Handhold requested, brain aneurysm surgery on Thurs and terrified about a GA

[Notverybrave]

I'm having endovascular coiling for a 10mm brain aneurysm. Aneurysms this size are uncommon in people my age (29) so I'm told. They will access my brain by going up through my femoral artery. I'll be out for 5 or 6 hours.

I'm crapping myself. I won't have anybody there for support before I go under or when i come around. My mum doesn't give a toss about me and hasn't checked on me in months.

I only really have my ExDP as "family" and he'll be having the kids.

The last general I had was 15 years ago and I found it quite traumatic as it was rushed in an emergency. I'm a panicky person where medical factors are concerned and I'm worried I'm going to make a fool of myself and have a panic attack when it's time for the GA.

I have very young children so I'm worried, hopefully unnecessarily, that I'll be leaving them behind 😔

that sounds scary , hopefully all will go well , anaesthetics can be different for folk, my daughters had many surgeries , and the one I was most terrified of, her really long one for double scoliosis straightening neck to hip (9 hours) she breezed through , her fundoplication one which was the shortest , she really didn't get on well with so please don't think that because it's been rough once, that it will be again. I really hope all goes well with your surgery, it's a lot to think of when you have little ones. Thinking of you

Thinking of you OP 💐 and sending a handhold.
You are a strong and you will get through this, even though I can appreciate how scarey it must be. I recently had a GA for some orthopaedic surgery and I actually found it a very comfortable process and woke up feeling quite relaxed, calm and like I’d had a really decent sleep. The medical staff were lovely and one lady put her hand my hand as I went under which felt reassuring.

My son (5) is having his first ever GA tomorrow and I’m feeling apprehensive for him, but I am confident he will be OK.

Have a hand and I wish you all the best. Hope the operation goes well and is a success. They are used to people being anxious and distressed before a GA it’s entirely normal reaction to the situation you find yourself in they will take great care of you

💐

When my children were young I needed a GA and was worried I wouldn't wake up. The lovely anaesthetist came to talk to me. He gave me something to calm my nerves and then said 'I won't let you die on the table - the paperwork is a nightmare!' That made me laugh! I was fine and am still here several GAs and many years later.

Good luck with your surgery.

I’ve always found anaesthetists to be very kind, calm and reassuring, plus they are 100% concentrating on you the whole time.

I also had major surgery for scoliosis, I was under from 8.30 am to 10pm, a bit groggy when I came round, but that was more to do with the pain relief I think.

I’ve had several other GAs and quite look forward to them, they’ve always been like a nice deep sleep. Try to look at it that way and think of how many GAs are being performed around the world every day, many in much less ideal conditions

Good luck for the surgery