Thursday 4th September 2025

Woke at 0245 with uncomfortable back pain…had to get up and do some stretches. Doesn’t bode well for my hernia op recovery!!! Managed another couple of hours sleep eventually. Aki drove me to the Whittington for 0700. Surprised to find so many people on the waiting area…there weren’t enough seats, and the reception desk hadn’t opened! Got my name called around 0730 and walked in to the treatment centre. A couple of Filipino nurses took my details ahead of a visit from the Indian anaesthetist. 

The surgeon, Dr Rama, also introduced himself and explained I would be having open surgery, which involves pushing the hernia back in and sewing up the hole! I’m first up. Anaesthetic involved the usual general anaesthetic. They took me down to theatre at 0800 on foot. They decided not to add a spinal anaesthetic, as it meant keeping me in overnight, though they numbed the belly with a local. Came round at about 1100 and was wheeled back up to recovery. Given tea and a marmalade sandwich, which I had to make myself. Passed water, as instructed…got message from Aki saying new furniture had been delivered, and old furniture taken away…Tom from No.99 took the armchair. 

Aki came to get me in the car. New furniture looks great…parked myself in the armchair for the rest of the afternoon. Downed my painkillers, but feeling sore, especially when I cough! Kept myself hydrated. Aki cooked a chicken and mushroom broth for dinner. Managed to stay awake until The Ten. Can't bath, as I'm not to get the dressing wet, so climbed painfully into bed around 2300. Don't know if it's the fact of the earlier cough, or that the anaesthetics are wearing off, but the wound is very sore, especially when engaging the surrounding musculature in getting into or out of a chair, or into and out of bed...hoping I haven't coughed the stitches out!