Hence yesterday passed in the blink of an eye. I will admit we did not rise early, but I had great hopes that the day would be far less frenetic than the previous one. I was also in a quandary whether to attend my second forensic healing session with Denese. I felt pushed for time, a bit out of sorts and I was concerned about the pre-admission phone calls from the hospital that I expected at some stage during the afternoon. My status as a hospital boarder with Michael still seemed to be somewhat up in the air.
In an unpunctual flap, I decided at the very last minute to have my session. I flew up to Denese's in my little golden car. She was calm and composed and just what I needed. This second healing was just another revelation - full of unblocking specific events in the past that had led to feelings of powerlessness, being out of control and a very low self-esteem. I described the sensation like being a puppetmaster's marionette. Just speaking about this was liberating. We threw into the mix some very personal affirmations and breaking some negative barbs that were being directed at me from afar.
The only interruption during our session was the hospital. The question of my boarding was not resolved but I was determined to not let this spoil this really special time.
From being very stressed and flustered, I floated home from Denese's. Michael had finished mowing the back paddock and wanted to get the weight off his feet. I made toasted sandwiches for our lunch and we continued with our preparations.
Load after load of washing was hung on the line. I cleaned out the dogs' beds. We rang the vet and were delighted at Ruby's improvement. Apparently a liver issue. This was unsurprising, given the appalling diet the Beagle had often consumed in her escapades away from the House that Rocks. We arranged to pick her up on our way home on Thursday.
Michael missed a call from the hospital. He rang back and expressed his need of me boarding with him. Once again we were fobbed off. We wouldn't know until we arrived and we should have a Plan B. Michael expressed exasperation at this response. We were coming in from the country, a two-hour drive and being Michael's carer, he wanted me with him.
By this stage, half past three had come and gone and I'd had enough. I rang HBF (private health fund) and asked for an urgent phone call with their hospital representative. She returned my call almost immediately, at the same time as I was fobbing off a researcher on the landline and giving Vicki (our dog and cat sitter) our house keys. Talk about multi-tasking...
Cathy, the HBF rep, spoke to the hospital and sorted out the mess. Apparently, Michael had been entered as a day patient, which had caused all the confusion. The bed allocation team member was sure that they would find Michael a single room and I would be able to stay with him.
Waking twelve hours later with a five o'clock departure time was not our idea of fun. Initially, the dark and the fog made for hazardous driving conditions. We were on the lookout for kangaroos and weren't disappointed. Two of them, one a very large male, took their lives in their hands, bounding across the road in front of us. Fortunately, Michael was driving cautiously due to the conditions and we were able to stop. A couple of heart-in-mouth moments really shook us properly awake.
We duly arrived at the Day of Surgery Unit. What a lovely environment after the debacle of the angiogram episode. I entered with Michael, was able to stay with Michael, was able to shave Michael and went with him all the way to the door of the catheter lab. We knew he had a bed for the night and we knew I would be boarding with him. A huge amount of stress was lifted off my shoulders.
With a few hours to kill, I went in search of my good friend Janina, who was bored out of her brain on another ward, following knee surgery. We kept the nurses laughing, I had tea and biscuits for breakfast and Vanessa duly arrived to join the party, having walked from her share house.
By eleven I was becoming edgy. We enquired as to Michael's well-being. He was still in the cath lab. I was directed ward as our destination for the night, but on arrival, they informed me Michael was to go elsewhere as they were full. After further enquiries at the reception and collecting my laptop from the car ( a substantial hike), Michael had indeed touched down in another ward. Telecommunications were marvellously useful tools when they operated. The ward had tried to ring me twice. Mobile phone epic fail.
He remained drowsy for most of the afternoon. He was somewhat taken aback by his pain level and requested relief. When Michael admitted his pain is an eight out of ten, he was in a bit of strife. After two oxycodone tablets, his pain eased and he continued to drift in and out of sleep. After four hours, he was allowed to sit up, which immediately improved his mood. A cup of coffee and a shower made him a new man. I washed him, removing as much of the red antiseptic that had been splashed about in gay abandon. Dressed in his pyjamas, he sat up in bed, a much happier chap and surveyed his court.
The staff, whether nursing, admin, ancillary or medical have all been caring, compassionate and approachable. Michael's specialist came in to see us and review him post-operatively. Our questions or concerns have been answered promptly and with respect.
Hollywood Hospital, give yourselves a clap. A thumbs up from us.
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