felt terrible and just couldn't get back to sleep. I had a blood pressure monitor on my arm that was inflating and squeezing every couple of minutes, plus some thrombosis preventing wraps on my legs that were constantly inflating and squeezing and it was all making me feel really queasy. My head was so sore, the compression bandage was so tight, my throat really hurt, I could taste the anesthetic and I was dying for a drink.....oh, and my ears were ringing like they had never rang before. I was just lying there thinking what have I done!!
But! after an hour and a half I was back at my ward and moved in to my bed where I slept until 4pm and that is when Mike and his Mum arrived. Initially I was pretty groggy, but I sat myself up and the more we were talking to each other the better I felt and within an hour or so, I felt a bit more okay about it all....I could drink again then and also ordered my tea.
My bandage was so tight though that I was already really looking forward to getting that off as I felt like I was just frowning at everyone.


We opened all of our anniversary cards and they stayed with me until visiting time was over at 8pm.
I then had a visit from my lovely friend Liz who is a Sister at the General and she came and saw me after her shift.
After this I still wasn't feeling too sleepy and so read for a while until lights out at 10:30.
Only to be woken at 11pm for anti-biotics, then again at midnight for blood pressure, pulse and temp....then 2:30 for blood pressure etc and at 5:30 too, then 6am for more anti-b's. I think apart from all of this I may have slept okay.

The Weds I was expecting to feel really tired and sleepy but I wasn't too bad at all, I knew I had an x-ray so I think I was keeping myself awake for that. I was collected for this at just after 2:30 and it all happened quite quickly and I was back at the ward by 3:15 where my sister was waiting for me armed with Lucozade, magazines and chocolates :-). Then it was a lovely, steady stream of visitors....Paul, Liz, my Mum & Dad, Mike, Sheila and Kev - I was totally spoilt with lots more cards and presents.
Then a later lights off at 11pm and I was just wanting to go to sleep and wake up knowing i'd becoming home the next day - I couldn't wait.

I woke feeling really tired and after having my pills, the nurse came and took my compression bandage off.....oh, the relief!! I could feel my forehead moving back in to place, it just felt so nice.
I was then told I would be allowed to go home in about an hour after getting a discharge letter and a massive supply of pills for the next week or so.
I texted Mike and by the time I showered carefully from shoulders down, got dressed and packed, he was there and it was time to go.
It felt so strange walking out of the hospital and in to the car, but I was so pleased to be going home.
I was greeted by a sleepy but excitable Dylan and as instructed I made a little fuss of him but not too much and then washed my hands straight away - poor boy must have been wondering what on earth has been going on these last few days.
Mike was just absolutely brilliant and made me sit and not move or do a thing, he has just looked after me brilliantly - an absolute star!
I had lots more cards waiting for me and then had a visit from my bro and sis-in-law, my Mum & Dad plus a friend, Jim came round later on as well.
I wanted to see how my scar looked and how much hair had been shaved off so some pics were taken and I was a bit shocked at the amount of hair....the scar looks very neat though.


So, it is just great to be back home and am feeling a little better as each day goes on. I have been utterly and totally spoilt by all my family, friends, my work and even Mike's work too which was a very lovely surprise - our house is looking like a beautiful flower shop right now.
Will log off for now as this has taken ages to do and i'm really starting to feel tired and want to feel up for my next lot of visitors - my gorgeous godchildren, this afternoon so will finish up here but hopefully back soon with more updates as everything progresses from here.
As I have titled this one, the worst is over and it really does just feel like everything now is just going to get better and better.