Don't blink or you'll miss it!

I've been pursuing this operation for years. It's been month's in the planning. Countless weeks of preparation. I've made hundreds of phone calls over the years, sent dozens of emails - Good Lord! I've even used one of those long pointy things called pens to write real letters to real people. Over time I must have seen a dozen or so different Consultants all over the country. I've watched videos of the op - read books, articles - I've even considered doing it myself! It has, to say the least, been prominent in my life for quite sometime.

Today is OP day... And here I am sitting in bed on my ward - I've just sent a text message to Lin to say I'm OK, that the op is done and all is well... and yet I feel robbed...

Let me explain:

I was expecting Holby City or for those old enough to remember - Emergency Ward 10. I wanted dashing surgeons and glamorous nurses, flashing lights and drama - I wanted to see the mighty machines that were going to keep me alive throughout my ordeal - to see tubes going everywhere carrying liquids of many colours and shiny instruments ready to cut into my flesh...

What I got was this...

I'm lying on a trolley surrounded by three guys in silly hats and even sillier glasses. One leans over and says something like "We're just going to lower the back down Robin and then we can give you something to help you sleep..."
I blink...
The guy in the funny hat has turned into a smiling nurse in a funny hat.
"Hello Robin... All done now!"

I lift my head
"You're kidding me... that can't possibly be it..."

I blink again and I'm back on my ward... game over... and bugger me I missed it!
I don't even feel groggy.

So if you want to know what it's like to have an operation these days I'm afraid I'm not the man to ask - haven't a clue... not the foggiest. I just blinked and that was it.