Unexpected light

By the time I got up, I had a streaming head cold and immediately rang the Pre-op Assessment Unit to inform them and ask for an appointment deferral The person I spoke to thought that a delay of four days would be adequate, assuming it was just a cold - that's nine days from now. 

The worst of Clare's symptoms are receding already, so today she got dressed and tackled a few domestic tasks, taking time out to rest as well. After lunch I received an unexpected phone call from the colorectal surgeon's administrator at the hospital. She was aware of the change in my pre-op assessment date, and it seems this risked causing problems, as the team proposes to perform my surgery #4 on 20th October. I was surprised and amazed, to say the least, having expected another delay of many more months after the pre-op assessment whenever this gets done. Then came the big revelation!

The op will be done at The Spire private hospital in Pontprennau. Mrs Cornish is a specialist surgeon on their list, About a year ago I asked if she'd be willing to operate on me there at my expense, I was feeling so desperate. He response was admirably simple - "Sorry but no. I'm far too busy with NHS patients." In order to clear the waiting list backlog, NHS Wales is hiring the facilities and staff there. This is complex to prepare, as all the surgical records have to be digitized and emailed to The Spire for the benefit of the support team as well as Mrs Cornish. This part takes two weeks. The earlier the pre-op assessment can be done the better, in case there are any further pre-op investigations called for, given my recent ups and downs in health. 

So, I must get through this cold, avoid further infection and look for ways to get my blood pressure closer to normal in the coming weeks. It may not be so straightforward, but knowing that I am on track for treatment soon is a great stress buster. Not seeing an end to being stuck in Ibiza when I was so overdue to return home, then getting sick was traumatic, awakening dark memories of the months of waiting without knowing to get properly diagnosed for surgery in the autumn two years ago. It undermines you saps your resilience. For the second time in 24 hours my pre-op appointment has shifted two days earlier, and I'll get a call Monday morning to confirm I have recovered from the cold.

I've got a few more days of nursing myself, dosing with garlic and honey, making the house smell awful and taking life easy, even to the point of reducing my daily exercise, to recuperate, but at some level I am feeling better already. Shadows are giving way to light at last. Hallelujah!