So this morning I got up 0650 and sleepily microwaved and ate a big bowl of porridge. This isn’t my normal behaviour but with a nose operation in the afternoon, I was told not to eat anything after 7am – and frankly, I struggle to go a couple of hours without a scooby snack so an early rise was essential. After a quick shop to get some easily edible essentials, and resisting the urge to drink anything, I was off to Northampton General in a cab, psyching myself up for a nose operation.
After checking myself in with the ward receptionist I took a seat in the dismal waiting room (6 skanky chairs) and flicked through some April 2008 magazines. A very excitable young boy (6 years old maybe?) was giggling heartily at his mum’s jokes and taking great glee in doing his spelling tests, bless him. On the other side of the room, which had a whiff of bleach about it, a larger lady showed us just why she needs a nose operation as she sloped into sleep and started snoring incredibly loudly. Various nurses drifted in and out of the room looking for patients (gone missing?) and double checking who we were and what list we were on (err, shouldn’t you know that?).
After ages (it was ages, probably over an hour) a sheepish looking nurse came through and began by checking who we were (again) and then saying “unfortunately…”. I knew this was bad, but surely she wasn’t going to call off my operation for the second time?
You guessed it, she was. It fell to her to tell us that there was, once again, no room at the inn. Poor woman, she did look really apologetic but I was no happy shopper this afternoon. Having rearranged work meetings, socials and beavered away to get ready for recuperation, I was not happy at the prospect of waiting again for another operation date. Much as having my nose operated on is not a prospect I relish, it was worse to psyche myself up and then be let down. Again.
Having rung the waiting list lady (another apologetic person. They must spend most of their working days apologising, poor staff!), I was told that not many people want these operations in the run up to Christmas time (no shit Sherlock! Christmas parties with black eyes is not the best combo!!). What this means though is that I might get listed again before Christmas. Which means I might have black eyes for some parties but what the heck, I just wanna get on with it now.
As much as I appreciate that the NHS is trying desperately to cram everyone in as soon as possible in the hope that people will clear beds quickly, this policy is SO not working. For the second time, I’ve had to rearrange my life, get work sorted out, have people take time off work to pick me up and look after me, and psyche myself up for what has turned out to be a non-event. I even took ‘before’ pictures of my nose this morning!
On the other hand, I can’t worry about what’s out of my control, so rubbish as it is, I just have to wait again for Northampton General to sort itself out. I believe that the third operation date can’t be cancelled, or if it is I go private, so here’s hoping my face will be smashed up soon!!!
