GOODBYE 5F

Hi all, Suz here.. Getting another chance to write the blog while I still can! And.. I definitely picked a good day!

When I arrived at the hospital dad had just come back from getting the anticipated chest and stomach X-Ray. This was going to be his ticket home if everything went to plan. I arrived to dad watching the morning news and eating porridge. It was definitely a pleasant sight to see him drain free and enjoying his breakfast! 
Mum had bought in some eggs and baked beans the previous day so we decided to pursue a full scale breakfast so headed into the kitchenette to tackle the microwave.
The anesthetists arrived and discussed a plan for the pain in the event that dad was able to go home. They seemed confident that dad could manage this himself if he was able to leave.
Next we saw profs team. They were waiting to hear results of the Chest XRay. They had seen a small air pocket in the top of the lung that was deflated during the operation. They  seemed positive but it was ultimately Prof who had the final say. 
Then came the best news of the week... Dad was able to shower! Towel flung over his shoulder and shaver in hand, dad told me to amuse myself for 20 minutes as after 10 days without a shower.. he wasn't going to rush.
We then decided to go down for a coffee at Theos - the much loved and needed coffee shop at the hospital. 
Dad and I proceeded to split a muffin and started to chat away over our coffees when we got the call... Prof Watson had arrived in the ward. 
We didn't want to miss this so had pre warned the nurses to give us a buzz if he came while we were gone. We quickly rushed up to meet him to hear the verdict.
The anticipation was over... Dad had been given the ALL CLEAR to go home!! Almost of equal importance Prof explained that dad had eaten way too much. He had a laugh about it saying that the stomach was only so big and if you keep filling it there is no where for the food to go.. but back up... 

After saying our farewells (for now) to prof and thanking him for his amazing work.. the penny finally dropped... The porridge, eggs, toast, baked beans and muffin had all gone in post XRay.. 

Now with the nod of approval, we started the discharge process. Dad and I met with the nutritionist and we waited for the pain medication to be processed.  
Nicole gave me a lesson in dressing wounds as she took out the remaining staples and re-patched dad. Apparently not so pain free now the pump pain relief was over but dad managed to keep all the staples as a memento.. So definitely worth it!
Mum and Gen arrived shortly after and we all said our final goodbyes to the nurses and all the team at flinders.  

Ward 5F.. You have been amazing! We never expected that dad would be back home this early and looking so good! Currently sitting on the couch, watching X Factor. Its been a long 10 days, but were here. Dad made it! In Profs words the recovery was substantially above average.. (my interpretation.. Freaking awesome!) This was not possible without the dedicated, friendly staff in 5F.. So THANK YOU. 


LESSONS LEARNED: Dads stomach now doesn't know when it is full...We definitely proved that today..!