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Well... I just got out of Hospital. The NHS saved my life.
16 years ago
Without meaning to sound like a bit of a naive wimp, I've had a bit of a traumatic experience lately.
With my abdomen aflame with pain on Monday, I thought I just had food poisoning. The symptoms were just like those I had after drinking some old water a couple of months ago whilst at Razzle's place (which in hindsight probably means that the old water wasn't the problem.) I wasn't going to call the Doctor, because I hate wasting the Doctor's time for stuff you can recover from quite naturally.
However, I've recently moved back into my parents and my Mother felt differently when I didn't recover after a single day, since I'm between GP practices she called the NHS Direct hotline (a step between local Doctors and the Emergency Services we have here in the UK.)
When they heard that I had black diarrhea they recommended I check myself into the nearest Accident and Emergency, which was at Rake Lane Hospital in Whitley Bay.
I was run through a battery of scans including a CT scan (it must be noted that the radioactive injection feels very warm and nice) where they determined that I had the human body equivalent of a primed hand grenade in my abdomen.
It was already quite late so they operated the next day. They performed keyhole surgery (which is actually pretty cool, they use a thermic lance to burn small holes in you and seperate your organs by inflating you with C02 (which does later lead to some uncool gas, but so what) then use an endoscope and fine tools) and removed the offending appendix, which was apparently in a horrible, horrible state.
It's a lot better than having a three inch scar which would have left me bed ridden for weeks, but damn did it hurt afterwards. Most importantly though, it saved my life.
I got home yesterday and slept for almost the entire day (it's impossible to sleep properly in a hospital, I tell you,) until Xiv and Freaky turned up to keep me company. Bless them, I think they'd worried more than I had, those sweeties. My poor, poor Wolf. I just know he'd been a whimpering.
Today the monthly Newcastle Furry Meet is on. I had resolved to turn up to it for an hour or so, since I've never yet missed a single one... but I may not bother after all. I think it might be a bit much for me after all. With all the antibiotics I'm on, I could do my usual social drinking anyway.
I've not a single complaint about Rake Lane Hospital. The place was gloriously clean, healthily staffed, efficient, well equipped and everyone was well informed. I myself was fully informed at every stage and treat with respect and courtesy.
It's very popular to bash the NHS in the media. I'm happy to say that I am one of the vast majority of patients who have had a good experience of it.
Anyway, now that I've documented all of this, lest I ever forget (as if I could) and I have my life... I'm going to start posting submissions on FA again. Starting with writing.
It's a trite cliche, but this sort of thing does make you appreciate your opportunities for expression in life.
With my abdomen aflame with pain on Monday, I thought I just had food poisoning. The symptoms were just like those I had after drinking some old water a couple of months ago whilst at Razzle's place (which in hindsight probably means that the old water wasn't the problem.) I wasn't going to call the Doctor, because I hate wasting the Doctor's time for stuff you can recover from quite naturally.
However, I've recently moved back into my parents and my Mother felt differently when I didn't recover after a single day, since I'm between GP practices she called the NHS Direct hotline (a step between local Doctors and the Emergency Services we have here in the UK.)
When they heard that I had black diarrhea they recommended I check myself into the nearest Accident and Emergency, which was at Rake Lane Hospital in Whitley Bay.
I was run through a battery of scans including a CT scan (it must be noted that the radioactive injection feels very warm and nice) where they determined that I had the human body equivalent of a primed hand grenade in my abdomen.
It was already quite late so they operated the next day. They performed keyhole surgery (which is actually pretty cool, they use a thermic lance to burn small holes in you and seperate your organs by inflating you with C02 (which does later lead to some uncool gas, but so what) then use an endoscope and fine tools) and removed the offending appendix, which was apparently in a horrible, horrible state.
It's a lot better than having a three inch scar which would have left me bed ridden for weeks, but damn did it hurt afterwards. Most importantly though, it saved my life.
I got home yesterday and slept for almost the entire day (it's impossible to sleep properly in a hospital, I tell you,) until Xiv and Freaky turned up to keep me company. Bless them, I think they'd worried more than I had, those sweeties. My poor, poor Wolf. I just know he'd been a whimpering.
Today the monthly Newcastle Furry Meet is on. I had resolved to turn up to it for an hour or so, since I've never yet missed a single one... but I may not bother after all. I think it might be a bit much for me after all. With all the antibiotics I'm on, I could do my usual social drinking anyway.
I've not a single complaint about Rake Lane Hospital. The place was gloriously clean, healthily staffed, efficient, well equipped and everyone was well informed. I myself was fully informed at every stage and treat with respect and courtesy.
It's very popular to bash the NHS in the media. I'm happy to say that I am one of the vast majority of patients who have had a good experience of it.
Anyway, now that I've documented all of this, lest I ever forget (as if I could) and I have my life... I'm going to start posting submissions on FA again. Starting with writing.
It's a trite cliche, but this sort of thing does make you appreciate your opportunities for expression in life.
Glad to hear from you. I hope everything has been going well for you over there!