Today at this time I was supposed to be in the operating theatre having my pulmonary valve replaced, but unfortunately my wait goes on, as an emergency case had to take priority over my surgery.
So, I'm still at home...waiting.
I'd just left work on Monday for what I thought would be the last time for a long while, ready to go up to London the following day. When I got out of the car outside my house, I realised I had a voicemail and there it was, the bed co-ordinator apologising profusely that my operation would be delayed.
I called the hospital immediately and took their alternative date for surgery (Friday 8th June) without hesitation.
I've decided to take some annual leave from work until then, as I'm just not in the right frame of mind to go back to work...unless the surgery gets postponed once again, and then there will be no choice.
I was very disappointed, as I felt I was as ready as I could be to face the surgery and yet, here we go, another 9 days to wait. It feels strangely like a reprieve, yet I know that, in a few days' time, I'll be as anxious as I was on Monday, before I got that voicemail at 12.20pm.
My parents are staying with us and so that is a distraction, as will be the Queen's Jubilee celebrations this weekend. We'll probably have a barbecue and enjoy what is left of the lovely weather, and try to avoid thinking about surgery until after the bank holidays!
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Sunday 20 May 2012
Ten days to go!
With just ten days to go until my surgery, the practicalities are keeping me busy and taking my mind off the realities of the ordeal to come. I've made a long To-Do list and I'm working my way through it gradually.
I've sorted out accommodation at the hospital for my husband to stay the night before my surgery and made arrangements for my family to stay at our house to make sure my daughter gets to school every day and to ensure that her life stays as normal as possible.
At work, I've sorted out cover for my role and I'm preparing an extended hand-over to my deputy this week, which will be my last week at work for some time.
At home, I've sorted out paperwork like never before. I've also found many items, especially old clothes and baby stuff that my daughter has grown out of, to donate to Isabel Hospice this week.
It's a bit like preparing for an extended holiday in a way, in that I've bought new clothes (front-fastening, including undies & nightwear), small sized toiletries for my toilet bag, and am making sure that all bills are paid and arrangements made for when I'm away.
I'm also adding audio-books and relaxation music to my iTouch ready for use at the hospital and afterwards, when I'm relaxing.
This week I'm catching up with our friends and then trying to relax and not over-do things.
With all the news about the arrival of the Olympic torch last week and the upcoming Jubilee celebrations I was a bit miffed that I'm going to miss out on all the partying and fun, but relieved to see that the Olympic torch won't be going through our town until early July, so with luck and a fair wind, I'll be able to see it!
I've sorted out accommodation at the hospital for my husband to stay the night before my surgery and made arrangements for my family to stay at our house to make sure my daughter gets to school every day and to ensure that her life stays as normal as possible.
At work, I've sorted out cover for my role and I'm preparing an extended hand-over to my deputy this week, which will be my last week at work for some time.
At home, I've sorted out paperwork like never before. I've also found many items, especially old clothes and baby stuff that my daughter has grown out of, to donate to Isabel Hospice this week.
It's a bit like preparing for an extended holiday in a way, in that I've bought new clothes (front-fastening, including undies & nightwear), small sized toiletries for my toilet bag, and am making sure that all bills are paid and arrangements made for when I'm away.
I'm also adding audio-books and relaxation music to my iTouch ready for use at the hospital and afterwards, when I'm relaxing.
This week I'm catching up with our friends and then trying to relax and not over-do things.
With all the news about the arrival of the Olympic torch last week and the upcoming Jubilee celebrations I was a bit miffed that I'm going to miss out on all the partying and fun, but relieved to see that the Olympic torch won't be going through our town until early July, so with luck and a fair wind, I'll be able to see it!
Tuesday 15 May 2012
The Countdown Begins...!
On 30th May 2012 I am scheduled to have the pulmonary valve in my heart replaced at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London.
I have a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot, which was fully repaired in 1975 but, as is common with this particular defect, over time the valve starts to leak and then it needs to be replaced.
This weekend I've received confirmation by letter of the date of the operation and so the countdown begins - two weeks to go.
I hope that this blog will record my thoughts and feelings during the Countdown as well as my thoughts and feelings during my recovery, which according to reports is usually long and hard. I'm expecting to be on sick leave for about 3 months.
Which leaves plenty of time to enjoy the summer, watch the football (European Championships) and also take in the Olympics in London on the tv.
So far I feel excited that I finally have a date for surgery - given that I was first told I would need surgery about 5 years ago. I have received so many good wishes from my friends and colleagues, from others who've had similar surgery and so, all in all, I feel quite positive.
I'm scared about the thought of all that pain and the restrictions on being able to move about and just not being able to do the things I normally do. On the other hand, as my recovery continues, I hope to be to do a lot MORE than I can do at the moment and, ultimately, to be able to get back into proper exercise and fitness. Here's to that!
I have a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot, which was fully repaired in 1975 but, as is common with this particular defect, over time the valve starts to leak and then it needs to be replaced.
This weekend I've received confirmation by letter of the date of the operation and so the countdown begins - two weeks to go.
I hope that this blog will record my thoughts and feelings during the Countdown as well as my thoughts and feelings during my recovery, which according to reports is usually long and hard. I'm expecting to be on sick leave for about 3 months.
Which leaves plenty of time to enjoy the summer, watch the football (European Championships) and also take in the Olympics in London on the tv.
So far I feel excited that I finally have a date for surgery - given that I was first told I would need surgery about 5 years ago. I have received so many good wishes from my friends and colleagues, from others who've had similar surgery and so, all in all, I feel quite positive.
I'm scared about the thought of all that pain and the restrictions on being able to move about and just not being able to do the things I normally do. On the other hand, as my recovery continues, I hope to be to do a lot MORE than I can do at the moment and, ultimately, to be able to get back into proper exercise and fitness. Here's to that!
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