Hospital fear

[G12345]

I have surgery tomorrow and I’m terrified and I just don’t want to have a needle but I have to unless someone holds my gloved hand I will refuse to let them but a needle into the back of my hand or the inside of my elbow. Please some distract me thanks

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Guzman,

That sounds very nerve racking and stressful. I know you’re worried...

But in the mean time, as you requested, I’m happy to help you take your mind off it for a bit 🙂

What would you like to talk about?

Perhaps we could talk about our interests?

I love art & dance, for example. Creativity has been my saving grace during this strange time in the world. It has kept me going...I used to do ballet & hip hop, but I haven’t been very motivated to dance recently, plus my local dance studios are closed anyway at the moment.

I enjoy reading, but I’m not hugely into movies or series. I watch shows from time to time, but it’s definitely not my favourite thing. I enjoy yoga as well sometimes.

What about you?

Kindness & care,

Pepper

[White_Rose]

Hello Guzman

It can be scary to have a needle put into you. I have a medical condition that requires weekly injections and it does not get easier. I brace myself for it but look away as the nurse preps me. They always tell you it's about to happen but I wonder if you would prefer not to know the exact moment. In any case can you talk to the anaesthetist about your fear beforehand. He/she usually has a chat and has no doubt come across a number of people who feel as you do.

Having someone hold your hand sounds reasonable to me. I know many years ago a nurse held my hand all through a procedure where I only had a local anaesthetic. It really made me feel more comfortable. The doctor chatted to me as he worked which was good. Presumable you will be asleep after receiving the anaesthetic but do ask if someone can hold your hand until then.

I like Pepper's suggestion of chatting about your interests. I like reading and craft. In my case I embroider and do scrapbooking. I love listening to music and usually have the radio on to listen to ABC Classic. I also enjoy listening via the TV and Foxtel to 50s and 60s rock music sing along with the music. Showing my age a bit there I feel.

I meditate and find that really helps me to stay calmer. I do get panic attacks now and then but regular meditation helps to keep the panic at bay and when I do get an attack it is much shorter than it used to be.

At the moment, like many people, I am confined to home and finding out how much I like it generally. There are times when I get a bit stir crazy and want to get out. My garden provides me with an escape as I do the watering and a bit of weeding. Gardens are very therapeutic places. Do you garden? Sometimes when I am a bit nervous about something that is going to happen I start planning my ideal garden in my mind or some other project I would like to do. It really helps. Do you have any projects you have been considering. When you get to hospital, or even now, perhaps you can start planning something.

I hope these ideas are helpful.

Mary

[Doolhof]

Hi Guzman,

I know you said you need distraction, just firstly, when I went to hospital recently for a procedure I told the admitting nurse I was really anxious and explained my concerns. The Dr was able to give me something to help me calm down. That may be an option for you.

Distractions are things I have been trying to do for myself recently .

Do you have books to read if you like reading? Is there something you could research on the internet? Maybe you could check out what castles are for sale in Europe or how many legs does a centipede actually have!

Do puzzles keep your mind busy? You could write a short story. If you have a dictionary, open it randomly to different pages, choose a word and use them in your story.

Think of animals for every letter of the alphabet then try names of cities.

My mind has been in an unpleasant place lately so I have been trying all kinds of things to keep it busy. I might even try some of these I have suggested for you.

I maybe barking up the wrong tree with my suggestions. Hopefully just reading our suggestions and support has been a distraction to you.

One unexpected pleasure this morning, I saw a couple of kangaroos hop past the kitchen window!

All the best for tomorrow!

Best wishes from Dools

[TheBigBlue]

Hello there,

just for clarification, you are stressed about the needle but not the surgery?

i have a medical condition that requires regular blood tests. This didn’t phase me as a kid, but now I find I cannot watch it.

i try to distract myself by reading the posters on the wall or focusing on my breathing. Like breathe in, hold for 10 then breathe out. other things you could try is remembering a song or poem word for word & then reciting it or singing it back to yourself n your head. or even something wacky like counting your teeth using your tongue.

sometimes these small distractions can work surprisingly well. Deep breathing will not only help you relax, but if you hold & count it will keep you thinking about something else. And if you are relaxed, you can tolerate other sensations easier.

Hope it is smooth sailing for you tomorrow, good luck!

[G12345]

Thank you everyone for the help

[Doolhof]

Hi Guzman,

Wishing you all the very best!

Hope you find something that works for you.

Cheers from Dools