This is where we went today. In fact, we went not once but twice.

Guy’s Hospital

The reason I had come here was briefly mentioned in my post Great Maze Pond. My dentist had tried to remove a tooth but had succeeded in removing only the top part, leaving the roots behind. As these were very long, removing them was considered a job best left to the oral surgeons at Guy’s Hospital . Today was the day when this was to be done.

As before, Tigger accompanied me (happily, she did not have to go in to work today). As she was not allowed to go with me inside the hospital, I regretfully bade her adieu at the entrance which is pictured above.

My appointment was in the tower on floor 23. I discovered that there was a queue for the lifts. The reason is that although there are (I think) eight lifts, because of the pandemic, only four people are allowed in a lift at one time. The queue was regulated by two security persons.

I eventually reached floor 23 and presented myself with my appointment letter at reception. Then I sat and waited to be called.

I was attended to by an experienced oral surgeon and an acolyte in training. He, in fact, did most of the work.

I will draw a discreet veil over the proceedings as I doubt whether you wish to know the details. I was told that I must not imbibe any hot drinks for the rest of the day and, of course, to avoid chewing on that side of the mouth. The wound has been stitched and the stitches will in time dissolve by themselves. I was also given an information sheet with a phone number to call for advice if this should be necessary.

I met up with Tigger and, as I had been told to avoid strenuous activity and to take things easy today, we caught the 43 and returned home.

Before releasing me, they had checked the wound and said that the bleeding had ceased. I was sceptical about this because when the tooth had been extracted, bleeding had continued, necessitating a trip to A&E to let them deal with it. (See A trip to A&E.)

Back home, I kept watch on the wound and, sure enough, it was bleeding and continued to do so despite me biting in gauze pads as instructed to do.

Around midday, therefore, I phoned the number on the instruction sheet. I was asked to return to the hospital at 1:30. Hence the second visit to Guy’s. Once again, Tigger came with me and entertained herself outside while I was in the hospital.

Again, there was a queue for the lifts and a visit to floor 23 where I was examined and then instructed in bite on a gauze pad for 15 minutes. By now, the painkilling injections had ceased to have an effect and the wound was beginning to ache. Pressing a pad on it was painful but I managed to bear it for the 15 minutes. I was told that the bleeding had stopped but, ominously, they gave me a supply of gauze pads, “in case”.

I had not had anything to eat or drink since breakfast so around 4pm Tigger made me a sandwich which I cut into small pieces which were easier to chew in the left side of my mouth. What about drink, though? I am not allowed hot drinks so no tea… unless… Tigger made me a pot of my Russian caravan tea and I am leaving it to go cold. Cold drinks are allowed and so I shall just have to drink me tea cold today.

I’m sorry for the lack of photos in this post but I really wasn’t in the mood for photography. All being well, normal service will be resumed soon!