Hospital Bed

I am indeed writing this blog post on my phone (please excuse typos and autocorrect) sitting on my hospital bed. Tomorrow is the big day! 

I still don't quite know how I feel. I am still very scared but there's a strange sense of calm on the ward, helped by the fact I'm in a side room and can just concentrate on what I want instead of being distracted and worked up by what's happening on the rest of the ward.

I'm feeling very loved and special from the overwhelming amount of well wishes I have received since I found out and told people that I was going in today. 

Also, as going in today came as a shock as my date had been moved back a day, and then suddenly bought forward again, I haven't had the chance to panic. I did have a little cry earlier when I realised this was actually going to happen today and I had to pack etc, but that's been about it.

Since coming in to the hospital I had Mum, Dad and Aidan here for most of the evening and due to the side room, all 3 of them were able to be here at the same time, which was lovely. Mummy Bason is fully prepared (I think) to let people know when I'm out of surgery and ICU over the next few days and I'm very grateful for that. Her and Aidan (and Elliot the cuddly elephant!!) will be coming down to the Theatre reception with me whilst Daddy Bason waits.  I'm really glad I don't have to go through the horrific 5 hour wait that they will have to tomorrow. Luckily though I am the first operation so once they get here it should all start happening and they won't have to wait hours before it even starts. 

It's kind of strange to think that in 24 hours time from now the operation itself will be done and dusted and it will all be about recovery. Now it's actually here, I just want to get it all over and done with and start getting fit again.

My battle re-enactment has provided me with a fantastic 4 week goal; I will be at Newstead, not fighting or partying, but I will be there! See you there Tilliers and all my other SK friends!

So, until I am well enough to post again in a few days, I guess this is it. Thank you to each and every person who has read this at some point from when it started until now and to all my wonderful family and friends. I couldn't have made it this far without you. Also, thank you to Mum, Dad, Aidan, James, Sam, Charley and Amy who made my last night before this really special and Charley even made a cake in the shape of a heart!!! 

See you all on the other side! Xxx

Ready... As I'll ever be.

Well, it's less than two weeks until the big day now and this morning I had my final appointment at the dentist to get my last filling done. Have to make sure it's all in check as it's a risk of infection unless they're all done. 

There's now nothing else that I have to do until pre-ops on Thursday afternoon. I don't actually really know what pre-ops entails. I know they have to make sure I'm not carrying MRSA and that there will be blood tests (boo hiss), and ECG and an ECHO, but no idea if there's anything else.

I'm hoping that I get a chance to meet my Cardiac Liason Nurse again, to see what I need to bring to hospital with me the following week. I already have the following, which I think will come in useful.

1) iPhone- really hope we're allowed to use them on the Ward, so I can contact people and complain to my friends about boredom.

2) Laptop- From what I've been told there is wifi, and also, I aim to use it as a DVD player/ TV.

3) Michael Portillo's Great British Railway Journeys- It's a long series and secretly I'm 40...

4) The remaining 3 books of Game of Thrones- They go on forever so should keep me entertained.

5) Farmyard Onsies- It'll probably be too hot to wear them, but I currently already own a Donkey and now a Chicken (it was my leaving present from work) and since I'm having a cow's valve, I think I ought to have a cow one too.

6) I could do with getting on with some sewing, but not sure if they'll let me take that in.

7) A variety of cuddly animals- I don't care if it makes me look 3, my little menagerie will be keeping me company and drying tears the whole time.

Well. Any other good suggestions of what I should take in with me? 

Take Care everyone :) xxx

P.S Look at the location. I've come homeeeeeeee!

Day 231: We have a date.

The title is pretty self explanatory for this. Yesterday, my Cardiac Liason Nurse was in contact, and I have a date for my operation. It will be on Thursday 25th of July. That makes it 'Day 253' in my timeline on my blog. That's 22 days away from now.

My preops are going to be the week before on the 18th. 

I am terrified.

I haven't cried about it yet, which I was expecting to have done so by now, but I'm sure there will be tears very soon. I have now discussed with my Parents and Boyfriend about when they're taking time off work, working half days and all that kind of thing. 

It is slightly later than intended, by about 2 weeks, but actually I'm happy about that as I now have 2 weeks to have a bit of a 'Summer' after finishing my job here in Kent and moving back home at the weekend. I will still be well enough to go back to Uni in October, even if the Boyfriend will have to move lots more boxes as I still won't be allowed to lift them at this point! 

I think the next two weeks are going to be rather up and down in terms of emotions, trying to enjoy my break but not looking forward to what's about to happen. I text a few of my closest friends yesterday and they were all wonderful, people are already asking where I'm going to be in hospital so that they can come and see me and talking about coming and keeping me company when I'm back at home. You lovely people know who you all are and I am very grateful for all of you.

Also very grateful for the support from everyone on the 'Patches- Bravehearts' group on Facebook. And talking of the Bravehearts, good luck to Allie, who found out that her surgery is going to be 4 days after mine, we really are in this together... except for the small matter of being on different continents! 

This blog will be updated more and more now I feel, during the run up and the whole thing. I have already got my Mum to agree to write a quick post to let people know how the operation goes.

Thank you to all you wonderful people xxx