Worried about Intensive Care

[Happymum12345]

I'm due to have an operation and I've been told I'll need to spend two days sedated in intensive care. I was there last year for two days & found it utterly traumatic, although that time I didn't know I'd be going there so it was a shock. I'm trying to sort my mind out before I go, but the thought of it is awful. I might have to have a tracheotomy too, but won't know until I wake up. I've ordered noise cancelling headphones but any other words of wisdom on how to cope would be helpful, thank you.

I’m not surprised you found it traumatic, it is a very overwhelming and it must have been awful for you. . Do you think you might have post ICU syndrome? Could you talk to your GP or consultant/nurse and ask for some support? I know at our tertiary hospital they have some psychological support available although the local one had very little. I’ve been in ICU with my son and HDU for stints myself and definitely headphones and ear plugs, plus videos loaded up and my own blanket (if they will let you) and bed socks. Hope it all goes as well as can be for you

Intensive care is always scary; the bottom line is that is you're ill enough to need intensive care, you have reason to be scared! There is a positive side to that though, you won't receive more attentive care anywhere else - ICU nurses are the absolute best. I think some of it is because often their patients can't communicate needs/problems/etc clearly (if at all) so the nurses develop almost a 6th sense and an uncanny ability to work out what you need (often before you realise that you need it).

Knowing that you're heading to ICU is slightly less traumatic than landing there unexpectedly because there isn't quite the same shock aspect to contend with, you've also been there before so it's not the completely unknown territory that it was - that makes it a bit easier. Headphones and music help me, so does asking detailed questions about what has happened while I've been unconscious (tests/procedures/personal care/etc) and I've always found the nurses happy to answer. I deal better when I've been able to regain some control and knowing what has been done to me is part of taking that control back.