she was concerned that the underlying infection wasn't responding to treatment (and it had been a pretty strong dose). So Yesterday was just one of those days. I had to go and see my GP yesterday to check on an infected sebaceous cyst for which I had been prescribed antibiotics last week. I fully expected her to say that it is well on the mend, now get off to work. While the inflammation had subsidedwhe wrote a letter and sends me off to A&E at Romford's new Queen's hospital.
I got there at a bit after 10am. At around 12-15, I was finally seen, the doctor did not like the look of what she saw so decided to send me to see a specialist at another hospital, King George V at Goodmayes. Several hours later, the specialist takes a look and takes that sharp intake of breath you usually see when a plumber realises that the size of his bill is only slightly less than the term fees for Eton. I thought he would take a lancet and give the cyst a squeeze - oh no! It's an operation under general anaesthetic for me.
I'm booked into a surgical ward, I am given an ECG and more BP and Heart rate tests, I am questioned by the anaestheist who checks, inter alia, that my teeth are okay and I am able to open my mouth wide open, I sign the consent form.
Just as I am fitted out in DVT stockings and, have my arse hanging out of the hospital gown, and am resigned to a short stay in hospital the consultant pays a visit, takes another look at the cyst and decides to put me on more and stronger antibiotics (Three different ones!) and says I can go.
It's 9pm by then and I hadn't eaten since the the previous day and had nothing to drink since my morning coffee. Needless to say I'm ravenous and spitting feathers. The only vending machine available offered coke at £1 a 500ml bottle. I don't like Coke very much but I was thirsty enough to drink slurry. Twice that vending machine took my money and twice it offered me nothing. I think my expletives were heard in Belgrade....
Wow. Glad you are Ok and praying the infection is healed quickly.
ReplyDeleteI hope the antibiotics do the trick. Stupid NHS - why couldn't they have prescribed pills from the outset, and sent you home, rather than messing you around like that? Fingers crossed the infection goes and you won't need to spend any more time in hospital.
ReplyDeleteOh, was that you cussing I heard?
ReplyDeleteHow frustrated you must have been. Feel better.
Thanks for your thoughts Jan, much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been great if they had done that at the first hospital. When I was told I was having an op, I was relieved and not too worried. I was all set up for it but when I got told I would get antibiotics instead I was out of there like shit off a shovel I can tell you, Siani!
It probably was Vixen, I do feel a bit better, still tired though.
Eeek! That certainly is not a good day! I hate vending machines also, I used to regularly get fleeced by ones on London Underground until I phoned up one day when I was incandescent with rage and got a gift voucher sent to me!
ReplyDeleteHope it gets better soon :-)
Oh wow. Hang in there and prayers coming your way.
ReplyDeleteI hope your antibiotics are working now and that your day has gotten better. Nothing like a stay in the hospital to make you lose all sense of modesty.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't. When I got home I ate a huge plate of chips, the best part of an OJ carton then a shed load of tea! I'm glad you got something back from your losses!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Rhonda for your kind thoughts.
You said it Queen. Dignity goes out of the window when one's butt is clearly visible!
Capitalist morals. Hairy butss uncovered, pfft. You should have asked the nurses to take a pic...or the GP...or...as you know, people like your pics.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the medication will do its work well to remove the swelling and all traces of the cyst. Wishing you well. Take care!
ReplyDeletePerhaps I should have had a good socialit gown, better still a burqa... As for photos. I would be drummed out of WW, nay blogger for those, Red!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rach. I hope it helps. It's been pretty painful.
Ooh, nasty. I had one of those on my side just below my arm. Very painful and disgustingly vile! Hope yours is better soon.
ReplyDeleteLook on the bright side, you have been spared a hospital infection.That quantity of antibiotics might make you loose - B vitamins help, also prevent mouth ulcers.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with them, generals are to be avoided.
What a simply bloody day. Daughter Kyrsti attends hospitals in Romford, she also has bad days.
Take care,
A.
It's not a lot of fun, that's for sure Liz! Thanks for your thought
ReplyDeleteVery true Aileni, I did think about the prospect of MRSA. I'll take a vitamin supplement.
Ah your daughter goes to hospital here? She lives around these parts?
oh no! I'm so sorry you have to go through all of this pain and fear (well, it would be fear for me). I'm glad you're home, safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to think about getting some yogurt. Most antibiotics taken orally have a nasty habit of killing off the good microbes in your digestive tract.
ReplyDeleteMy Mother's main doctor advised her to take all antibiotics with yogurt or buttermilk to avoid the the many problems that can occur.
Ugh, Jams. I don't know if you can complain about the NHS in this instance or not. They seemed to have taken it pretty seriously and were prepared to go, although it all ended a storm in a tea cup. Well hopefully.
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well with the antibiotics.
Those machines never work properly, I did my training at King George by the way.
ReplyDeleteHospitals blow. I think I'll drink bleach before I do time in the medical pokey again.
ReplyDeleteJen
THanks Andree. I'm glad to say that the new antibiotics seem to be doing the trick.
ReplyDeleteI took one look at my prescription and thought "bye bye gut flora!" Bryan. I got some youghurt drinks in case of the galloping trots!
Don't get me wrong jmb, I'm not complaining about my treatment. Okay I was irritated at having to go to another hospital rather than being treated at Queen's. I can say without fear of contradiction that everyone who saw me was great. Just as well I took a big book with me though!
Ah Letha I didn't realise you'd trained at King George. Probably the same vending machines from you stundent nurse days?
After the car crash and adhesions, I don't blame you Jen!
Sorry to hear of your troubles - sounds like a pretty stressful day...
ReplyDelete... and the NHS tells us that stress is bad for our health!
((((JAMS)))) I've haven't been checking blogs very regularly lately but you're one of my nearest and dearest. I'm praying for a quick recovery for you and that they get the infection under control before it leads to more problematic things.
ReplyDeleteYes, get well soon!
ReplyDeleteLOL Roger, to be honest I was pretty calm alll day. By the time I got home I was utterly shattered though!
ReplyDeleteThanks EWBL, I'm feeling a whole lot better today. The new antibiotics are working well and I will try getting into work for a part day tomorrow.
THanks JRD. I'm so touched by all the kind comments. THank you!
Wow. Glad you are Ok
ReplyDelete