The Pre-Op

Knowing that there is a procedure that will remove cancerous cells and tissue is wonderful. The hospital now needs to know I am well enough to have that procedure.

As is normal for me, I arrived early and sat reading waiting to be called. I had no worries about this appointment and felt confident that I would be well enough to have the procedure. I had, by now, developed an automatic response to “can you confirm your name?” Trying to help I simply continued, without being asked, to give my date of birth and home address. I did however resist the temptation to carry it on to shoe size, shirt collar size and that I hold the rank of Queen Scout (once awarded its yours for life.)

During this appointment there were several people to see and a few tests to complete.

• Height and weight – not so much a test to pass! More, I believe, a case of collecting data as an indication of general health.
• As I sit, the nurse asks if I have ever had MRSA or been in a hospital where it had been recorded as being present. I answered “no” and she politely informed me that she needed to take a swab sample from the inside of my nose. At that point she produced what looked like a cotton bud however it was quite long and could possibly have penetrated the length of my nose and taken a sample from my ears at the same time! However, as it happened, she only swabbed just inside my nose. I suppose though it needed to be long as there well may be some large hooters among the population…
• EGC – very quick and efficiently done. The little pads were fitted; wires connected and print out provided. From what I could see the peaks on the print out appeared to be regular so I assumed that all was normal.
• I had one more nurse to meet. He went through general health questions and asked if I understood the procedure that was to happen. We seemed to get on well, so it was an enjoyable and relaxing discussion.  Then… his perfect analogy. “ Don’t take it personally that you have cancer, it can happen to any one. No matter how fit you keep your self, no matter how well you look after your self by eating the correct foods and in your case not smoking, its just like a stray bullet flying through the air and it hits you…mind you it can kill you, but it’s not personal!” I did laugh, it was a comfort really as it was a good way of thinking and made me feel that my efforts to live a healthy life had not in vain.
• Then, on to see the doctor and an examination with a stethoscope, and the good news that all was well and the procedure could take place.
• Final act of the day was to have a blood sample taken. “You may feel a little scratch,” the nurse said. I expected to feel a painful scratch similar to a bramble or a scratch, which, I never seem to avoid when pruning the rose trees, but no, I hardly felt a thing. It was late afternoon and these nurses had been working so hard all day yet I felt that the excellent treatment I had received was equal to that which the first patient that morning would have experienced. Quite remarkable.                                                                                                                                                        So now I had a date. I had been found fit and able to proceed. It was simply just a case of waiting and being prepared. Time to invest in new Pj’s, slippers, books and magazines. Oh yes and to record all my favorite music on to my i pod.

Tractor man

GBNHS