Sat looking at a blank page realising it's less than one week now until Operation CTN gets underway and thinking I really ought to blog something but not quite sure what to say.
Since my last post, we've returned from a wonderful week in Cornwall, the kids have gone back to school and I'm into the last two full days at work before finishing up for two weeks. The only time I normally get two weeks 'off' is at Christmas so this feels incredibly strange, so I'm busy finishing jobs, sorting team handovers and getting all the admin done so things run smoothly in my absence. The plan is to have two weeks totally off, then return mornings only and build back up from there but we’ll see how it pans out!
People keep asking how I'm feeling about it all and the truth is I'm both fine and scared.
I'm completely at one with the decision itself, and with the course we're pursuing surgery wise (closed wedge HTO). That doesn't mean the reality doesn't jump up and hit me some times though. The thought of actually going into hospital on Monday and having someone break my leg and re-set it all seems pretty surreal but I know I'll deal with it and it's a means to an end. Anyway, spotted this on my insta feed and it made me laugh. I guess I'd be done for false advertising if I wore this after all these knee ops now!
I had a discussion with my other half last night about plans for the first few days as he hasn’t booked any time off work so, other than my Mum popping in for a bit, I'm going to be here on my tod from 7.30am until after 6pm on weekdays. I'm sure people manage but it's feels like it's going to be a loooong day when I don't know how much discomfort I'm going to be in/how easy I'll find it to crutch around, so I've got to figure out where to set myself up to make it easiest to get food/change ice etc. Also, all recommendations for films, TV series, books, music to help me while away the time are gratefully received. Bonus points if they improve (or you think they will) when viewed through the lens of pretty decent pain killers (how psychedelic can Labyrinth get?) At least there’s the rugby world cup and world gymnastics championships to get me started, I might even hallucinate an England win 🤣
Pre-op shenanigans
Anyway, I’ve got my pre-op tomorrow. That was a bit of a farce as I had a letter telling me it would be a telephone appointment on a certain date but with no time given, along with the usual paperwork to fill in. So I cleared my work diary of meetings and stayed at my desk all day until, at 4.30, I gave up waiting and called the hospital to see what was going on as I had to go out to get my daughter and take her to gym at 5pm. “Oh yes, I can see you’re on my colleague’s list,” the voice at the other end of the phone said, before asking what time I had to go out and eventually deciding to do the ‘pre op’ there and then instead. I say pre-op, they just asked the same questions as on the paperwork and then told me they’d book me in for a face-to-face pre op this week. What a waste of time! They then called back a few minutes later to tell me I needed a second set of blood tests too (never had any blood tests at all at previous pre-ops, so who knows what that’s all about). They then proceeded to give me a totally separate time and date for that. Now, I’m not being funny but things are pretty hectic this week trying to get everything sorted so I wasn’t best pleased at the thought of traipsing across town again just for a second set of blood tests. Thankfully they gave in and arranged them both for the same day so that’s a bit more manageable.
Time to update the wardrobe
Otherwise, I think most things are now in place. My new trainers and PJs have arrived (frequency of surgery over the last 10 years means the purchase of trainers and nightwear often seems to coincide with surgery, so much so it's becoming a bit of a running joke that its the only time I actually update my wardrobe).
I spent last Sunday afternoon batch cooking meals to give my other half a helping hand on those days when its inevitably chaotic so we won’t be tempted to just reach for the takeaway menus (must. not. eat. too. much. if. I. can’t. really.move!); the kids lifts for extra curricular activities (and timetable changes) are all planned out; play dates booked for the eldest on weekends my other half will taking the youngest to parties, so she’s not bored; I’ve also booked a couple of pre-surgery salon appointments for Friday; then friends are arriving from Scotland for the weekend; I’ll have my last 'in person' football match when West Brom take on Milwall on Saturday afternoon; then it’s off to another friends for dinner before sorting a big Sunday lunch at ours next day. Hopefully I'll fit in a few more walks and a couple of gym sessions before it all begins too. Got to use it before I lose it!
So exhale. I think everything's almost done, almost sorted. Operation CTN 😬 Let’s do this.
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