Foxys Forthcoming Hospital Visit

[Besoeker]

Good man, Foxy. Get better soon!

[AnnieS]

Glad they were feeding you well OGF. Your meals have made me hungry! Hope all goes well with the recovery and that you will quickly get used to the change and be back up and running!

[caricature]

@OldGreyFox

A massive thank you to everyone.

It was such a long day and I didn’t get home until late, but if you’ve got a few minutes to spare, put t’ kettle on, get out your favourite dunking biscuits and I’ll tell you what happened…

I can’t function properly without breakfast, so yesterday morning I was up and out of bed at 4:30 am. My daughter drove me and Mrs Fox to the hospital at six, it’s just over an hour to the Northern General Hospital but the traffic was light and she made it for around 7:00 am.

The plan was, that she and Mrs Fox would spent some time at Meadowhall (shopping mall) and collect me when the job was done. After settling in to a small ward with four beds (only one was occupied) I changed into a flimsy pair of paper knickers and a gown that fastened up the back…Trouble was, half the tags were missing and I had to hold it closed whenever I turned my back.

I was taken down to the theatre at ten and was shuffled onto a table, Christmas carols were belting out on some music gear and several people were rushing around and plugging me up.
I couldn’t see anything because they put a sort of tent over my head so I couldn’t see what was going on, so I had to guess what they were doing. I din’t have to guess when the needle went in containing the local anesthetic, and that was the last thing I felt apart from some pulling and pushing.

I could imagine the surgeon stitching me up (not for the first time in my life I hasten to add) as he drew thread in and out. The bloke sat at the computer congratulated the surgeon on a successful placement of the wires into my heart chambers, and after a brief period of silence, I was declared ‘online’…

It was almost midday as I was returned to the ward by a chatty comedian of a porter, and I was glad to be sat comfy in my chair just as lunch was been served. Some very tasty vegetable soup followed by corned beef and cheese sandwiches, and all finished off with some coconut sponge cake, but I declined the cream, must look after my figure…

I had been in no pain at all up until now, but as I snuggled down into my bed for an hours kip, it was becoming increasingly uncomfortable, and no matter where I put my left arm, it hurt.
I did grab an hour but when I awoke it was unbearable and had to resort to some pain killers.
I was waiting to go for an x-ray to confirm that the leads were in the right place, and Mrs Fox was getting very impatient after returning to the hospital, I had ordered my evening meal just in case.

Covid and vaccines were never mentioned and although I completed a negative lateral flow test before I left home, nobody was interested in seeing the result on the slide I had taken with me. However, mask were worn by all the staff, and although I could remove mine while I was in the ward, leaving the ward required masks to be worn at all times. I felt for the staff who tirelessly worked all day and had to wear them.

So at around 4:00 pm I was wheeled down to the x-ray department. It seemed like miles (I’ve run shorter courses) and I realised why the porter had given me a blanket beforehand, it was freezing down there, and paper knickers and a gown with no fasteners have no thermal qualities whatsoever.

Back on the ward by five thirty and just in time for Cod and chips, with mushy peas and steaming mug of Yorkshire tea, Apple pie and custard to follow. Mrs Fox and daughter were not the least bit pleased when I explained that I would be ready for collection after the Apple pie and custard…

Don’t over do it.

[May]

Good to see You back safe Rab…now We can all breathe a sigh of relief…take it easy,xx

[Twink55]

Just read about your time is hospital Foxy and, although there must have been some worry, it sounds good and the food was good too!

You are not the best at doing as you are told, but please try hard till they say you can move your arm without doing any damage.
Having the procedure so close to Christmas may prove to be a good thing…as you can’t move your arm much Mrs Fox and any visitors will have to do all the work & you can chat on here whenever you want
It will be interesting to keep up to date with your progress!.

[ruthio]

Great to read your account Foxy but I had to smile at the detail of the food!
Food is a priority when you’re in hospital!!

[Lindyloo]

@ruthio

Food is a priority when you’re in hospital!!

He’s a man! Food is always a priority for men.

Very well done Foxy. Try not to overdo it and DON’T try to out-pace your pacer…not yet anyway.
Take care.

[Psmith]

@OldGreyFox

for Cod and chips, with mushy peas and steaming mug of Yorkshire tea, Apple pie and custard to follow.

You going again next week ?

[Muddy]

Looks like, the NHS has looked after you very well Foxy

[OldGreyFox]

Thanks everyone, I promise not to overdo it until next week…I expect results by then…

Good idea smiffy, I’ll try out the pacemaker and perhaps return to hospital next week for a ‘tune up’

The treatment at the Sheffield Northern General was brilliant Muddy. In fact, my previous visits in 2004 and 2014 were just the same. The staff (nurses, doctors and auxiliary) could not be faulted and I would always put my complete trust in the sharp end of the NHS.

[OldGreyFox]

@LongDriver

Sounds good to me👍 How many leads does your pacer have Foxy?

Sorry LongDriver, I got distracted by all this covid stuff…

It’s a two lead version, and a router to relay information back to hospital, but I can’t seem to get Over Fifties on that router…

[PixieKnuckles]

@OldGreyFox

It’s a two lead version, and a router to relay information back to hospital,

Shall we start calling you the Bionic Fox then?

[Meg]

Bob good to hear all went well and you are back home, I really didn’t expect the procedure to go ahead, someone I know had their operation at the NG cancelled for a second time recently due to lack of beds.

I hope you will be running again soon …

[Dextrous]

Bump. Gumbud was asking after you Foxy, and it seemed easier to bump the thread up.

[gumbud]

whats all the hooha about - it’s just a pacemaker insert - like puttin a new clutch in ya car - easy peasy - but well done anyway laddie - never mind the walking just be careful about sex ok??

[Dextrous]

I think the main initial thrust of the thread was about cancellations of the appointment.

[AnnieS]

@gumbud

whats all the hooha about - it’s just a pacemaker insert - like puttin a new clutch in ya car - easy peasy - but well done anyway laddie - never mind the walking just be careful about sex ok??

or changing the windscreen wipers on a ford fiesta… no wait it’s probably far easier than that and works!

[LongDriver]

@gumbud

whats all the hooha about - it’s just a pacemaker insert

Not just a pacer, but a two lead job, indicating it has the defibrillation ability as well as pacing. That is a serious piece of kit and could knock Foxy off his feet at any time it detects a life threatening arrhythmia.

[Percy_Vere]

Foxy. I hope all will get back to normal quick sharp for you now you’ve had your pacemaker installed.

[gumbud]

whatever you do Foxy for the moment 'don’t push yaself too hard ’ - do you think he will listen??