"Heartfelt thanks for all your support, compassion, professionalism and patience"

With much trepidation and being highly anxious regarding the chance of failure on my part due to pre-existing physical difficulties making it possibly too difficult for the team to complete or unattainable for me, and having already endured the journey there, yet alone thoughts of the actual procedures involved and knowing having not had the blessing of children could make things difficult, I nervously entered anticipating a horrendous experience.

I'd taken paracetamol and ibuprofen beforehand. I'm 50 and was hoping the menopause would kick in but due to long-lasting issues with increasing anaemia, very heavy bleeding, frequent flooding, large clots and more recently intermenstrual bleeds and polyp identified at ultrasound, my GP (called for health check not instigated by me) eventually persuaded me to rule things out hence, hysteroscopy, polypectomy and a coil fitting. 

Prior to the appointment, I deliberately chose not to search the internet, only looking at the patient information sent.. Admittedly, I had prior knowledge about gynaecological examinations and what may/may not happen. More pertinent to me, my sister-in-law sought reassurance a few months back, (before I knew I would be next!), after reading/relating individual experiences across the net that petrified her, which I hope I provided. However, recalling this, giving reassurance to myself is a different matter and I can't get myself to listen to myself (!) Hence, I steered clear, not wanting to become more tense with trepidation and anxiety. (incidentally as a 58 with PMB, she sailed through, with no pain or anaesthetic required whatsoever). Out of curiosity last night, I looked to see what women would find if searching for information and reassurance. Not disregarding the experiences of those who's bodies react, through no fault of their own, with severe pain, sudden drop in BP, dizziness, nausea etc, it is such a pity that any positive experiences of OPH are the last we would see, only serving to vastly increase the sense of trepidation on attendance and inevitably leading to some declining OPH altogether in favour of day case, and others more tense than we would otherwise be which, obviously, could exacerbate pain experienced. Yes, for some, pain can be severe, but I hope that from my experience, you'll find they monitor and support you throughout and they'll  stop at anytime if you find yourself unable to cope and ask them to stop for a moment, and, in all probability, especially the nurse by your side throughout, would intervene if they see you're getting too distressed. They will try to offer solutions and if you find this doesn't work, they will understand and can discontinue altogether. They're also very ready to respond to any reactions you may have. Personally, I like to feel in control and get embarrassed showing emotional, physical or verbal (noises or swearing!) responses and vulnerabilities, not to mention how such examinations, with your legs akimbo, are always somewhat embarrassing and rather undignified, but this is considered and respected and reduced to the best of their capabilities throughout. Trust me when I say staff are used to all kinds of reactions and would appeal to everyone to not be afraid to react as you need to (again, I don't practice what I preach!), and they'll provide the utmost support. Throughout, they'll be informing you what's happening next and any sensations your likely to experience at certain points.

In my case, due to my physical problems, the nursing team and doctor assisted me into a position resulting in the least painful position in the gynae chair I'd be able to achieve in my circumstances, doing all they could to adapt it by reclining it beforehand, using extra pillows to get me off the surface and tilted to one side, and a makeshift pad to place my leg on the footrest.

Enormous thanks to Mr Bishieri as I couldn't have made his job easy, lying skew-whiff and, despite focusing all my efforts on remaining still and not allow myself to react to my normal pain, I was enormously wary that I might have sudden movement causing the jolt of hands holding rather long instruments within me! Despite my best efforts, I had to fidget when I desperately needed to, but the entire team assisted my repositioning, moving pillows/pads accordingly.

Mr Bishieri's expertise meant I didn't feel the local anaesthetic going in and around the cervix. Throughout the whole process of dilatation, hysteroscopy, polypectomy and coil fitting, other than a few odd sensations, there was no undue discomfort and very mild cramping with no procedural pain whatsoever. At times I didn't even know if I had anything in me or not so was very reluctant to move until I couldn't take my position more.

From Tammy making the initial appointment phone call, to the receptionist on arrival and entire procedural team, even though it is their normal/every day, it is truly excellent individuals and teams who genuinely appreciate the unique journey through the whole experience of every one of their patients' perspective that make the leap into providing a service that is not just excellent, but excels. The whole Trust and Department should be rightly very proud of the well-oiled teams and individuals they have to deliver the outstanding care and support, (in my experience at least), to women in their care and ,indeed, to one another within the team. I give my overwhelming, heartfelt thanks for all your support, compassion, professionalism and patience with my fidgeting to make the experience to the highest standard any patient would hope their care to be. Absolutely I'd have another OPH if clinically necessary, yet I hope never to cross your paths in that capacity again!

Another positive, if you can concentrate, you even get to watch, with commentary from your support nurse, this fascinating visual documentary about a women's internal pelvis anatomy on your own TV. I believe all the others, being so proficient and their work being like second nature to them, I believe they were watching the same too!!