"Such a calm and efficient job"

I attended the Rapid Response Team in Enniskillen to have my staples removed. From the instant I came through the door, I was made very welcome. I was allocated a bed with a raised back by Heather who set about removing the dressing, very carefully. She took great care in removing the sticky attachment from the outer portion of the wound where I had warned her that I had very delicate skin there. All the time she kept checking and rechecking that I wasn't in pain. The wound was then cleaned and the 32 staples were in full view (she counted them!). The wound looked very good. 

I was warned, as she was joined by Ann, that she would try not to hurt me and that really proved true. I remember only 3 or so which did prick a bit during removal. Ann and Heather both kept checking that I wasn't in discomfort. I was also teased into being good, with cake and tea. They clearly knew how to  keep my spirits up!

Once everything was removed, one or two mini-bleeds were cleaned and soon stopped. I must admit, having seen many wounds on my leg in the past, this wound looked so good. I had no doubt that I was healing well.

Having cleaned the residue, they then considered the very top portion of my wound because it very slightly more open. After a brief discussion, they decided to apply several butterflies over the top portion. They went to great lengths to explain fully how those butterflies would help for now but would eventually fall off in their own good time. I didn't have to worry.

They lastly applied a new dressing to my knee as Melaine arrived to take my bloods, as one or two levels were a bit low last time. I have given blood for testing, so many times in the past months, that my veins are getting a little bruised but she had no problem in accessing the vein painlessly. She literally took just a few seconds to do the job; it was done so slickly, I didn't even notice when she applied a small plaster to the access point!

More tea and chocolate was offered before I thanked the ladies for such a calm and efficient job and departed back home.