Almost exactly a week ago I was going into the operating theatre at Frimley Park Hospital. It wasn’t planned, it just had to happen that way.
You see, the Saturday night prior, I was about to go out for the evening, as I do, my only luxury every week; spending £10 down the pub. Except I had really bad stomach ache, and so I stayed in bed. But by Sunday it was really starting to hurt and calls to 111 were fruitless. I’d already self-diagnosed myself with appendicitis.
Three calls through the night and a threat to crawl to the hospital if I had to, an ambulance was despatched. Only who knows what time it would have turned up? So my other half rushed over and raced me into A&E.
To cut a long story short, I was rapidly triaged, high temperature (107°F/41.6°C – normal body temp is 98.6°F/37°C), low blood pressure, high markers in my bloods for infection, and after a few drips of saline, the strongest intravenous antibiotics (metronidazole?), two very welcome doses of morphine and a CT scan, I was deemed to be worth a rush into surgery.
Two days later I was out of hospital. A week later I’m still at home, recovering.
It’s been an amazing journey.
- The human body is an incredible thing. As much as we look after them sometimes things still go wrong, and in spectacular ways too. I have three wounds from a laparoscopic appendectomy and they’re still healing. The biggest wound is all manner of rainbow colours.
- Our NHS is amazing. I wasn’t impressed by 111 and may never know what time the ambulance may have turned up, but being in Frimley Park Hospital was the best place for someone in such a precarious position with their health. Every single person there was brilliant and I owe them so much.
- I could have died. It was that close. I have always looked at life as an experience where some people really have nothing to moan about whilst others count their blessings. This was just a massive reminder that the petty squabbles, politics, power plays and ego games can all stay away from me. I want a good clean life bringing positives and being fairly rewarded, so that was a renewal of vows so to speak.
- Some people are just so wonderful. I have the kindest girlfriend in the world, she really is just the best. The NHS staff were all just so excellent, and my friends have been so incredibly supportive.
- Love and relaxation are the things we all need.
So, look after yourselves, stay happy and healthy, and try to stay away from things that need morphine to fix. It’s that good!