Frequent hospitalisation

Having been hospitalized many a time, I absurdly refer to the hospital as my "second home"! Over the years I have come to know most of the doctors, nurses and staff in different departments. I would have thought by now, they'd offer me a deal; two visits for the price of one, or maybe a "frequent visit card"! With Parkinson's, I always have to ensure I've enough pills with me to cover my hospital stay, and I am held solely responsible for taking them. I always take with a list of my PD medications, dosages and times of day, so that the staff are aware of what I am taking, in addition to any medications that I'm allergic to, which I clearly mark in bright red. I had hip surgery a few years ago, and am so familiar with pre-operation procedures, I took it all in my stride. However, I did have to laugh when the surgeon drew a large arrow with a black marker on my leg indicating which one was to be operated, ensuring no mistakes once l lay unconscious on the operating table. The wrist band with my name on it, was reassuringly checked several times before I was finally wheeled into the operating room, where it is always so cold, I feel as if I've arrived at the North Pole. But alas no reindeer, cookies or hot chocolate, just a warm blanket was placed over me until the anaesthesiologist asked me to count back from ten, "10, 9, 8" is probably as far as I've ever managed to get before blissfully falling under his spell (or rather from the anaesthetic that's entered my veins). As long as I'm out for the count, and I can't see or hear anything, I'm just fine, and when I eventually open my eyes, I find I've magically returned from the North Pole and thankfully find myself in the warmer climate of the recovery ward. Even though the operation may have been a total success, it is ultimately up to the patient to make a full recovery, ensuring to follow any instructions, and physiotherapy being of great importance should be taken very seriously and done meticulously on a regular basis.