The TKR book suggested I should pack in shorts and sneakers. Shorts? With my Rubenesque figure? You must be joking!!!! Time to haul out the not-yet-used recently acquired second-hand sewing machine and used-ages-ago overlocker. We were going to make a dress (something I don't wear). Something loose and flowy inspired by a designer dress I had seen years ago. Yep, I know - I won't wear shorts but I was about to make a designer-inspired dress by Habits in Cape Town.
Don't be fooled - really easy to adapt using some ancient printed viscose cotton and ribbon to thread through for shoulder straps. Light, loose and flowy so that it should not bother the dressings. To complete the fashion statement I also packed easy-to-slip on Crocs and a loose shirt. To sum up, suggested packing:
- Something loose to wear to and from the hospital (or shorts);
- more pj's than you think necessary or family / friends who will help out with laundry;
- more undies than you reckon necessary (or ditto re family / friends);
- Shoes you can slip on when walking in the room and up and down the passages - I found the cheap flat cotton slip-ons quite adequate;
- a gown;
- besides general toiletries, lots of pleasant-smelling wipes (baby wipes are great) as you will be bed-bathed for at least a week and wipes are a handy way to keep feeling fresh;
- easily-absorbed body lotion;
- talcum powder;
- lip-balm;
- chronic medication;
- face cloth;
- ear-phones for TV.
Monday morning I decided my dress looked way too bulky on top and needed some adjusting. I then prechecked myself into hospital, packed, went through my e-mail and watched TV, trying to keep calm. At 12h00 Hildegard, my housemate and a good friend, took me through to hospital and I was admitted. The staff were very friendly and I was wheeled off for x-rays. The pathologists drew blood, the physio visited and explained what would happen when I woke up after my op, the aneasthetist visited and we chatted about my adverse reaction in the past to certain drugs. A physician popped in, realised I was previously with another physician (Dr Richard Wilson - my miracle doctor) so called him up instead - a cheerful reunion; and then a visit by Dr van Huyssteen, the specialist. By then it was time for a nap, early dinner, BP checks, glucose level tests; thermometers and more smiles.
I made a point of being as cheerful as possible and laughing with everyone. There's method in my madness!
We're about to have ..... lift-off!!!
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