This morning was jam-packed with visits to the Mater to get CF antibiotics, see my GP for my post-surgery antibiotic brainstorm, get a new referral for my immunologist so my plasma approvals don't expire (BS bureaucracy at its best, and not good timing right now!), sort out loads of medications to bring to the hospital, pack my bag, and various other life admin tasks.

Down to the wire at 1145 (Carlos and I had a 1245 departure booked for 1 pm admission) I decided to order Uber Eats to kill birds. Keep packing and someone else can bring me my lunch! By 1235 we were a bit stressed as it hadn't arrived. Called the hospital to see if I could be 10 minutes late (usually the proactive admissions are relaxed) and they said it was no worries. (Thankfully they didn’t ask why!). So we wait... my food arrives at 12:50ish, I down that last delightful treat, and away we go!

We arrive at the front doors around 113pm, get the bag out of the boot and my zip breaks off. We both cracked up laughing (photo evidence below). The perfect metaphor for my current life. Everything is basically broken haha

Even my bag wants out of this chapter. It's my Whitsunday's boating/visit the Duda's in Cairns bag. I think it saw the hospital doors and bailed out. If it had a voice... "nope, no thank you... I'm built for travel, not hospitals. Our time together ends now!"

Overall the experience here has been super refreshing compared to the Wesley (whom I've broken up with for way too many reasons). Everyone says "Welcome" and greet you like you've stepped into a resort. Carl and I laughed that even the drive to the door was lined with palm trees and pretty plants... he asked if he could stay too haha

It was all systems go the minute I walked in the door! They are super efficient. Admin was nothing like I've experienced before. And the Dr was already looking for me! So straight to my room for a full-blown medical review with a doctor that felt like hours! I then got a 5-minute breather, then whisked away for chest x-rays, then back again, then bloods, then nurses doing obs and the like, then diet chit/chats and some meal planning.

Just when I think it's enough for the day there is a whohar with my medications not being in their packaging... and they will need to order new ones from the pharmacy. This was a rookie error. I know better than this and can’t believe I had this oversight.

For any of you expert hospital patients, you know what this means. Cha-ching, cha-ching.... basically, pharmacy-priced meds are like airport-priced anything. So I find my voice and convince them to let me have them unpackaged tonight and Hans will bring my boxes up in the morning!

Other positive notes - they seem to be handling my dietaries super well. I've got a private room (unlike the Wesley hospital) and not a bad view of the city.

Hopefully, this is all a good sign for the next 5 or so days being handled really well too!

What's next?
Tomorrow will be loaded with more scans and tests... from memory an echocardiogram, ECG, respiratory stuff (e.g. various breathing tests), and maybe some more bloods pending the first batch. More time with the assigned doctor getting me prepped, and no doubt other random stuff!!

If all the tests come back a-ok, then I get approved for surgery Thursday 10 am.

Fingers crossed!

PS thanks for all the messages etc. I'll try to get back to them all tomorrow!