As you lovely readers know, I’ve recently had Dominant Hand Surgery, I’ve had  Trapeziectomy, but instead of the tendon transfer (due to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Hypermobility type) I’ve had a Silicone Spacer, and possibly a MCP middle thumb joint pinned.

Surgery Day We have to arrive by 7am and we can drink water for up to 1hr beforehand, so just as we are setting off to drive to the hospital at 6am is the last time I can have a drink of water. It was 1am I had to have my last food or milky drink. In classic form I barely slept 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ and is that a tickle in the throat?  Let’s hope they don’t cancel me and I feel rough from lack of sleep over the last 3 nights. (Lunar Eclipse you have a lot to answer for, and all the G4 Geomagnetic energies) and being hungry makes me feel sick. Not a good start to the day. Oh well we carry on.

When we get there I say my goodbyes to Richard and check into the big waiting room, I do this as I’ll be busy speaking to various people, nurses, doctors etc. And they don’t have much space, so plus ones are encouraged to go home. To start off I’ll be called to speak to the Anesthetist, speak to my Consultant, speak to the nurses, get measured for Compression stockings, weighed and asked a million questions. I usually am at the bottom of the wait list, wonder if today is the same. I have a good book for the downtime though, and free wifi too.

Had to have a wonderful MCAS moment didn’t I? Cue red hot cheek allergic to the air 🤣🤣🤣🤣 what timing. A doctor came round to speak to me and draw my lovely arrow on the Right arm. Saw I have a Left Fusion CMC Joint and requested permission to film is as he was astounded at the dexterity and movement I have, of course I said. Especially as it’s to help his patients see that they can have full movement back.

At 9am I’m given 2 paracetamol, 1 tramadol and 1 piriton, I’m allowed to sip water right up until surgery, 1 small cup an hour. They say I should be called down at midday ish. Time to settle down and read my book for a couple of hours. I have The Handmaid’s Tale to read.

The chairs are super uncomfortable, rigid 90 degree angle, no way to slouch and nap. Your not allowed on your allocated bed until you are in your gown about to have surgery. My consultant comes to tell me they’ve decided against the MCP joint pin, instead they would like to fuse that part, and still use a silicone spacer for CMC joint. I had to resign a consent form. A pin scared me as they would remove that in couple of weeks. A fusion would be more stable,so I happily sign. It’s now 11.40am and the last lady before me is going down,my turn next 👀👀👀👀 eek!!Nervous but want it over and done with.

Not sure why I didn’t ask if it reclined!! Finally found that at 12midday!! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ That’s helpful. I’m feeling super sleepy now, even though I have a really good book to entertain me. The lack of sleep over the last 3 nights is definitely catching up on me. Yay at 1.30pm they called to get me to change into the hospital gown and my own pants, dressing gown and slippers. Shouldn’t be long now (I’m so tried and hungry) though it’s now 2pm. I have my fetching compression stockings on, back to white I see. 7hours waiting so far 😴😴😴😴😴😴😴

Near 2.50pm I got wheeled down to theatre, and the nerve block could start. I was nervous for this part, however it was done slow and steady, this stopped the arm leaping up like last time. Much better.  Given some light sedation too, as it was planned to be 2 hours plus. And got my All killa no filla podcast playing. A few times the hammering and drills were stinging, so little top ups helped.

By 5pm the tourniquet was brutally painful but they were finishing up the stitching and bandage, so braved it out and survived. Had the best theatre team ever, I love them!! As Rich was nearby he was at the ward by 6pm and I’m signing out after coffee and toast. Home by 8pm and resting with 2 paracetamol, and a much needed coffee. Cat napped on the sofa until 11pm, and then omg my hand can move which means, thumb is painful 😭😭😭😭 icing and tramadol and cannabis oil taken. Going to try bed.

Hope I sleep tonight.