"My first experience of surgery in 70 years of life..."

This was my first operation I have had, this was needed to undergo surgery for an inguinal hernia that I had done. I was very apprehensive about the operation but need not have worried. Right from the first consultation (where the surgeon explained to me what need to be done in simple terms that was easily understood), then through the pre-admission tests to the operation itself, the staff at the Chaucer Hospital were simply excellent. In particular the medical staff were terrific, all showing great awareness and kept me fully informed with simple explanations as to what was going to happen next. On the day of the operation, I had the same nurse throughout the duration of my stay, she was simply wonderful. Her support before the operation and afterwards was excellent. I was so impressed that she had so much time and patience for a 70 wuss! The theatre staff undertaking the process of anaesthesia were superb and so caring as well as so being human and compassionate. They put me at ease with matter of fact conversation whilst administering the anaesthetic. The next moment I knew was that as I came round in the recovery area, I was looking at the very same staff as I came round and they promptly took up the same conversation as before! I returned to my room to be met by the same nurse who arranged for a lovely cup of tea and some much needed sandwiches (which after eight hours of no food were most welcome). She checked my pain levels and then left me with my wife to chat. She made regular checkups post operation and told me when the surgeon would be coming to see how I was. I was surprised how well I felt, how well the pain post operation had been controlled. The surgeon was extremely good in running through what had been done and what to expect next and concluded by asking if I would like to go home eight hours after admission! I had been prepared for an overnight stay but despite the comfort of the hospital room, my own bed was more attractive. The nurse explained to me before discharge how to control the pain levels, she talked to wife about when and how to change the waterproof dressings (a very clever Swedish make). She was an example of caring and compassion and was a credit to the nursing profession. Four weeks on, I am now completely back to my old self but avoiding heavy lifting for ever.