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Writer's picturePhilippe Selot

October 16th, 2024

On Tuesday morning, my alarm went off at 7am. I had to get ready to go to hospital for my sixth operation. Deniz, my Kurdish colleague, accompanied me. We arrived at the hospital at 9.30am. After a few administrative formalities, I was shown to my room. This time I wasn't as lucky as usual: I was in a double room, although the second bed was still empty.

I settled in, and around 11.00 am I met the anaesthetist to discuss the procedure. He explained that I would have an epidural anaesthetic and, once in the operating theatre, I would be given Propofol to help me sleep (this is an option; some patients prefer to remain conscious during the operation, but not me!) I'm collected at around 12:00 and taken to the anaesthetic room. A nurse installed a perfusion and then injected something to stabilise my blood pressure and heart rate. Once everything was stable, the anaesthetist made an infiltration in my back, and a few moments later I felt nothing from my hip to my toes.

A team of nurses stabilised me comfortably on the operating table. I was then pushed into the operating theatre, where I met my surgeon, the head of department and an assistant. Everyone confirmed that the team was in great shape! It's always cold in operating theatres, but I'm wrapped in heated blankets and fitted with cushions for extra comfort. I see that the white liquid is dripping into the drain, a sign that I've just been injected with the famous Propofol. And I'm off to dreamland.

Nearly three hours later, I wake up still in the operating theatre. I was told that everything had gone according to plan. What never ceases to amaze me is that once you've been injected with the product to wake you up, you instantly feel like you're there, fully conscious. I left the room to go to the recovery room. I was offered a drink and some salt sticks - I hadn't eaten since Monday night and I was starting to get hungry. About an hour later, I could feel my legs again and move my toes. It was then time to return to my room, where I was served a hearty meal at around 8pm.

I was then given a cocktail of infusions: painkillers, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and so on. I had a difficult night, as my leg was immobilised, and I couldn't move in bed. At 1.00 am, I was given an injection to prevent thrombosis, and at 5.30 am, a blood sample was taken.

At 7.30am, the assistant of the surgeon's (who was at a conference in Brussels today) came to check on me. She informed me that I was going to receive a new cast, and that the physiotherapist would be coming to see me. After breakfast, I meet up with the person in charge of casts. We know each other well and have a good chat. Back in my room, I wash up with the help of a nurse.

At around 11am, Deniz arrives with a bouquet of flowers before going to work. Shortly afterwards, her uncle Mussa also pays me a visit. How nice of them! Meanwhile, a second patient has joined the room; he's due to have a hip operation.

The physiotherapist brings me my scooter, which I've used for previous operations. We also take a few steps on crutches in the corridor. Everything's going well!

This first post-operation day is coming to an end. I'm writing this blog from the hospital lounge, and I'll soon be back in my room and in bed.






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