Pre-admission Appointment. 07/11/19 at Derriford.

Left home before 1100 as have to get lunch before the appointment at 1310 on Erme Ward and any excuse for a KFC!

Follow up to this.

Got there in plenty of time as we found a parking space straight away so arrived on the ward at 1245.

The appointment consisted of firstly having weight, hight, blood pressure and ECG. 

Then two blood tests. I am still mystified as they actually took them separately, one from each arm! Why? The first one finished taking hers and then said go and sit in the green chair and she will take more blood? Mystifying or what?

Then back to the waiting area to see the nurse, Esther by name, a lovely friendly girl who certainly knew her stuff and explained to Sue and myself the ins and outs of what was to happen both on admission and during the operation. 

I think it was at this point that Sue began to realise just what a major procedure the operation is? When Esther said it was expected to take at least 4 hours and that the the tubes they use are taken from my leg and they usually cut from ankle to above the knee to get the length they need, the look on Susan's face was a picture to behold! We were then told that I needed a chest x-ray as I had not had one for some considerable time and certainly not since we had moved south.

Esther then took us with my notes up to the 6the floor for my 1500 appointment to see the surgeon a Mr Sanjay Asopa who turned out to be a very nice man. There we were further given instruction about medication and when to stop those that need stopping. I also signed the consent for for the op at this point. 

Then Ester took me to a side room for a check on my vital's as she called them. 

Esther then released us and it was off to get a chest x-ray which I expected to take some time but was pleasantly surprised to be done almost immediately.

By this time it was about 1530 so back to the car and home.

Airs, Graces & One-upmanship!

I had a visit from my daughter Elizabeth and I am left feeling angry, frustrated and annoyed!
From the moment that she walked in the door it started by more or less saying she was not going to take her shoes off. Although she could see with the light carpets it was obvious that that was what everyone else does!
I told her how I liked her shoes only to be told "well they are doc martens" and she never wears anything but! I neglected to mention that I have them but not exclusively as I felt I would be looked down on even more!
Who the bloody hell does she think she is, coming in here and treating the place as her "domain" while stressing that Brendan is sat in the car! I suppose he considers us too below him to grace us with his presence!!!
What did my dear old mum call those with airs and grace and thought themselves too far above their station and I quote, "Lord & Lady Muck of the shithouse". 
Well at least she had lowered herself to come here for the first time ever! I think that is only because after the fiasco of her 50th when my family (who I think she has forgotten she is part of) were pointedly treated as the lowest of the low and totally different to "their friends and Brendans family" I point blank refuse to wait on their whims any longer and go there. Oh and the small thing that I am going into hospital for a bypass op?
Not that that made any difference really as she never stopped talking about her illness and how bad she is all the time she was here, oh and that after she said about her daughter Alice being selfish as she had not visited her in hospital. Take the log out of your own eye first is all I have to say!!!!

OK RANT OVER!

addendum 30/12/2019

Some thoughts on the above visit.

I have had plenty of time to dwell and think of the comments that I made above and I think with things that have happened since it only goes to confirm what I said!

On reflection also we (Sue and I) have talked about it and come to the conclusion that not only was this place treated like she owned it but both Sue and I were talked to & treated just like we were her servants.

This has been growing worse over the past 10 to 15 years and it has now got to the point where I get a knot in my stomach every time the phone rings and I see that it is Liz and I am ashamed to say it has also got to the point where I do not know her as remotely resembling the child that I brought up?