"spinal operation and after care on ward"

I had wonderful care from my consultant and the spinal nurse, however because I had complications after 1st surgery I spent almost 3 weeks in hospital and had another operation.

There was a mixture of spinal and cranial patients on the ward and it was soon clear that the spinal patients came secondary to the cranial patients.

One nurse in particular was very rude, I had to wait almost 1 hour for pain relief because she said she was on her lunch one night and even then went looking at all the other sleeping patients before bringing me my pain relief. I felt I was subjected to psychological bullying by her on this ward and cried every day for my husband to take me home. It was the worst experience ever in hospital..

My wound became infected, I had to stay longer so the wound could be monitored. No-one bothered to look at it and just wrote in my notes that it was fine. When I complained I was told they expected me to tell them if their was a problem with the wound, but I could not feel anything so would not feel if it was bleeding or not. They said that if I woke up in a pool of blood then I would know something was wrong wouldnt I?

I was so traumatized and ill after my stay I just wanted to forget it and concentrate on my recovery at home so did not complain at the time. I wish I had, some of the nurses on that ward ought to find another job, they have the wrong attitude to be nurses. However, I would still like to emphasise the exceptional treatment received from my surgeon and the spinal nurse Fiona, its such a shame that they were let down by shabby nursing.