Monday was the day they were hoping to send me back to Oakdale Ward in Harrogate.

I had breakfast and fairly early on, one of the physios came to see me. She had a chat with me and then did some assessments with my hand and arms. Once she’d done this, she said we were going to go for a little walk. She didn’t help me today.

We walked down the corridor and back. I felt okay on my feet walking but very wobbly, I was walking like I was on a tightrope, I was apprehensive and slow. I felt a little like bambi.

I was impressed I’d done it and gone further than the day before. 😊👍

Once we got back to the bed she told me that she’d be recommending me to walk by myself now but with someone beside me, just incase.

This was great. I was happy that my walking was okay and that I was able to start trying by myself – only 3 days after surgery! Also amazed at the progress in such a short space of time!

The rest of the morning was chilled. I was definitely going back to Harrogate. They were just waiting for someone to come and get me to drive me back.

Eventually, around lunch time, two paramedics came. I got in a wheelchair and they got my things together and off we went.

I got in the back of an ambulance but this time I was able to sit in a chair with my seatbelt on. The windows were dark but I could see everything.

I hadn’t been anywhere other than on a stretcher for 3 days so this felt like a step forward.

It was a sunny day, lovely blue sky, the fields were green. I suppose everything looked amazing and I felt emotional and grateful to be looking at everything.

It was a bumpy ride and I knew it would be at least 40 minutes which made me a little anxious. I felt sad that I’d left the team in Leeds who had been looking after me so well and been so friendly.

Onto the next chapter….

It’s very difficult being so reliant on other people when you’re used to doing everything yourself – nothing is really in your control.

When I arrived in Harrogate, they took me to Oakdale Ward. I was checked in and to my joy, I had a private room! Yay! 🤗

I kind of settled in to my room, I was still very tired, I also hadn’t had any lunch.

A medical registrar came to see me and asked questions. One of the Occupational Therapists came to have a quick chat as well. I asked if I could try to have a shower and she said she’d organise someone to come and assist me.

Having a shower was the best thing ever. I hadn’t had one since the previous Thursday. Having someone with me didnt bother me at all. I didn’t care, I just wanted the shower and clean hair and fresh clothes. The water hitting my head and body felt amazing! The girl with me had to help with the shampoo and conditioner – I couldn’t do it myself. I also had to sit as I was too tired to stand.

I actually had to hold the shower head and managed this with my left arm and hand (my weaker side) as well as my right.

The staff I met were lovely. They made sure I had some food and were really welcoming.

I think Rob, mum and Dad came in the afternoon and they came back in the evening with my sister.

It felt strange being in Harrogate. I’d gone from having a catheter and cannula in, the ECG on me, a blood pressure cuff and the compression things on my legs with obs every 2-4 hrs at LGI, to nothing in Harrogate. Obs only once on an evening and once on a morning.

I was still very tired that day and slept a little.

Dinner was around 5.15-5.30pm. Visiting times were 2-4pm and then 6-8pm. Once everyone had left I pretty much went to sleep. I had my obs taken around 8.30pm, the night shift nurse introduced herself and a few others did as well.

I was to press my buzzer if I needed anything and I didn’t wait long when I did. Still a very broken nights sleep.

I was looking forward to the following day.