It's crazy, this is me just emerging from the debilitating cloud of tiredness that's been hanging over me since Wednesday.
I'm weird, unnatural, a freak.
Arrived at the hospital 20 minutes Wednesday last, went straight down to the triage and came face to face with a lovely black nurse. We just looked at one another, smiled with a hint of a laugh thrown in for good measure. She said "Yo Whitey", I replied, "Yo Mamma". No we didn't, I just made that up. lol.
But isn't it amazing when you meet someone for the first time and you sort of click, a light goes on and it's as if you've known each other forever. Quite a phenomenon, I think.
She started teasing me and I loved it, she was a comedienne, a bit of a character, and I gave as good as I received without a hint of malice from either of us.
I looked at the patient board and spotted I was second in line for the op, good, I wouldn't be there all day.
A nurse guided me to a small room, gave me a blood test and blood pressure test, they were both fine.Next was the questionnaire; Do you have a pacemaker fitted, No. Are you allergic to anything, No. Any steel rods in your body, No. etc etc. All my answers were "No's
You're diabetic, have you taken your medication this morning, Yes. Have you taken your your insulin, Yes. What did you have for breakfast, Nothing, (I wanted to make sure my blood level was not as high as it was at the first hospital which resulted in the appointment being cancelled) By her reaction I thought I'd committed a cardinal sin. But I felt fine and had a packet of Dextro with me, just in case.
She wanted me to eat at least one sandwich, so ordered one for me. Then the consultant entered the room and mentioned he'd heard from the nurse I'd skipped breakfast, he too insisted, pleasantly, I should eat something. He went on to say I'd be taken to the theatre in about 15-20 minutes and the op would take about 10 minutes. I was rather surprised to hear that.
In practically no time at all I was wheeled into the theatre where I was told by the consultant the op would be carried out by himself and another doctor. You'll hear us talking he said, but you will not understand the technical terms. That was fine by me and I was totally relaxed.
As soon as the face mask was fitted an ice cold hand slipped into mine. That was good as it was kind of warm in the theatre. The owner of the hand told me to squeeze her hand if I felt uncomfortable at any time. Then the op went ahead.
He was correct, I didn't understand the technical terms but what I did understand was the instructions he was giving the other doctor who was removing the cataract and fitting a new lens.
He was instructing a trainee, I cold not believe it, not after the first fiasco, surely. I reckon I've "SUCKER" tattooed on my forehead. :crazy:
Fortunately it wasn't painful, but my eye felt as if a stone mason was working on it with mallet and chisel. The entire thing lasted 35 minutes (I timed it) not 10 minutes, and all the time that poor nurse was standing there holding my hand.
I can't figure out why the consultant changed the procedure and I just didn't feel like challenging the decision at that time.
I still have great respect for the consultant and I suppose the new doctors do need to practice on a patient at some point, but why me, AGAIN.
Hope this reads ok, I haven't really checked it thoroughly.
If it's not grammatically correct, just say "Baaa-Humbug". You'll feel better afterwards, honest. :lol:
Nearly forgot, the change in my eyesight is remarkable. I'll need new specs, 'specially for reading, but I can see the bottom of my garden and into the neighbours further down, without specs.
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zolabud; izzzi: Daisy: Thundercat: NicolaB70: cp1943: damonfrog.
I'm humbled by your interest in me and by your replies of encouragement.
You're all a wonderful example of "caring".
willie.
