April 16th, 2025

For a few days, I’d noticed some redness around the ankle of my foot. By the end of the day, it would swell up and the pain gradually increased. Since it was getting more and more uncomfortable, I booked an appointment with my surgeon to show him.

Thankfully, I got an appointment quickly. On Monday at 11 am, I went to his consultation. After examining the area, he suspected an infection and immediately arranged for me to be admitted to hospital for a biopsy.

On Tuesday, I returned once again to Sonnenhof Hospital in Bern. After the usual admission procedures (blood tests, weighing, etc.), I met the anaesthetist, who decided on a spinal anaesthetic, the kind that numbs from the pelvis down, which I’d experienced before during previous operations.

Early afternoon, in the preparation room, they administered the anaesthetic along with light sedation. A central venous catheter (CVC) was also inserted because it’s likely I’ll be given intravenous antibiotics. In the past, I often had issues with infusions in my arm, the veins would close up.

The operation lasted about 40 minutes. My legs were numb, but I remained somewhat conscious. Afterwards, the surgeon reassured me that, at first glance, nothing serious was found. Laboratory analyses are underway, some of which take up to 48 hours. I’m expected to stay in hospital for three to four days.

After the procedure, in the recovery room, I regained full consciousness. About an hour later, the surgeon came by to confirm that the preliminary results were negative, no staphylococcus detected, which is reassuring. One hypothesis is that my orthosis is compressing a vein in my foot, blocking circulation and causing the pain. For now, it’s just a guess.

Back in my room, a small snack was waiting for me. After going more than 24 hours without eating, it wasn’t quite enough, but a little later I was served a hearty dish of salmon pasta with sundried tomatoes, a real comfort.

I’m receiving mild pain relief via drip, along with preventive antibiotics. The night was a bit restless, with frequent visits to change antibiotic bags and a thrombosis injection at midnight. I didn’t get much sleep, even though I wasn’t in pain.

This morning around 6 am, the night team handed over to the day staff. At 7 am, my blood pressure, oxygen levels, and temperature were checked. Breakfast was substantial and well earned. Shortly after, the surgeon changed my dressing and was happy with how the scar looked.

A nurse then helped me swap my hospital gown for civilian clothes. I took the chance to freshen up and am thinking of taking a little walk around the ward, maybe even grabbing a coffee in the lounge, a place I’ve come to know well after all my stays here.