Anyone want to hold my hand as I'm having surgery tomorrow?

[lisalisa]

Its not the surgery that I would like my hand holding over. Its the general anasthetic. I have a phobia of anaesthetics and operating theatres. It is somehting I can't really control and I'm scared that I'll bolt like a rabbit once there instread of going in ! The day surgery unit I'm going to doesn't allow friends or relatives in the Unit other than to drop off or pick up which doesn't help as someone could have come and sat with me and calmed me down. They seem very very nice and I have explained my phobia and they have said they will talk me calmly through the procedure but just being thre todya ( I went to familiarise myself) gave me a mini panic attack . The staff were very nice but I hyperventliated and felt as if I was having a heart attaack. The surgery is necessary being a hysteroscopy to see why I am having very heavy periods and also removal of polyps inside and to test them.

Please can someone hold my hand? It will only be tonight as surgery is scheduled for first thing tomorrow

Been thinking of you Lisa, but had difficulty finding the thread again. WOW, good for you. And no Pre Med? Well done!! All the best

Don't quite understand the walking into theatre? I was always wheeled in my bed into theatre, at least that is where i thought I was, or just outside and was given the injection there, and I was out in a couple of seconds. You even walked into theatre - even braver the me !!

poozlepants

When I had longer ops, I was much longer recovering, and yes 15 years ago I think probably the anaesthetic was stronger too, and I remember taking days to get over some.

Glad it went well lisalisa, sounds as though you had a good anaesthetist

digerd - it's fairly common to walk to theatre if it's close to the ward. It reduces manual handling (fewer trollies for staff to push), helps patients keep warm and possibly makes going to theatre seem less daunting.

Yes we all walked in ( 3 ladies after me) as the procedure I was having - a hysteroscopy ) means I wasn't ill or anything and they prefer us to walk. The anesthetist actually wasn't nice - she was the only one I didn't warm too as she was just brisk and said she hoped I wouldn't delay the list ( !) - the consultant was excellent and so un-doctor like taking the time to talk to me so I didn't even realise what was going on and spending time perched on my bed talking nicely but sternly to me beforehand ( I did rather shamefully ask if we could possibly dispense with this procedure and do something else to which he raised his eyebrows and said " Do you want to do right by your 6 kiddies ,Liisa? That's an awful lot of little children waiting to know that their mummy is doing all she can to protect her health. " With that I was ready and felt much stronger and more purposeful) ( wanted to hug the consultant actually but being half naked didn't think it appropriate!!!)

I think my phobia has solidified since my dad died. I spent 6 traumatic weeks involved with needles and blood and body parts and the smell and look of ahopstial itself now causes my heart to race and I associate it with death and never coming out. I am traumatised by my dad's death I know and need some counselling. I watched him die and I think that was just too painful for me.

Lisa, I am so sorry you lost your dad and had 6 weeks of trauma and watching him die. I didn't know you had 6 children, my goodness you are so brave.
What you said reminded me, when I went into hospital for my first Laparoscopy, I saw the pale looking patients in the wards and while sitting waiting, I suddenly burst into tears. A lovely older lady next to me, held my hand and said don't worry love. But it wasn't me I was crying over. The last time I had been in hospital was visiting over months my dying husband - cancer, which brought it all back to me. And what a lovely consultant you had.

Oh digerd - I am so very sorry to hear you have lost your husband. That is something very very painful indeed and over months too. It does age you too doesn't it? I knwo I am not the same more light hearted person that I used to be and sometimes obsess about death and dying. .

Of course you felt upset - the last association you had with hospital was something negative too. It does affect you . Take care xxx

Thank you Lisa, just wanted to say I know how feel. But with my next Laparoscopy and the next Knee op I was fine. Although the latter I had the grumps as it was so painful !!

You have your little kiddies to keep you going. Good luck to you

Ah, I assumed you meant consultant anaesthetist - you must have had a spectacularly nice surgical consultant, they don't normally get involved in the anaesthetic unless it's getting close to lunchtime and they think the anaesthetic is taking too long