Update

Today I am going home from hospital. Early. Finally.

This has been so much harder than I thought it would be.

Just little things:
I was in ICU for 36 hours with very little sleep.
The worse moment was when the nurse had to take out the two drains before I had to come back to the ward.
The removal of the epidural was less traumatizing.
Lying on my back for 60 hours was difficult.
I felt that I had been forgotten when brought to my room but that turned out to be just the nurse that was on duty.
The food has been revolting. They don't really provide for people with dairy allergies.
I have survived on cold peanut butter toast, dubious sandwiches and jelly and herbal tea.
On the bright side I may have lost some weight even though I haven't had much exercise. Gareth brought me a ham, avocado and tomato sandwich yesterday.

The pain hasn't been too bad. Bearable.
My life started to return to semi normal when all the drips and catheters were removed.
Have started physio .

Have an appointment on Friday at local GP for the staples to be removed. Even have a special little tool to take with me. Am terrified.

And then, it is approximately 6 weeks until I can drive again.
Cannot carry anything over 1 kg. There goes my handbag - see previously post.
No bending and twisting.
Start walking 10 mins twice a day increasing 5 mins every week until I get up to 40 mins twice a day.
Physio exercising three times a day - including pool exercises when the staple holes heal up.

I now have some new hardware in my body. Two rods and four screws now holding part of my back together.

Update of the update - I'm home! I've had a cup of coffee and some real food. Oh happy days (cue the music)
More later