A Break between Cutlets

One of the few meals that my mother cooked well was crumbed lamb cutlets which she regularly prepared for us. My kids loved these and now my grandchildren who have developed a taste for them often request when coming to our home for dinner.

Back on 6th October Robert and I prepared some cutlets for dinner with a daughter and her daughters. I had been feeling a little unwell during the day but I still managed to put three cutlets away. 

Four weeks later our other daughter and her family visited for a cutlet dinner. On this occasion Robert prepared the meal and I exercised restraint by devouring only one cutlet. 

Crumbed Cutlets - a family favourite

The four weeks between these two cutlet meals proved to be rather eventful for me.

I had a most uncomfortable night on the 6th October with sharp abdominal pain. On being woken by me early on the 7th Robert said "I'm taking you to hospital". 

By 6:30 am I had been delivered to Lake Macquarie Private Hospital Emergency Department where I was given some welcome pain relief and had blood tests and a CT scan. I was made comfortable and had to wait for the pathology and CT results. It didn't look good. I had diverticulitis, a perforated bowel and an abscess in my colon. The consultant on call wanted me transferred to the large public hospital nearby where I could have emergency surgery immediately if necessary.

So this reluctant patient was popped into an ambulance for her ride to John Hunter Hospital. On arrival I was assessed by the surgical team who, because I had other medical issues, decided to treat my condition conservatively with IV antibiotics and other mysterious potions. For nearly two weeks and after daily blood tests and two CT scans it was noted that the IV treatment wasn't doing its job and that the abscess was growing.

At this time I was tired of the public hospital and felt like a ping pong ball being bounced from one doctor to another. I finally demanded a change to a surgeon (nominated by me) and a transfer to the private hospital down the road. At last I got some action. I was transferred and scheduled for surgery on 20th August. 

Off to surgery at last

The surgeon was able to remove a couple of sections of my bowel and drain my abscess without the need for a colostomy. I spent the next 12 days (5 in ICU) in the private hospital with regular visits from my surgeon before being sent home under the care of supernurse Robert.

While I'm not eating much I am so grateful that just four weeks after that first cutlet meal I am on the road to recovery and was able to celebrate with one crumbed cutlet.

Thanks to all my family, friends and genimates who have followed my journey via Facebook. Social Media and other means. Your support is much appreciated.