Saturday 22nd – After a pretty dreadful ‘nights’ sleep (I basically saw every hour on the clock) caused by nerves and excitement, I had a 5am start to the day, to drink some awful drinks which would supposedly sustain me throughout the morning. They were not nice, but I couldn’t have anything else until after the operation, so the drinks were drunk!

We left home just after 7, me driving (for the last time in several weeks), and made it to KIMS hospital in good time. Checked in, taken to a lovely private room, and then asked some questions, several times, the same questions, different people, lots of different people!

Nice Mr Gill came to see me, drew a big arrow on my right leg, and then I had to wait…

…wearing a rather fetching gown and nothing else but my smile!

I was taken down to theatre about 10am, met a fantastic team of anaesthetists, who put me completely at ease, and very precisely put my lower half to sleep! Just before I was wheeled in to then theatre proper, they administered a sedative… and I don’t remember a thing until I woke in recovery about 11:45, legs still very numb! I was allowed to drink some water, and was taken back to my room about 12:30.

Much of the rest of the day consisted of Nurses taking observations and force-Feeding me drugs! I had a sandwich and a cup of earl grey shortly after getting back, which was so good! I then got out of bed, and with my trusty Zimmer frame, went to the loo. Not entirely successful as various bits of my anatomy were still rather numb, I’ll refrain from detailing the procedure that two very lovely nurses then performed on me to alleviate the problem, they called it an ‘in and out cath’… it was relieving! No pictures you’ll be pleased to know.

Sarah, Issy and Maddie then came to see me, which was lovely. Sarah posted the following in her Facebook feed, which may have made me cry just a little!

I had a smashing dinner, an open beef and mushroom pie with mash and vegetables, followed by some cheese, crackers and grapes… top nosh!

The girls left me to it, and I’ve had a quiet evening munching more drugs, and occasionally getting up to the loo, apparently I’m getting around quite well.

So now to sleep (although I’m going to be stuffed with more meds about 2am apparently), I have a very busy morning tomorrow, the physiotherapists will be set on me… bring on the pain!