An Operation? Yes then No!

With an overnight bag packed for Mike just in case he’s kept in for the op tomorrow, we set off from Luton for a day in London.  He was seen by Mr Verity who had performed the previous ops on him but it was Prof Dart who would be doing this one if necessary.  Unfortunately he was off today so Mr Verity had to make the decision and he felt that it was probably required.  Now began the fun and games!  Although the op had been provisionally booked for Wednesday at 7.30am, a bed hadn’t been booked!  I insisted that there was no way we could travel and be there for that time of the day and they needed to find a bed for him.  At two o’clock there was no hope but miraculously by three o’clock they had found one in the very ward where they should have reserved it for him!!  We checked in and I stayed with him until he’d had his supper then I left him there and returned to Luton.

Next morning after the boys had left for work and I was imagining a lovely lazy day recovering from the stress of yesterday, my mobile rang and it was the hospital.  Apparently Prof Dart had seen Mike and decided not to operate so could I please collect him as soon as possible!

I immediately ordered a taxi, got train and taxi to the hospital to be met with the comment “Is he not staying for lunch?”  I was amazed!  My reply was very polite but no he was not staying – we were leaving right away.  He left with medication and an appointment for Clinic in a week’s time.

Today was our wedding anniversary and I’d thought we’d be spending it apart.  Phill came home from work with some roses for me as he knew Mike wouldn’t be able to get anything and cupcakes for our dessert …

He’s such a lovely lad

Mike’s Operation on his Left Eye

The last time Mike had a check-up at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London they decided that he needed an operation on his left eye asap.  We were given the date of 8th Feb and so on Sunday 3rd Feb Simon came down to Cornwall to collect us and take us to Jamie’s house in Luton.  Hamish made himself comfortable on the back seat in his bed …

Jamie had managed to get the operation day off work and so we all got the train to London and checked in at McKellar Ward.  After all questions were answered and checks made, Mike was taken down early and Jamie got ‘gowned up’ to accompany him …

Mike was in theatre for ages and so Jamie and I got chatting with a lovely couple who were seated at the bed next to us.  We ended up by exchanging mobile numbers and have kept in touch.  Once we heard he was out of recovery and on the ward we made our way down to find him.  Poor love he was totally blind as his right eye has no sight and his left was smothered in padding and plaster …

We fed him some jelly and gave him a drink of water.  His mouth was sore as the donor graft for his eye had been taken from his mouth hence no hot drinks or solid food tonight.

We left him to sleep off the anaesthetic and then the next day we went back to collect him.

Moorfields One Month Check

It was Moorfields day today which began with a train journey to London. We had to sit around for ages but Mike saw Mr Verity who was very pleased with his handiwork. Mike is having problems with his left eye as eyelashes are still in-growing and so after they were removed there was a discussion as to how to solve the situation. It looks as if he’ll have electrolysis on the rogue ones and hopefully this can be performed at Truro. He was then due to see Mr Dart but as he was on holiday it was a Mr Watson who was in charge of the Clinic. His left eye was still feeling uncomfortable so after a closer look by Mr Watson he decided that there may be a small infection and so more antibiotic drops were prescribed. After collecting his drugs from the Pharmacy we were back in a taxi and on our way home to Luton.

Hospital and a Helicopter

Mike had an appointment at Treliske today and so we went in early to visit Pam before he had to be at Dermatology. She was in a side room and seemed to be very bright and hopeful that she'd be allowed home tomorrow. After all the tests they thought that she'd had a viral infection but I don't think they were too sure what the problem was!

After leaving her we walked to the other building and as we got near the helipad the helicopter started its engine and took off ...

Mike saw Dr Campbell who was amazed at the job on his eyes and reduced his tablets which was great news - no more steroids!

Second Hospital Check

Another week has passed and Mike flew from Newquay today for his two week check at Moorfields. Jamie and Phill were brilliant as they had to be at ours very early this morning having offered to drop him at the airport for his 7.20am flight. He saw Mr Dart and Mr Verity again and they were both really happy with his progress. He's had his stitches and plastic inserts removed so his eyes are now feeling much more comfortable. They were so happy with him that his next appointment has been made for one month's time! The flight back arrived about ten minutes late but Simon and Vikki were on collection duty and delivered him home about ten o'clock. A very long day for him but his beaming smile as he walked in was just brilliant to see.

First Hospital Check

I can't believe that it is a week since Mike was discharged from Moorfields and so today we were back on a train and heading for the hospital for his first check-up. We'd planned to get the 08.12 fast train to London and so as we went through the barrier I asked which platform for London trains. We were sent to number 1 and waited only to hear over the tannoy that the next train approaching platform 3 was the 08.12 train for St Pancras! Good start to the day! Never mind we'd allowed ourselves plenty of time and got on the 08.14 train which made just two stops. London at that time in the morning was heaving and the taxi struggled to get away from the station but eventually it pulled up at the hospital and we made our way to Clinic 4. We hadn't been sitting more than ten minutes and the fire alarm went off. Everyone just sat there - nobody moved! A nurse started waving her hands and telling us all to make our way outside. We all traipsed through A&E and out onto the road at the side of Moorfields. A fire engine arrived and I naturally had my camera to hand!

As we stood waiting I noticed that Mike's surgeon, Mr Verity, was standing in front of us looking very smart in his suit - we'd be seeing him later ...

We must have stood there for at least 20 minutes and then were allowed back in. Well we hadn't been back more than five minutes and once again a fire alarm started but this time it was an intermittent noise. A nurse had to shout above the din and told us that it was okay to stay put this time as intermittent meant another section of the hospital was being evacuated. We all sat there with fingers in our ears as it was a terrible noise and seemed to go on forever. There was a big round of applause as the noise stopped and then we were called in.

Mr Dart, Mike's Consultant, was very pleased with him but wanted to give him some ointment as well as the eye drops in the hopes that he would heal a little bit quicker. We then accompanied him downstairs to Clinic 15 where Mr Verity was working and they had a little chat about Mike. Mr Verity was very pleased with his handiwork and agreed with the ointment suggestion. He took out a couple of little stitches which he thought might be irritating his eye and then it was all over and we made our way to the Pharmacy to get his prescription made up. He's got to go back in one week's time which means a flight up from Cornwall but it's essential that they keep a watch over him and make sure that all is progressing well before handing over to our local hospital at Truro. The return journey was quite uneventful thank goodness and we were back in Luton by two o'clock.

He's Home from Hospital!

Jamie took the afternoon off work today and came home lunchtime to pick me up. We then shot off down to London with a route plan in my hand hoping that we could find our way to the hospital. All was going so well until we reached Hampstead where there was a road closed and we had to follow the diversion. We carried on and when I saw Kings Cross I began to recognise the road as the one we'd been on in the taxi. Mike was standing outside the hospital so we peeped and waved as we passed him. We then turned at the roundabout and stopped for a couple of seconds so he could climb aboard. Trying to stop outside is very difficult as it is double red lines apart from a small loading bay and any side road takes you into the congestion zone. Not the ideal place for a busy hospital! So retracing our route we managed to eventually find another way back other than taking the diversion and in no time at all we hit the M1 and were back in Luton. We now have two weeks of eye drops to do every two hours and antibiotics every four hours but if Mike's eyes are sorted then it's worth all the effort.

D-Day or should that be Eye-Day!

Well the day has finally arrived and after taking a couple of photos of his eyes at home before the work on them ...

we're on our way to London from Luton on the 9.20am train ...

After a couple of stops at Harpenden and St Albans we reach St Pancras International station and head for the taxis walking under this amazing roof ...

Neither of us are familiar with London and so the thought of tackling the Underground was too daunting! We soon arrived at Moorfields Eye Hospital ...

and found MacKellar Ward where we checked in and were shown to a bed. After all the paperwork was dealt with the nurse taped up Mike's rings and gave him his bracelet ...

There's no going back now! I felt a bit guilty when the tea-lady came round and I could enjoy a very welcome cuppa while Mike had to sit and watch me drink it as he was on nil by mouth. We had a visit from the anaesthetist and a very young lady doctor who drew arrows on his forehead just in case they forgot where his eyes were!

and then we just had to wait until he was called. He walked off to the theatre at 2pm, at 3pm Jamie arrived to sit and wait with me and with the operation due to take about two and a half hours we began asking if there was any news just after 4.30pm. We finally heard that he was in recovery at 6pm! It had been a very long op but he was through it okay. Jamie and I then nipped up the road for a McDonalds as the cafeteria in the hospital was closed for the night. When we got back we reported to MacKellar to see if he'd arrived on the Observation Ward. Great news - he was on his way! We were shown down by a nurse and as we arrived he was just being wheeled in. He now had a room to himself but he couldn't see it! He'd had work on both eyes and so they were both covered ...

Poor thing he looked like a bug! We stayed with him sorting out the television which of course he could only listen to and helping with some ice-cream. They'd taken some membrane from inside his bottom lip so this was the only thing he could eat easily. The plastic surgeon popped in to see us and he said he was very pleased with the way the operation had gone in fact he reckoned it was 'a personal best'!! At this point Jamie and I left Mike to have a well earned rest and we made tracks for home. With Jamie leading the way we went via the Underground and then caught the train to Luton finally reaching the house about 10pm. A very long day and I couldn't wait to get to bed! Fingers crossed that all will heal well and Mike will be seeing properly again very soon.