Well, Monday was mad. What a week.

TL;DR: On Monday, August 12, 2024, I had my appendix removed via keyhole surgery. The entire experience is a blur, and I was in and out of the hospital within 18 hours. Everything went smoothly, and I'm on the mend.

Over the weekend, I attended a friend's wedding in the Scottish Borders. Everything was normal—I was eating and drinking plenty. I got home on Sunday evening, and we ordered Chinese food to cap off the weekend.

Around 11 p.m., I felt a slight pain in my side. It wasn't severe, but it was uncomfortable. I went to bed and slept okay, but by Monday morning, the pain had worsened. By midday, I was doubled over in agony.

I called the GP at 2:30 p.m., got an appointment at 3:30 p.m., and by 4:30 p.m., I was admitted to a ward at the R.A.H. in Paisley. After a few scans and assessments, I was scheduled for emergency surgery to remove my appendix.

I went into surgery around 9 p.m. and woke up from the general anesthetic at about 11 p.m. I was home by 11 a.m. the next morning.

The whole day is a blur, but I'm recovering well. The biggest takeaway for me is the absolutely faultless service I received from NHS Scotland. From the moment I called the GP to the moment I left the hospital, I can't find a single fault with any person or process I encountered. I feel incredibly lucky to have access to this amazing service.

This post is a bit rambly and is really just a brain dump, but also a heartfelt thank you to NHS Scotland and everyone involved in delivering our health service.