Tablets and phones

[Boxroad]

I was wondering if your allowed to use a tablet and mobile phone while in the cardiac centre in Basildon, and do they have WiFi?

[Maisiemay13]

I was there on Tuesday used my phone did not sign into WiFi

[Boxroad in reply to Maisiemay13]

I hope all was went well for you? We’re you allowed to take anyone with you

[Maisiemay13 in reply to Boxroad]

It went well thank you,no one is allowed in unfortunately.

Hope all goes well for you

[Hidden]

Not only can you, but it they give you free wifi to use them with... And it worked very well in Chelmer Ward during my stay and in the Outpatients Reception area when waiting for appointments. It was so good that almost all of us in the ward were Facetiming or Skyping family and friends using video connection.

Once you get there and register tyour arrival, go to connect WiFi, look for NHS Wifi and follow the instructions to connect. You will end up viewing a web browser where you can scroll down and click 'just take me to the internet'.

[Boxroad in reply to Hidden]

I am booked into Thames ward

[Maisiemay13 in reply to Boxroad]

I was booked into Thames ward

[Hidden in reply to Boxroad]

Ah, so you're more of a day procedure then... I enjoyed a stay in Colne Ward (post heart surgery), and then moved to Chelmer Ward which is your pre-surgery admission and post surgery recovery ready to go home ward. I did get to enjoy some trips around the main hospital for some tests etc - that bridge is not a good ride in a wheel chair 😶

The staff were excellent, the mobile phone signal attrocious. But once you hooked up to the free WiFi, you might as well be sitting next to the people you want to speak to etc.

Chelmer Ward has a lovely view of London Gateway docks, Thames Valley and when flying, some jets taking off from Southend 👍

Hope you have a good time during your vist/ stay. Oh, and if offered food, do not get any hot foods with fish fingers or fish portions - the rest is OK, just give the fish a miss 😆

[Boxroad in reply to Boxroad]

Did you have stents fitted

[Hidden in reply to Boxroad]

No, i had a triple bypass, repairs to the LV and an Aorta replacement (not the valve). Stents would have been a great option if i'd been able to get away with them. I had an Angiogram, which is the same procedure as carried out for stenting, and i found it more than acceptable. Glad i took some sarnies for post procedure - cos sitting around waiting for the nod to go home can be a tad frustrating. And i dont think they'll let you go downstairs to the Costa to get a sarnie or panini until all cleared to go home.

You will definitely be grateful of your smartphone and tablet to stave off the boredom

[Boxroad in reply to Hidden]

Are you feeling any better now

[Hidden in reply to Boxroad]

Things are much, much better thank you. So much better now that i can get out and start to get walking again.

[Boxroad in reply to Hidden]

I hope your recovery carries on and you get to enjoy life to the full

[Hidden in reply to Boxroad]

Thank, and all the best for you too...

[Billy_Bedstead]

I can use my phone and stuff on itu which I’m still in....WiFi’s not brilliant But I’m

I nirmmimgham,..,

[080311 in reply to Billy_Bedstead]

Morning,

Hope your doing well, post when you can to let us know how you are.

Best wishes Pauline

[Billy_Bedstead in reply to 080311]

Good morning Pauline, How are you?

I am back home now following my quad CABG on 5th March. I feel a bit achy but otherwise fabulous - you were so right about looking after lungs. A little wobble at the beginning but great now.

I see I sent a message from ITU... I have no memory of that!

The one thing I haven't quite got rid of is that taste. I do feel like I've been sucking on a carburettor for the last week.

I feel so fortunate and grateful. Utterly brilliant hospital staff.

Hope there are signs of spring by you and that you and the family are all well

warmest wishes,

Neil

[080311 in reply to Billy_Bedstead]

Good morning Neil

So pleased to read your post, great your home and doing ok. Just remember slowly does it, keep doing the breathing exercises it really does help.

I am ok, got the results of the last kidney function and they have stabilised so that was great. Have another blood test in a couple of weeks just for blood count, but apart from that all good. Still haven’t had my echocardiogram check but my heart (valve) seems ok my little pigs valve is going well.

I live in central Scotland so spring isn’t here yet though the bulbs are trying!

Just reread your post and the comment about being fortunate and grateful really resounded with me, it’s as if I had been given a wonderful gift, that I could have my life extended by the most gifted medical team!

So take your time, you will get your stamina back gentle walking to start with and then it will be onwards and upwards.

Best wishes Pauline

[Billy_Bedstead in reply to 080311]

Thank you Pauline, I hope the blood results come back OK and you can relax fully. I have other problems they found while looking at my heart but, hey, all in good time.

I can't get over how grateful I feel. The brilliant hospital staff were a rainbow of diversity but a unity of compassion and kindness.

I'm not at all religious but I feel blessed.

Have a great Sunday!

Neil

[080311 in reply to Billy_Bedstead]

Read your comment about feeling blessed, I had been in hospital for 7 weeks before my surgery really sick, and then transferred to the Golden Jubilee in Glasgow. The night before my op, my family had left and I was looking out on the river Clyde and this feeling of peace came, as if someone was saying it will be ok, just relax I will take care of you. I know it sounds really silly but it happened and it was before my pre-med😂Hope whatever problems you are looking at are easily sorted.

Pauline

[Boxroad in reply to Billy_Bedstead]

How are you feeling? I hope all went well

[Hidden in reply to Billy_Bedstead]

A patient at Basildon commented that he found the WiFi not so good when he was in a bed above where the MRI and CT Scanner machines were located - he thought it was the magnetic interferance affecting the signal. ICU and Reocvery Wards at Basildon are 3 and 4 floors above such machines where as Day Procedures sit right on top of them. Interesting theory...

The important things is: your op went well and you are undergoing a good recovery

👍

[Billy_Bedstead]

Hey Boxroad, how are you? I think I replied to this but can't see a record of it on here. I'm a bit foggy and my typing skills have definitely suffered!

All is very well here. Have you got any news of your tests?

kindest regards,

Neil

[Boxroad in reply to Billy_Bedstead]

I have my angiogram on the 23rd, it’s good to see your back home, what is the recovery time your looking at?

[Billy_Bedstead]

Thanks Boxroad, I appreciate that. I had an angiogram and found the procedure painless and efficient.

I have to exercise and build my tolerance back up, mainly by walking to start with. I feel like I've been given a new lease of life. I have to be careful with lifting things because of the sternal healing but that should be good in 3 months or so.

I lost a bit of confidence walking when I had angina so I can't wait to get out there again.

Take it easy

Neil

[Boxroad in reply to Billy_Bedstead]

Is it painful as it looks? They sure leave a scar, did you suffer with your breathing? I get very chesty

[Billy_Bedstead]

I have to say the pain wasn't near as bad as I thought it might be. They gave me a morphine pump but then stopped that as my breathing was bit depressed. IV Paracetamol is just as good!

I had oral paracetamol thereafter and it's been fine.

I've just done my walk outside to the end of the street 9 days post op and feel great.

Regarding chestiness they give you IV antibiotics and encourage coughing and physio to open up the pipes.

As for the scars, I've got more zips on me now than Sid Vicious' trousers.

[Boxroad in reply to Billy_Bedstead]

All upwards from here mate, it’s amazing what can be done now, it’s not many years ago you would have been in bed for weeks, when have you got to go back in for check up?

[Billy_Bedstead]

6 weeks... maybe over the internet. I’ll have appointments for cardiac rehab too.

Years ago it used to be a week in bed with a hernia!