Accident and Emergency

I am writing this as the GOG is currently in Addenbroookes in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). After being in considerable pain for an hour or more, he woke me to say he needed to go to Addenbrookes. He was admitted into Accident and Emergency (A and E) just after 0400 hours, but then his blood pressure ‘dropped like a stone’ and they took him to the resuscitation area where he was monitored on a one-to-one basis as well as being seen several times by the doctor and three surgeons.

The morning dragged on with urine and blood tests as well as x-rays and a CT Scan. He was ‘nil by mouth’ very early on, as they suspected a perforated bowel, which was confirmed by the CT Scan although they were not sure at that stage whether it was a minor or major perforation.

He was taken to the Intermediate Dependency Area (IDA) where he met the anaesthetist, was given a pain pump and an ECG. He went to theatre at 1150 hours and we waited in various parts of the hospital including the relative’s room next to the theatres. No bed was available in ICU until 1730 hours, so he had to stay in the theatre with the anaesthetist as he was too poorly to go to the recovery room. We eventually got to see him for a few minutes at 1840 hours although he was heavily sedated; they will keep him sedated during the night.

Unfortunately it was major, rather than a more minor operation and it could be as long as two weeks or even more before he is allowed home.