Hospital Day 1: Admission

12 Sep 2011

I turned up at the hospital at the appointed time and after a few minutes I was taken to record my starting weight and height: 125.5Kg, 174cm (277lb, 5ft 8in). I was then taken to have an IV inserted in my right forearm, but near the crook of my elbow (try to avoid this, as bending your arm, particulary when asleep, will prick you mercilessly).

IV-Back of hand (much preferable)

IV-Forearm (I don't like this one)

I then had an interview with the anaesthetist. She discussed my medical history with me again, asked about any allegies, had I had any general anaesthetic before, particularly recently (I had my gall-bladder out 2 years previously, so this ticked that box). She then took an electrocardiogram, which came back perfect. I then had an ultrasound scan - everything present, but she did say that I had a large fatty liver, but this would reduce as I lost weight and return to normal. She also said the pancreas was large, but not overly large (might explain why I go to the loo so often, and get up a couple of times in the night), and no sign of pancreatic cancer.

I was then taken for a lung test. I was sat in a clear plastic cubicle with a pipe to blow into:

• Breathe normally
• Big breath in - hold - exhale
• Big breath in - hold - exhale as fast as I could
• etc.

She said the results were perfect.

Then off for upper endoscopy. I elected for sedation, as I had one before with just a local throat spray, and it was horrific. I was wheeled in something like an operating theatre, only smaller, with 3 people in there all in gowns and masks, I was asked to lie on my left side, then someone injected something into my IV and it was lights out.  I remembered nothing after that, and awoke in my 2-bed room. No-one was in the other bed (and it stayed like that for my full stay). My throat was a little sore after that endoscopy.

It was a good thing I had brought a towel, soap and shampoo, as the hospital provided none of these (although a nurse did say if anyone forgets they can lend them a towel, but it's unofficial).

I was then visited by a techie (I am not sure what these people's generic title is in hospitals, these are the various specialists between the nurses and the doctors). She explained after the op she would liaise with me on all matters, such as dietary questions, mulitvitamins, exercise, etc.

One thing I did NOT know, was that the B12 I had bought from my local pharmacy was useless. It cannot be absorbed she explained. All my B12 doses will given by jab, once every 3 months, as the body holds about 2 years worth of B12 and you just need to top it up.

I was later visted by a nurse, who gave me Prepacol to drink (start of the bowl preparation). I then was brought some clear vegetable broth, and this was all it needed for the Prepadol to do it work. It really does go through you!

The Professor then came in, flanked by some junior doctors. He simply asked if I was prepared for tomorrow. I said I was. He told me he would ask again tomorrow at 7am, as I was first up for the op. Three hours after taking the Prepacol I took four pills, 4 x 5mg of Bisacodyl, the final part of my bowel preparation. I spent the best part of the next 3 hours in and out of the bathroom.

At about 7:30pm a nurse came to give me an injection in the leg against thrombosis, and also brought my surgery gown, surgical stockings and cap.

There is no wi-fi in the hospital, so I immediately regretted bringing no reading material. There was a TV, but it had 25 channels of German TV, and just one English channel, the ubiquitous BBC World News, but it had no sound!

Quite an eventful first day of admission.