After the Break (Part 3 - Surgical Decision)

After the Break (Part 3 - Surgical Decision)

Mum had been in hospital a few days, and had further checks and x-rays; it became clear her broken ankle wasn't going to heal without surgery. 

A charming young orthopaedic surgeon came to explain the problem to Mum, but we could tell she wasn't really taking anything in.  All she could hear was "operation" and "anaesthetic," and she was terrified.

The consultant was incredibly patient. Over and over again, he explained what they would need to do; he said they would try an epidural, rather than general anaesthesia, so she would be awake during the operation.  She was visited by the anaesthetist, a jovial chap, who told her even if she did have to have to be asleep, modern anaesthetics are so good, and out of the system so quickly after an operation, they were much safer than the ones used when Mum was young, and she should really have the confidence to go ahead. 

Somewhere in her head, I think Mum realised all along that there was no option but to sign the consent form, and get on with it; the longer she left it, the more difficult things would get.  At last, after more cajoling from the surgeon, and reassurance from all the staff on the ward, Mum got hold of a pen, and, with a flourish, signed the form.

"That's it!" she cried, throwing the biro down. "I know that will be the last of me! I feel it in my bones, and I'm psychic!"  

Following that outburst, Mum calmed down a bit; and then the staff ran a battery of tests on Mum which, amazingly for her age, came back as pretty good!

When Mum was a child, she had rheumatic fever, and we knew this had affected her heart. She had been diagnosed with a roughening on the mitral valve, and had always been told to ".......be very careful.... no exertion.....take care of your heart."  

I think that all her life, Mum has been scared about the problems with her heart; yet looking back, you have to think, what a life she has had - and is still having!  She grew up; got married; had a baby. Went out to East Africa; had a great career as an accountant. Travelled back and forth on many occasions  between Africa and the UK by ship (in those years - the 40s, 50s and 60s - it was the only way to travel!) and then in the 70s and 80s, by air. When my Grandma died in Durban in 1985, and Mum came back to live in England permanently, she got herself another job in London, and carried on working until she was over 70! Not bad for someone who had been told to "...... take it easy, and be careful. "