I am the newbie with a huge support network. I'll let them know about visiting and being my voice. Someone has already kindly given me a A4 sized whiteboard, with a keychain attachment so that I can secure it to my bed, so that if I'm on my own in hospital I can communicate.

I'll speak to my surgical team about visiting hours and how many people I can have at a time. Work is 20minutes away from the hospital and they all want to visit and allow my husband a break too.

My med team keep telling me to take ALL the pain meds so I am doing just that.

When I'm out of hospital my husband and I are having a week together to get into a routine. My mum is going to come for a few days the following week and then the rest of my family and friends are going come over when I ask them to.

I've got a few mates on 'appearance watch' so blood dribbles etc lol.

It's still overwhelming, but coming on here everyday going through old threads and understanding as many possibilities is helping. I'm writing down questions and making lists of things that'll help me through my recovery.