A very small shark bit my arm - Part 2
Shark postcard from the amazing Frances.
Mid-April
I went down to Edinburgh for the surgery. Here’s the painkiller-soaked version of events that I originally posted on the U&R forum. It was also the first time I used the voice dictation software so it’s a bit bonkers, but it captures the spirit of the moment!
I was prepping myself no, CRaPPING myself, on the way to Edinburgh as I’m not a big fan of horses no hospitals.
On Wednesday I had the nuclear medicine part. It went fine. They injected the isotopes then I had various scans. It was a bit claustrophobic inside the scanning machine so I borrowed a tricks from you guys, to go through the alphabet and name somebody awesome that I know for each letter. Andrea Alex Anne Angela and so on all the way Z. it made me teary happy and totally calm.
I checked into the 2nd hospital on Wednesday night.
I was in award at six. No. A ward of six. Women. One lady had caught a fish fork no no no. PUT A fish hook through her hand by accident and it got infected.
Another lady had been beaten by her own C a T. Not beaten, B I TT EN by her own cat. She was a bit crazy but really nice. She was showing Fish Hook Lady pictures of her dog, which was named beyonce.
I was nervous on the morning of the surgery. I told the anaesthetist and the nurses that, quote I’m crapping my pants right now unquote.
Beneath the test beneath… no. the anaesthetist replied, quote only an Australian could get away with saying that unquote.
Then he asked, why are you living in Scotland?
I said, because I’m hiding from the sun. But that didn’t work very well did it? Ha ha!
They all laughed kindly and next thing I was under.
When I woke up it was two and a half hours later. I couldn’t believe that it was over. I asked the recovery nurse if it was really over.
She said yes and that they didn’t have to do A skin graft after all! they managed to close up without it.
I kept saying over and over, is that true? Really?
And she said yes, and I just started crying like a real ugly cry honk honk honk.
Was so relieved and then my teeth chattered violently then I felt so so happy smiley.
I was worried I would say something stupid like when I was sedated for my wisdom teeth. The only thing that I said was when I overheard two nurses talking about a doctor who always writes snotty e-mails. I yelled to them, Well he sounds like a real fanny!
Waiting – Week 1
It’s good to be home. Arm is very sore and sleeping is awkward but I’m totally fine.
Went to the plastic surgery nurse in Inverness today. She took off all the dressing and bandages. My armpit looks pretty good, the scar will be neat! My wrist looks horrific. It was quite a shock. I have a very strong stomach; growing up on a farm you see a lot of boyfriends no no no. gory things!
This dictation thing is so funny.
Anyway the WOUND is gruesome! I thought I was totally cool and even kind of impressed, but then I stood up to leave and my stomach dropped and I nearly fainted. How embarrassing! The nurse made me lie down for a while. He he.
She said I need to keep my arm elevated for another two weeks to help with this swelling. Also dr said last week that biopsy results Will take A minimum of two weeks so that is nearly 1 week down.
I’m feeling calm and it’s not just the TRAMADOL. One step at a time, and as mother-in-law Mary said, be strong!
