I have not been to see my husband since Sunday.
Although I have rung twice each day for progress reports and each day there has been a little more light.
Today, my neighbour Ellie was going in to her office in Lytham.
She asked me if I would like to go with her…..she said that she would drop me off at the hospital, but I said that Lytham would do for me.
I could get a bus for the short trip into Blackpool…..and then get a bus to the hospital….she said if I was OK with that then that is what she would do.
I had thought that visiting was open, but witnmeal times protected…..so in the normal course of events I would only be allowed to visit for an hour in the afternoon….and an hour in the evening.
I rang the ward to ask what provisions were made for people who lived a fair distance away.
I also said that visiting was integral to recovery of their patients….that patients who were worried about their relatives were at risk.
So, after a little negotiation I was given a dispensation to visit out of hours.
It was almost midday when I reached the hospital.
So I asked the receptionist if she would phone the ward and check it was alright to go up.
It is quite a good walk and up a floor to the CCU.
I did not want to get up there and be turned away.
Yes….I could go straight up.
I walked down the corridor expecting to be challenged, but I wasn’t.
Himself was sat up in his chair….and greeted me like he had not seen me….well, in a long time.
He got very moist eyed and emotional and I was hugged to within an inch of my life.
I had taken a huge bagful of stuff for him….strawberries, the obligatory grapes, fresh pineapple chopped into mouth sized pieces.
Lemonade, some soft baby wipes for his tender places….his iPad with some word games loaded.
The nurse looking after him said that he had refused to change his gown…or have a shave.
I told him that he was a dirty little bleeder and a smelly oik.
It did not make any difference.
The news is…..he cannot come home until he has had some scary surgery….a triple heart bypass….known in the trade as a cabbage….though spelled CABG.
The names of his nurses were over his bed….Millie and Lynsey….two lovely girls.
I spoke to Millie and asked what the plans were.
She told me that himself had had a Doppler on his carotid arteries….and this was done to check that going ahead with the surgery was feasible.
I went down to the M&S and bought a prawn butty and a box of prawns and Mayo for himself…he said the food was not very palatable.
The food from M&S was far more to his taste.
I did not stay very long as I did not want to overstay my welcome.
I had a lift back home with .Ellie who had finished her meeting, so I came home in a buoyant mood.
I think I might just sleep well tonight……so for all of you out there who have had us in their thoughts….thank you…it means a lot.
M x
Although I have rung twice each day for progress reports and each day there has been a little more light.
Today, my neighbour Ellie was going in to her office in Lytham.
She asked me if I would like to go with her…..she said that she would drop me off at the hospital, but I said that Lytham would do for me.
I could get a bus for the short trip into Blackpool…..and then get a bus to the hospital….she said if I was OK with that then that is what she would do.
I had thought that visiting was open, but witnmeal times protected…..so in the normal course of events I would only be allowed to visit for an hour in the afternoon….and an hour in the evening.
I rang the ward to ask what provisions were made for people who lived a fair distance away.
I also said that visiting was integral to recovery of their patients….that patients who were worried about their relatives were at risk.
So, after a little negotiation I was given a dispensation to visit out of hours.
It was almost midday when I reached the hospital.
So I asked the receptionist if she would phone the ward and check it was alright to go up.
It is quite a good walk and up a floor to the CCU.
I did not want to get up there and be turned away.
Yes….I could go straight up.
I walked down the corridor expecting to be challenged, but I wasn’t.
Himself was sat up in his chair….and greeted me like he had not seen me….well, in a long time.
He got very moist eyed and emotional and I was hugged to within an inch of my life.
I had taken a huge bagful of stuff for him….strawberries, the obligatory grapes, fresh pineapple chopped into mouth sized pieces.
Lemonade, some soft baby wipes for his tender places….his iPad with some word games loaded.
The nurse looking after him said that he had refused to change his gown…or have a shave.
I told him that he was a dirty little bleeder and a smelly oik.
It did not make any difference.
The news is…..he cannot come home until he has had some scary surgery….a triple heart bypass….known in the trade as a cabbage….though spelled CABG.
The names of his nurses were over his bed….Millie and Lynsey….two lovely girls.
I spoke to Millie and asked what the plans were.
She told me that himself had had a Doppler on his carotid arteries….and this was done to check that going ahead with the surgery was feasible.
I went down to the M&S and bought a prawn butty and a box of prawns and Mayo for himself…he said the food was not very palatable.
The food from M&S was far more to his taste.
I did not stay very long as I did not want to overstay my welcome.
I had a lift back home with .Ellie who had finished her meeting, so I came home in a buoyant mood.
I think I might just sleep well tonight……so for all of you out there who have had us in their thoughts….thank you…it means a lot.
M x
