YES- have seat heaters in our cars and it feels good to a cranky body to get in a cold vehicle, start it up, turn on the seat heater, and soon feel the Ahhhhh of having a bit of warmth below.

Yes,
Mark56

Well I phoned the Surgeon's secretary yesterday and she wasnt there so left a message for her to call as the one who answered last week told me if they hadn't told me that day (Monday) then I wouldn't be going in that week. I was initially told I would have plenty of notice, which I would need for Mike to arrange work off of work as he's a Manager for IKEA and can't just say he's not going in the following week.

Not heard a thing .. I rang my specialist nurse Debbie, and left a message for her to call .. zilch ..

It's my 50th in May and the family want to plan a party as I've never had one before .. but that's pointless as I might be in Hospital. (The surgeon's Nurse initially said April early May for the Op as he only does one every other week and he is the only surgeon in Sheffield to do this oepration) ..

I'm frustrated .. I know I should be bloomin grateful I'm getting it but I just want a date ... even if it's months away !!

Saffy I feel your frustration. I had to wait four months from my trial to get my permanent one done. Keep phoning until you get an answer.

I, too, kept phoning until I had the date. Jackie gives good advice. Then you can plan that 50th and maybe have a dual celebration!!

Prayin,
Mark56

Well .. today's the day for my pre op .. I've taken a notebook in me to jot down exactly what happens and when .. who I talk to, what I talk about .. and I'll get it up and posted as soon as I can so that anyone else near to their trial can have some idea of what's going on.

Excited - nervous !

Have a Doctor coming to see me tomorrow at home as I'm currently claiming Employment Support Allowance in a Back To Work Group - they need to see where you're at, how you are, and if you are able to work. Not looking forward to that although I do understand it, as there are so many people out there claiming benefits who shouldn't be. (Did you know you can get Disability Allowance here if you're an alcoholic? And the Taxpayer is the one paying to keep them in alcohol)

Ah well .. let the day begin.

I know you'll all be thinking of me ... I can feel it like a warm hug !

God bless .. see you all later! xxx

Hoping and Praying the best for you while sending BIG WARM ZZZZZZZ
Mark56

Well .. arrived at the Hospital .. and by golly, did we find it hard to park. The Hallamshire is in the centre of Sheffield and is a teaching hospital attached to the University. The ward I will be on is on N floor so very high up .. great views!! Heh!

Sat around for half an hour before someone called me. Sister took all me health details and details of the meds I am on now .. I'd also brought a list of everything I had taken in the past.

She took blood .. well, she eventually took blood after trying in both arms which wouldn't give out, she managed to get some from my hand. She then arranged an ECG straight away .. and I gave urine, had my blood pressure tested, was weighed ... checked down the throat for general anasthetic .. and then swabbed for MRSA in case I'm a carrier.

And that was it ... It said in the letter that I would have chance to ask questions but they didn't know anything. I guess I'll learn everything on the day of the trial. I'm hoping my husband will be allowed to stay a while (it says in the pamphlet that he can't) because he has questions too!!

All in all a quicker visit than expected .. I was home by 1pm, but I do wish I'd been able to ask questions about how long I would be in and so on .. and by the looks of it, a general anasthetic is going to come in somewhere along the way!

Hi Saffy- Any surgery pre-op is gong to be of such rapid screening of your physiological well being. This aids in ultimate determination whether there is any issue which could prevent surgery [presence of untreated infection], which could impact the selection of anesthetic, and the clarity whether you have any allergies, among other things, to latex. Such individuals are not prepared to answer a single question you may have because they are detailed to the single simple "healthy patient" inquiry.

On Day of Surgery check in, the prep nurse, anesthesiologist, and surgeon, all of whom you should see will give you ample opportunity for last minute questions. DO DRINK PLENTY OF WATER the day before surgery, even if it causes more than customary visits to the WC, because in this maneuver you will plump those veins and avoid the game of "Find a Vein." You will receive an IV the day of surgery for administration of any necessary fluids, saline solution, anesthesia so administered and medicines such as antibiotic to help prevent surgical infection. Prep yourself that day before with LOTS OF WATER. Coffee and Soda drinks do not count.... WATER. Plump the Veins. Yep.

Prayin and pullin for ya,
Mark56ZZ

NO ASPIRIN OR ASPIRIN CONTAINING products pre-surgery!!!

Mark56

You are well on your way Saffy! HoooYah!

Mark has given you the best of best advice

I'll be thinkin of ya! And anxious to hear the next update!
It's great of you to give this chronicled event! Lots of folks will benefit from this!

Best Wishes!
Rae