08/08/25 Fri
Hi Rosie!
First, I hope your back is feeling better!! 😁
Second, I am not sure how obvious or otherwise it was, but I apolgize for my groggy state during my last appointment (05 Aug 2025) with you.
I had about 1 hour's sleep on the previous night and was running on groggy fumes that day. As a consequence, I didn't answer your questions as I might otherwise have. So this is my attempt to rectify that as best as I can.
But more importantly, I want to say a Big Thank You for all you did for me. Not least of which was your support re. my health decisions and choices, and even more importantly, you cheered for me & my desired outcomes. From this side of the fence, I just want you to know how immensely uplifting and healing that was from every level. 😁
Now to some of the questions, as best as I can remember them.
Q: "Did I do a good job?"
I asked you who it was that sewed me up and when you confirmed that it was you, you asked me, "Why? Did I not do a good job?" My answer was a bit wobbly then (lack of sleep!!! 😁) so let me answer more fully now. You did a great job, thank you so much. You must have done a Great job because:
• I didn't even use the self-administed pain killer meds on Friday, the day of the op (20/6/25) - at all!
• I was out of the bed and in the chair the day after (Sat) and even went for a short walk with one of the nurses. Accompanied by my less than trendy "chocolate" bag and pissy bag!
• I walked for 1 - 1.5 hours around the empty ECU ward on Sunday and
• was discharged on Mon morning.
• and now I am practically running around, minus one magically-removed surgical tape from my tummy!! 🤣
So Yes! Of course you did a great job!!!
• I didn't even use the self-administed pain killer meds on Friday, the day of the op (20/6/25) - at all!
• I was out of the bed and in the chair the day after (Sat) and even went for a short walk with one of the nurses. Accompanied by my less than trendy "chocolate" bag and pissy bag!
• I walked for 1 - 1.5 hours around the empty ECU ward on Sunday and
• was discharged on Mon morning.
• and now I am practically running around, minus one magically-removed surgical tape from my tummy!! 🤣
So Yes! Of course you did a great job!!!
Q: "So, when would you like to visit us again?"
Now, you might have asked this tongue in cheek but either way, I think in answer, both Pete and I gave you a pretty horrifed look. Sorry! "It's not you, it was us!" 🤣 That's because PeterMac and RWH is associated firstly with ... well, you know....
However, in my head (but it didn't come out because of the sluggish mouth-brain communication), the answer was, of course we would like to visit you again. In spite of and despite the reason why we were at PeterMac in the first place, our encounters with you have been unfailingly enjoyable and heart warming. However we did have to wake at 4am to make our 9:30am appointment and it is a massive travel, to and fro, each time. Tele-consults would have been great if it had been on the cards for future visits.
Thank-Yous
Again, I blame my fuzzy brain on that day 😁, otherwise I would have adamantly stressed to you how grateful I am to you and to all the medical staff I came in contact with: the dedicated nurses on the ECU, the colorectal surgeons who came by (Cian, Michael, Daniel), and very especially Dr Nivi (Niveditha Rahadevan) who was so lovely ... and comforting!
In closing this long-winded letter, just a little pressie to wish you a very, very good day from this happy person in Apollo Bay.
🤗 with loads of thanks 🤗
Helena
p/s Pete and I hope to see you in AB sometime and maybe catch up for a coffee and/or a meal?
clearlyHelena1@gmail.com || 0481 06 99 55
