"Op cancelled but I keep smiling. I'm still..."

I had a planned operation for last Friday.

I arrived at Hugh Fleming ward on Thursday morning and for the next 48 hours I couldn't have asked for more.

The staff from the consultant surgeon to the auxiliary staff were fantastic.

Nothing was too much trouble and everyone had a smile when they walked onto the ward.

Being nil by mouth from 4am Friday morning (my operation was scheduled for 4pm) wasn't that easy when the smell of food wafted through the corridor.

The morning went quickly, then at 2pm the nerves kicked in!

Staff were reassuring, sat and talked to me, and offered a hug when I needed one. The next 1 1/2 hours went so slowly, then at 3:30pm I got the news - an emergency transplant had arisen and therefore my operation was cancelled.

At first I was upset and tearful, my head was spinning - why me, why cancel my operation?

Once I'd calmed down, I was given tea with digestive biscuits and took them into the garden - I needed to be alone.

Then suddenly I felt so very guilty!!

How could I possibly be this selfish? Someone had died to save someone else's life - this puts everything into perspective!!

I want to thank everyone for their caring manner, their sincerity and their thoughtfulness.

Whilst it was upsetting for me to be told my operation had been cancelled for this emergency, in reality, my cancellation was nothing compared to the life saving operation that took place instead.

The staff at Papworth are outstanding and I'm just so very grateful that Im being treated by the best hospital in the UK. i will get another date - will get another chance of a normal life - others are not do lucky!! X