There was some confusion, being in one hospital post surgery, needing to be discharged from there with new drugs, and yet needing to get back to another neighbouring one for other drugs and care. In that confusion (and partly, Isaac being desperate to get back to his single room and bed on the CF ward) we pushed for an early discharge and a nurse kindly walked us over for handover instead of waiting for a porter.
Back on the CF ward, with the morphine wearing off, the pain was building. Isaac is terrible at asking for what he needs, despite a high pain score when asked. The bleeding was difficult to manage too. He did cheer up after some cold jelly (all he could really manage that day).
Exhausted from our 5am start, I stayed until Dan could get there to take over, and we had agreement from the ward that he could stay with Ise that night, his pain and nausea being so bad. For that, we are very grateful. Actually, grateful is not the right word, more, righteous - he is just 17 and navigating adult care for the first year. IV drugs continued and they had a disrupted night with meds, obs, bleeding, pain and coughing.
All said, we are hugely relieved and thankful that it’s done. The surgery was a success, and the IVs and steroids that he is on now give him the best chance of a good recovery.
We’re now home, with IVs ongoing. Due back in next week for lung function tests.
As always, our love and thanks go out to all the amazing NHS staff. Sitting outside theatre for hours, I saw the many patients/loved ones who take out their frustrations on the admin/nursing staff; Moaning about waiting times, delayed surgery, unsure of where they needed to be and when. I cannot imagine working in that environment and being the brunt of that kind of anger and dismay. They deserve medals, not abuse. No, not medals, an appropriate salary rise!
Thanks for reading, and all the lovely messages. Feeling very hopeful now x
