Leigh Holland-Keen

Leigh Holland-Keen Instagram – 3 weeks ago I underwent some pretty brutal surgery, surgery that I knew was risky but had to be done. I went to sleep after being told they would have to remove my left kidney, spleen, left ovary, part of my bowel, the 1kg liposarcoma and I’d have a “chemo washout” . I was so scared. It is so daunting being on your own and being faced with this. I also had an epidural prior to being sedated which brought back horrible memories of my birth but the team made me as comfortable as possible and gave me alot of reassurance which helped me in so many ways.
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I was extubated early as the surgery went well and I’m “fit and healthy” , the tumor was removed much easier than anticipated and they managed to keep the majority of my organs. I woke up with drips and drains coming out of everywhere – Arterial lines, central line, indwelling catheter, 2 abdominal drains, nasogastric tube, 3 intravenous cannulas, TPN, epidural infusion, and an oxycodone PCA.
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The next day, I had a cardiac arrest requiring CPR – I came round to a busy room full of medical staff racing around, working hard. I was told I would need a temporary pacing wire and the possibility of a pacemaker being inserted. After discussions with the cardiologist- they wanted to monitor me but attached to the defibrillator, an echocardiogram showed I have a bicuspid aortic valve with regurgitation (something I wasn’t aware of).
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After 5 or 6 days in ICU I was finally moved to the ward – a few days in I developed an acute onset of new pain – I’d rather have back to back births than this pain again – I had an urgent CT at midnight to show I had pancreatitis. I was started on a continuous ketamine infusion which unfortunately made me hallucinate and I became agitated – that was stopped within 24hrs. After a couple of days things started to settle. Day by day, more drips and drains were being removed. I was in bed for 12 days so mobilising feels very weird and wobbly.
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This has certainly changed me – physically and mentally. I’ll grow from this, I know it – but first I need to focus on getting my independence back and allowing myself to heal. | Posted on 19/Aug/2022 17:38:29