Ash Wednesday

I woke up at 5am desperate for a wee. It would appear though that all the bladders in B bay have become synchronised as all the other ladies were also awake. I had to do the wee-wee dance which is what we say when the kids start jiggling about if they have to wait for the loo. After dancing about so early in the morning I couldn't get back to sleep so decided just to get up and have a shower.

Being such an early bird has its advantages. There's plenty of towels, fresh and clean from the linen delivery so I help myself to 4- one for my hair, one for the top half of my body, one for the bottom half and one for the floor to stand on as I don't like to stand on the floor in bare feet. The towels are not very big which is why I need so many and usually the nurses will only give you 2, 3 at a push so being up early meant I could go into the linen cupboard and help myself. 

I also got to use the shower first meaning  that I didn't have to go in after someone and try to avoid the left over soap suds, hairs and goodness knows what else. 

One of the pouch nurses popped in to see me. She said that there is clearly something not right and she was going to speak to the surgical team this morning. She came back 15 minutes later to inform me that she had grabbed one of the surgeons, and threatened to 'ave him if he didn't review my case properly. To be fair she's a fab nurse but is quite scary so he will probably do as I he is told! Half an hour later the ward clerk tells me that the surgeons have ordered an MRI scan for me and once they have that they can review it along with my surgery notes and then they will come to see me. Well done Pouch Nurse!

Later this morning Dr 7 did his ward round and we discussed the pain that I had experienced on Monday. He still is baffled by what could be causing it and he has ordered a Barium follow through to be done. This along with the MRI should give them a clear picture of what's happening inside and if there's anything that may be causing the pain. 

Dr 7 is also going to speak to the dietician and agree a plan with regards to eating and TPN so watch this space. 

It was then time to go to Mass in the hospital chapel as today is Ash Wednesday. I had arranged to meet the Irish lady I had been in hospital with in January so that we could go together and then have a catch up afterwards. 

Another patient friend is on Frederick Salmon ward. We met at Lister hospital last year and have kept in touch. He had been referred to St Marks from Lister as his case was becoming more difficult to treat in a local hospital and he required more specialist care. He joined us for Mass too so it was nice to go and be in the company of friends. 

This year we have decided as a family to give up desserts. I know this will be much harder on Hubby and the kids than on me but I also plan on doing daily reflections using a Lentern prayer book my Irish friend had bought for me. 

After Mass I went to the restaurant with my Irish friend and we sat for nearly two hours chatting, catching up and putting the world to rights. It was lovely to see her and she is going to come to Mass on Sunday so that we can do the same again. 

I then went to Fredrick Salmon to have 10 minutes with my friend from Lister and by then I was so tired I had to go back up to IFU, get my painkillers and get into bed.  

 

Just before 7pm I got a call from Hubby. He wanted to know if I wanted 5 minutes with the kids? Erm, let me think about that one. YES! He was taking them to their first ever England match at Wembley Stadium and instead of paying £30 to park at the stadium he was going to park at the hospital and get the tube as it was only 1 stop down. 

I raced as fast as my legs could go with my drip stand trailing behind me. I waited at the main reception of the hospital and when they came through the doors they came running towards me. We hugged so tightly; I miss them so much. 

They were layered up, their cheeks flushed from running and excitement. We walked through the hospital, using it as a cut through to the tube station. The kids were chattering excitedly saying that their friends were jealous that they were going tonight and talking about what they were going to wear tomorrow for World Book Day. 

When it came to say goodbye they clung to me and I held them tight. Then I pushed them away telling them that they would be late for the match because I knew that if they didn't go soon then I would never want to let them go and I would get myself all upset. 

Walking back to the ward I had a huge smile on my face. "That was the best 5 minutes of the day" I announced to my fellow patients. I think it was made better because it was completely unexpected. 

From my bay in the ward I can see Wembley Stadium. 

It's strange knowing that they are so close but they might as well be a million miles away. 

Before Hubby left he handed me a carrier bag with some bits in it. Goodness knows what's in there I thought to myself. But the boy done good. He had returned the pjs that I had sent home to be washed and there was a present from a friend. A box of Teapigs.

Teapigs are the creme de la creme of herbal tea bags. The peppermint ones are great for when your belly is hurting and have a real good minty flavour; much stronger than the ones you get in the supermarket. 

So I'm going to bed a happy lady tonight. I've still got a pain in my arse but those 5 minutes with the kids has cheered me up no end- I feel like I'm on cloud 9. 

NB x