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Sunday 29 November 2020

And so it begins ...

I have to go to hospital this morning to have a COVID-19 test as part of the preparation for my forthcoming surgical operation. Once I've had the test, I will be going into isolation (or purdah) until Wednesday, which is when my operation is scheduled to take place.

During my isolation, I have to begin preparing for my admission to hospital. Until I go in, I have to use a special antiseptic body-wash when I take a shower, taking care not to wash off the markings that have been drawn on my stomach area by the stoma nurse. On Tuesday I will have to begin a programme of drinking specially fortified health drinks as well as self-administering an anticoagulant by injection at lunchtime (something that I am NOT looking forward to!) and an enema early in the evening (again, something that I am not looking forward to doing).

I will have to try to be in bed early on Tuesday night as I will have to self-administer a second enema at 6.00am on Wednesday morning, prior to getting to the hospital by 7.30am for my pre-op session with the anaesthetist at 8.00am. Assuming everything has gone without a hitch, I should then have my operation that morning.

None of the above is – as far as I can tell – normal pre-Covid-19 procedure, but is due to the current pandemic. The medical professionals want to ensure that patients undergoing surgery spend as little time in hospital as possible, as this should reduce the possibility of COVID-19 infection and to ensure that beds are occupied by patients for as short a time a necessary. Hence the reason why I won't be going in the day before I have my operation to have the anticoagulant injection and enemas.

This all seems a bit strange to me, but I suspect that this is going to be part of the 'new normal' that we are going to live with for the foreseeable future.

67 comments:

  1. I had to have a body wash prior to my hernia op last year, so now I think this is fairly normal to be honest. The anti-coagulants I had to self inject for a two/four weeks post the prostate op and that was OK, but by the end of the end of it I was fed up of it! Fortunately the needles were incredibly fine and easy to insert and just something I knew I had to do to ensure as good a recovery as possible.

    All the best for today and in the run up for the op which figners crossed goes ahead as planned.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve J.,

      The body wash was less of a shock than the prospect of having to self-administer the anticoagulant and enema!

      Your comment about the needle on the syringe being very fine was very reassuring, as I was contemplating having to contact my local medical practice to find out if they could do it for me.

      The waiting is a necessary evil ... but the alternative doesn’t bear thinking about. Thanks for your best wishes and helpful comment.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. I had the option of someone coming in to give me the injections, but was OK doing it myself. Worth finding out if that's still an option Bob if you're worried and frankly, one less thing to worry about post-op is good!

      Delete
    3. Steve J.,

      I hope to phone the local surgery to find out if someone there can do the injection for me ... but bring in purdah might mean that I will end up doing it myself.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. Bob,
    you will be in our thoughts.

    With best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.

    S&F

    Mike

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike C,

      Cheers! I just want to get it all over and done with ... but I’ll just have to be a patient patient!

      S&F

      Bob

      Delete
  3. Hi Bob,
    There is a lot involved in this for you in preparation. Guess it is because of Covid and as you say reducing your time actually spent in Hospital. Saw on the National News that there were Demonstrators in England- their beef was against the Covid Precautions...I just don't get how stupid people can be- don't they realize that this virus is a killer! Anyways - all the Best to You Bob for your Operation and Recovery. Regards. KEV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      There’s a lot more pre-operation preparation involved than I expected!

      In my opinion, the anti-lockdown demonstrators should be regarded as ‘volunteers’ for testing COVID-19 vaccines ... but that’s my inner tyrant talking! No doubt, if I decided to demonstrate because I wanted the ‘freedom’ to infect people with a deadly virus, these idiots would complain that my ‘freedom’ would be dangerous, whilst their ‘freedom’ isn’t!

      Thanks for your best wishes.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  4. Best wishes to you Bob during this difficult time. It sounds like you've got a good head on your shoulders to help guide you through. God speed!

    As it happens, I've just had a notification from Amazon that they're going to deliver a bounty of your wargame books to me today. I shall be thinking of you, as I read and play them over the days still to come. All the best to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donjondo,

      Thanks very much for your best wishes. I’m not looking forward to self-administering the injection and enema ... but they have to be done!

      I hope that you enjoy reading the books and using the rules.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  5. All the best Bob. Take care and look after yourself. Paul

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PDL (Paul),

      Cheers! I am going to try to get through this as best I can, and emerge safely from the other side.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  6. Bob, best wishes for a successful operation. If you are injecting heparin I found the best trick was to try and freeze/chill the injection spot first. I was advised to do it my a nurse and it certainly worked for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fire at Will,

      Thanks for your best wishes ... and the advice about the injection is very helpful.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  7. Not a very pleasant way to spend the week, but necessary. Hope all goes well and all the best for a quick recovery.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BigLee,

      Thanks for your best wishes. They are greatly appreciated,

      I can think of more enjoyable things that I could be doing, but until the operation is over and done with I can’t really concentrate on much.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. Prufrock,

      Cheers old chap! Your best wishes are much appreciated.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. Maudlin Jack Tar,

      Thank you very much fir your best wishes. I really do appreciate them.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  10. Well that's a story and a half.

    I think that by this time next week you will be looking back and thinking glad that's all done and out of the way. Look forward to Christmas and the lockdown restrictions easing.

    Take Care Bob

    Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim Duncan (Jim),

      I’ll be very glad when this is all over and I can begin to look forward to Christmas. As to the easing of restrictions ... well, they did tell me that I’ll have to be very careful for some months to come, so I probably won’t notice much difference until some time into 2021.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  11. Not at all envious, but taking comfort that you have been diagnosed and are being treated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trebian,

      It’s certainly a case of ‘better out than in’ ... but I just wish that the means of getting ‘it’ out was a bit easier!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  12. Good luck, Bob. I hope all goes well and you will be able to enjoy a relaxing Christmas back home.
    Best wishes,
    Arthur

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arthur1815 (Arthur),

      Many thanks for your best wishes. I am looking forward to getting the operation behind me so that I can begin to concentrate my mind on much nicer things.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  13. Just work steadily thru the pre-op chores Bob & it'll all soon be done. Fighting fit you'll be & fit for further (table) fighting! All the best, B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Buzhna,

      Chores is a good way to describe what I have to do, and if I try to look at what I have to do in that way, it seems a lot less difficult.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  14. Hi Bob, sod that for a game of soldiers as the saying goes:)

    But seriously I wish you all very best for the coming days and hopefully by end of the week the worst will be over and you can begin to recover. Best regards to your wife too, a worrying time for her too.

    Lee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ‘Lee,

      Given the choice, I’d choose a game of soldiers any day!

      She is being a tower of strength, although she has expressed a bit of concern about who is going to do the heavy lifting whilst I’m incapacitated! (It’s her way of reminding me not to just think about myself.)

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  15. I am hoping that all this is not as bad as it sounds - you'll get through it. I'll be thinking of you today and Wednesday. Best wishes. Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim Walkley (Jim),

      Thanks for your best wishes. I really do appreciate them.

      I agree, it probably sounds a lot worse than it will turn out to be ... but I’m still find the prospect of the self-administered injection and enema somewhat daunting.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  16. All the best , our thoughts are with you , Tony

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Good Soldier Svjek (Tony),

      Many thanks for thinking me. Your best wishes are greatly appreciated.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  17. best of luck and my Prayers are with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dick Bryant,

      Cheers, old chap! Your best wishes and prayers are greatly appreciated.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  18. Hope all goes well with the C-19 test and the surgery. Also wishing you a speedy recovery afterwards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TamsinP,

      Thank you for your best wishes. I really do appreciate them.

      I am hoping that I get the results of the COVID-19 test before I have to start the pre-op procedures. I’d hate to find out I cannot have the operation on Wednesday ... after I’ve had the injection and the enema!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  19. Yikes! Sounds like a program to deter potential patients!

    However, I'm sure you'll manage it all and come through with flying colours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ross Mac,

      It does seem a bit off putting ... but I suspect that something like it is going to become the ‘new normal’ in the post-COVID world. It certainly reduces the bed-occupancy rate, and should enable the NHS to cope better as they deal with the impact and aftermath of the crisis.

      However bad the pre-op preparations may seem, if they help to ensure a successful operation, they will have been worth it.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  20. What a lot of hoops to jump through Bob but it will be worth it in the end. Take care tomorrow and the coming days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tradgardmastare,

      You are right; having to do the injection and the enema are irksome, but it will all be worth it if the operation is successful.

      Stay safe and stay well,

      Bob

      Delete
  21. Sounds a right palaver Bob.

    Best wishes for the next few days. Hoping the test today is negative so you can get the op over and done with.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nundanket,

      Thanks for you best wishes, which are greatly appreciated.

      I had no idea that I was going to be quite so involved in the pre-op processes ... but if it ensures the success of the procedure, it will be worth it.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  22. P.S Amazon say my copy of Pike & Shot will be arriving tomorrow. You will be very much in my prayers and thoughts as I enjoy it over the coming days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tradgardmastare,

      Thanks for your kind words of support. I really appreciate them.

      I’m still awaiting my copies! Amazon puts paying customers before authors when it comes to supplying copies of their books! I hope that you enjoy reading the book, and even using the rules.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  23. Just remember. Some people actually enjoy all these preparations without needing a medical operation at the end of it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve8,

      And they think that wargamers are odd! ;^)

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. Hmm, not to be too odd but I can handle the enemas fine. The self administered injections?
      NOPE.
      Good luck my dude.

      Delete
    3. Mr. Pavone,

      As someone else pointed out, there are some people who inject themselves to achieve some sort of satisfaction in their lives. I’m not one of them, and I’m terrified of making a mess of it.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    4. I am sure you will take it in your stride.

      Delete
  24. The body wipes are pretty standard for major surgery now. They kill bacteria and have a prolonged bug killing/stalling action. Your own skin bacteria is one of the more common sources of post surgical wound infections.

    The anti coagulant needs are pretty tiny. And they go into the subcutaneous (fat) layer, rather than the muscle....much less involved than the types of shots you think of for vaccinations. Still...I think most people don't really like the idea of poking themselves with a needle, regardless of the size.

    And 'bowel prep' is fairly normal for major bowel surgery. Over in my corner of the world it's usually a drink (citro mag) that turns everything inside your gut to liquid. Same effect but takes longer to 'clear out'. Standard but odious again.

    Best wishes on the surgery.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Daveb,

      Thanks for you best wishes and your informative comment.

      Using the body wash makes sense, and it is used in the hospital for hand washing.

      I must admit that it wasn’t made clear to me that the injection should be into the subcutaneous layer, but if it is, it should be easier to perform.

      The drink is called Nutricia Preop, and is a clear carbohydrate drink. I also have an enema called Cleen.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  25. Hi Bob, I hope the test went OK and things go well this week. Not a pleasant set of procedures, but it's for a good reason, at least. As students of military history, we can be grateful to have more advanced medical services than in previous ages :) I do hope all goes well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David in Suffolk,

      I should know the results of today’s test within 48 hours.

      Medical procedures have improved - and continue to improve - and I know that I have little to worry about ... but the irrational side of my brain keeps cutting in, and I start to go through all the things that can go wrong. It’s certainly not making it easy to sleep in the run up to Wednesday.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  26. Whoa! That all sounds pretty serious stuff having to self administer all of that. I wish you the very best of luck and hope that it is not too traumatic, with positive results on the other side. I shall be thinking of you. Best of luck, Bob

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob The Old Painter,

      Thanks very much for your best wishes, I really do appreciate them.

      I think that it sounds a lot worse that it will be ... or at least, that’s what I am hoping!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  27. Replies
    1. Geordie an Exiled FoG,

      Cheers! My pre-op anxiety level is rising as the time for me to go into hospital tomorrow morning gets closer. I'm sure that I am worrying unnecessarily ... but being human, I cannot avoid feeling some apprehension.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  28. Best wishes for tomorrow Bob. Hope all goes to plan.

    Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim Duncan (Jim),

      Many thanks for your best wishes. I really appreciate the thought.

      So far, my wife has administered my anticoagulant injection ... and she did a great job because I didn’t feel a thing! I have to self-administer an enema at 6.00pm this evening ... and another at 6.00am tomorrow before arriving at the hospital at 7.30am. So far, everything is going to plan ... and I’m hoping this will continue.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  29. Best wishes for tomorrow Bob. I can understand your trepidation but from what I hear these things are usually not as bad as one fears. Thoughts and prayers with you.
    Jim

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    Replies
    1. Jim Walkley (Jim),

      Cheers! Thanks for your best wishes, which I really do appreciate.

      I understand that the surgical procedure I will be undergoing is a reasonably common one, but I still find it difficult not to feel some anxiety. I’m sure that I am worrying unnecessarily ... but I find it difficult not to.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  30. Wishing you well Bob
    Looking forward to your next posts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Geordie an Exiled FoG,

      Many thanks for your best wishes. As I sit here at 5.20am in the morning, after having had a very fitful night’s sleep, I really appreciate your message ... as I have all the other messages of support I’ve had recently. It’s now all in the hands of the surgeon and the Great Architect ... and I’m hoping that both are going to ensure that I can get through this.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  31. Hi Bob, I just read your post from the 02/12 and I hope you have a speedy recuperation.
    Best wishes,
    Tony Jones.
    P.s. The Portable Pike and Shot book was most enjoyable.

    ReplyDelete

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