The catheters were fed with a PainBuster post-op pain relief system. It worked, I really had no pain. I was offered panadol, which I refused as I did not seem to need it. I also had a PCA which allowed me to pump morphine into my IV line as required. The only time I used it the morphine made me feel quite sick in the head.
The nursing and surgical were surprised at my lack of additional pain medication, I had various reasons, such as being a male I have a high pain threshold, but I don't think my reasons were taken very seriously.
Next step was into a general surgical ward, where I got a single room, with ensuite. I had not expected that, but it did mean I got my best night's sleep for a long time.
Friday morning my catheter was removed and I was off supplementary oxygen. Then the surgeon arrived and asked if I wanted to go home that day (Friday) as part of a fast track release program. This was a surprise, it was less than 2 days since surgery. That meant that I would be leaving with my pain relief catheters still in as the system would not finish until Saturday.
The acute nursing staff then briefed me on the fast track release program and confirmed that I still wished to go ahead with it. I definitely was not pressured into leaving early.
Teresa arrived at 11:00 AM and was shocked at me leaving so soon. The Hospital really should have involved carers in the decision process.
We left the hospital and were home by about 2:30 PM.
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