My sister dropped me off and left for work. I sat on the edge of the bed and the paper work was begun. I was weighed and left to complete the forms.
Dressing for theatre: “Here is your gear, slippers and a funny coat. Leave you knickers on.” Funny I came back without them.
The anaesthetist made his visit. He was Russian! Lovely gentle, polite man, with a quick smile.
The surgeon pops in marks my leg with a felt pen (a felt pen!! – this is not art class) and says “See you soon.” I am glad I know him from last time, it makes it easier some how.
And with the forms done, the visits over i wait.
But not for long, I am first up, I arrived at 7 am and it is nearly 9 and I’m off. I walk with the nurse down the corridor to theatre and meet the ‘team’. Instructed to sit on the side of the bed a I’m given tablets to take and I know they will numb me senseless, my ‘funny coat’ is opened at the back and I’m instructed to curl forward curving my spine in preparation for the epidural.
Funny how someone who is independent, strong, determined applies themself to being totally dependent, agreeable, and I do exactly as I’m asked, waiting, waiting …
For the dull ache of the epidural, for the flush of warmth, then the nothing from the waist down. I can’t even lift my legs up onto the bed, they can’t be mine, must be someone elses. The nurse lifts them up, I lie down and the green sheet appears before me.
On and off I’m aware of people around me, movement, sound …
Sound! That’s hammering, my body is bobbing back and forth on the bed. Must be me that is being hammered. Interesting.
My hand is going to sleep. I’ll move it. It won’t move. “Excuse me,” I ask the anaesthetist, “Can I move my hands?””Of course you can.” “But I can’t.” He pulls my arm, nothing. He looks further. The protective sheeting was fixed into position with good firm sticky tape. My hand was caught in between . That’s funny I think, good story for later.
“Well that’s it,” says the surgeon. “Just the staples and you’re off.” I can hear them thunking in, all 31 (I counted them later as they came out.)
Next thing I know I’m being helped from the surgical bed to my own bed and off we go back to my room, and I fall asleep.