Hi all, my apologies for not updating my thread here in such a long time. Life has been pretty hard is all. I have been on a few other threads as and when I could, but just not been around much at all lately.
But in brief. I was transferred from Sydney hospital via air ambulance back to my local hospital on 24th November to begin some inhouse rehab. It was good to get out of the city after two and a half weeks in the big smoke. About a week longer in the city hospital than originally planned, due to the complications both during and post surgery.
I then had two weeks in the rehab unit in my local hospital. That was going alright, though slowly. Not permitted to do much for at least 6 weeks post surgery anyway, but it was nice to be able to get around with my walking frame and at least walk the hallways unaided. Sadly, my stay was cut a little short due to a major outbreak of COVID in the hospital. I was totally surrounded by COVID in the end, with all rooms opposite and alongside me both sides all shut down and isolating. I was a lone little island in a sea of covid in the end. They kept testing mean and I kept testing negative thankfully. But due to the heavy outbreak and with so many of my fellow gym goers coming down with COVID, they halted the rehab program in order to protect the patients and prevent further spread. So there was little point in me staying any longer and I elected to escape earlier than planned. They determined that provided I could get in to see my GP and nurse early this week (I see them today) for a wound and medications check, that they would release me. So I got home from hospital last Wednesday afternoon, armed with a supply of heavy duty opiate pain killers to get me through to at least Monday. 4 and a half weeks after my initial admission, I'm home. Boy, was I happy to finally be back into my own bed and have my own pillow at last.
I am managing reasonably okay so far. I managed to do a Coles online order which was delivered on the weekend. Never done one before, so that was an experience. At least now I have fresh fruit and veges and some real food in the house. I was living off tins in the cupboard, and a bottle of milk I bought at the little hospital cafe while waiting for the taxi to pick me up upon discharge. I am unable to drive until I get surgeon clearance next month, so I am isolated at home on my own now. Which reminds me, I need to book a taxi for my GP/nurse appointment later this morning. Its hard, and I am finding myself lapsing into depression these past few days. I hope it doesn't get too much worse.
Just wanted to thank everyone for your support while I was in hospital. It was much appreciated. Anyway I'm home now. My clinical psych has been keeping in touch with me, which is kind of her. She told me she would support me post surgery and she has kept her word on that. She is aware that surgery and anaesthetic can escalate anxiety and PTSD. We discussed this in the months prior to my surgery, and ways to try to overcome it.
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