Tania Roth diary BHR

[Guest guest]

Ronan Treacy is my Knight in Shining Armor and I am a Veteran of the

Foreign Wars.

Having been assisted in battle by the good sisters (nurses) at the

Birmingham Nuffield, I am now a " Brummie Hippie " . The battle which

left me with a longish scar down and around my left hip, may not have

been easily won without the 3 pints of " British Blue Blood " I

received. My hemoglobin had gone down from 14 to 6.6 post-op, then up

to 10.6 by discharge 7 days later.

Does everyone lose blood in battle?--no--perhaps my intense use of

supplements, possibly Vit. E caused it. (about 40% need some blood).

Letme back up. On 24th March, I was scheduled to be 2nd for surgery,

complicated cases got to go first and I had surgery at 2:30 PM, back

in my room by 4:00pm with a morphine pump for about 18 hrs. When the

pump was off, felt very little pain and had no nausea as some people

do. Given paracentomal/codeine later, took the edge off.

1st day, Up with walker, I sit up, I use the bathroom. They say sit

in the chair, very uncomfortable, I am short, it is tall. Delightful

gourmet meals, back to bed. I develop blisters on my " good hip "

from the mattress.

2nd - I get blood, I can't get up, not a happy camper. Blood was

reserved before surgery, but Mr. Treacy waited a few days to see if I

could make my own, I didn't. My blood pressure, generally a little

high dropped to 89/40. But I don't feel bad. It must be the great

food.

Gail, my physiotherapist fought long and hard at my side making a

good

soldier out of me in 6 days.

3rd day - She had me walking with crutches up and down the hall

several times. The operated leg is feeling stronger than the other.

I pretend not to care as fears looms and I quiver at the top of the

stairs with my crutches. Success! Now on to sticks (canes) the same

day due to a late start because of transfusion. Now up and down the

stairs with 2 sticks and no rail. Eeegads! This only 4 days after

the major battle.

Not surpisingly, I did get black/blue and yellow on the back of my

lower leg at 4 days post-op. The nurses all rejoiced at: " my

swelling

coming out " . It sure did, ankle on 4th day, three x its size. They

say it could last up to 3 months. I don't think so. (went down 2nd

week out of hospital).

6th day - I AM NOT READY TO LEAVE TOMORROW

7TH DAY- I AM MORE THAN READY TO LEAVE - Off to the countryside, on

to

the next battle, further recovery in Lucton near Ludlow.