Part 2 - Me n my bonce

So pyjama shopping! Forget what it's for and it can be quite nice also a good excuse for a shopping trip with me Ma! Apart from backing into the post when we get there! No more driving for me this side of the op me thinks! Saw a few people whilst out shopping, did they know was that a sympathy smile or just a simple hi Dan?! Paranoia and worry setting in! A very quiet weekend leading upto my admission day Thursday 5th June! (Also the date of my last fag!) A quiet meal with some friends to be normal with and let them take the Michael out of me after all me n my big brain was getting sorted! Little did they know for the next 5 months and 1 day would they trotting up to see me in Kings and rehab! But like rocks they were stood by me through everything, as well as a diamond Mum, Dad, brother, sis in law, Aunts, Uncles, cousins the list is endless and would not be where I am without you all! Pre op done, half day at work Tuesday 4th June and celebrating my nephews 8th birthday lots of mixed emotions, big hugs with my niece and nephew that night! In the back of my mind they may have been the last or what if I forgot about them after my surgery? What would be worse, dying or losing my memory? I left my brothers that night quite emotional but not wanting to upset anyone kept quiet, typed a note on my phone of the funeral song I wanted, the cast of we will rock you - only the good die young! So my last night at home I had to get everything out to pack for my 5 day stay, so much stuff I ended up needing the holdall I take on holiday! Will I need my GHD's? Nah think I'll leave them behind! So hardly sleep then I spend the next day waiting anxiously for the call to go in, you have to wait to make sure they have a bed in case of emergencies! The letter says I have to be there by 4pm but I still haven't had my call, I rang the bed manager what seemed like a million times and then the call came we are ready for you Danielle! Yikes seemed like such a short drive to Camberwell that day even during school traffic! Here I am! Up to the ward to be told my bed is not ready and I have to wait in the day room! People coming and going 1 patient in the dayroom with a little plaster on his neck but like mec-a-neck from He-Man unable to move his head independent of his shoulders! Oh my that's gonna be me and this is his second op! I was only told I need 1, mum and dad could see the pure panic in my face I'm sure! I went with mum for a ciggie n dad chatted to him to find out more! Fortunately it was completely different surgery he had vertebrates fused together! Phew! Although I still kept staring at his plaster! Finally my bed was ready, my own room! Woo-hoo! Hang up where's the ensuite? Lol! Welcome to the NHS Spanner! So am now allowed to have a drink (of the soft kind!) so me mum and dad go to the restaurant also allowed to eat - my last meal! All looks a bit spicy for my delicate pallet so I kept it classy like the classy bird I am with a chip butty and a cup of rosie lee! Followed by not that I knew it then my last ever fag! Another good thing to come out of this I finally gave up fags after 15 years (10 if mum and dad reading!) Back to my room and my surgeons registrar came in for some routine tests, sensitivity, sight, balance a really nice bloke and to this day still can't pronounce his name so I call him Pedro! (Not that he knows this!) that's it mum and dad have to go, operation will be 12.30 tomorrow, but they are allowed to comeback earlier to meet the superstar that is Mr Chris Chandler!