"Something as tiny as that gesture melted my fear"

I was recently admitted to the Day Surgery department of NDDH for a Carpal Tunnel Decompression procedure.

From the moment I was booked in at the reception desk, I was made to feel welcome and put at ease.

Once I was settled into the ward room and had the all-clear health check, the Doctor came in and explained in excellent detail the complete agenda for the day. It soon became apparent to the team that I was very anxious, mostly with the thought of having several local anaesthetic injections. Once again, the Doctor explained clearly the ingredients of said anaesthetic along with the detailed reasoning behind them.

A short while passed, while she did the same to the other three patients on her morning schedule, then she returned with the Nurse that had first noticed my anxiety, which, now with the imminent injections was making me feel physically sick. With the Doctor on one side cleaning my wrist down ready, the Nurse came on the other. This is the point where the day took an unexpected turn for the better!

Just as I was about to pull my neck snood up over my eyes so I could not see the needle, the wonderful Nurse asked me if I needed a hand to hold? Obviously, the unequivocal answer was a yes please. Not only did she give me some fingers to hold, now with both of my hands in use, without the need for me to even ask, she pulled up my snood for me. Then as those small but informative couple words were spoken, to say the first injection was coming, my hold became a petrified hard squeeze, which was met by a soft and gentle rub of a finger across the back of my thumb. It's hard to put into words how, something as tiny as that gesture melted my fear and trepidation away and changed the whole dynamic of the morning and subsequent procedure. Then, just like that, I was done and across the room they relocated to the next patient, who showed no sign of any concerns or worries allowing my hospital hero to continue her accompanying duties. Once the other patient was prepped, we were left alone to allow the anaesthetic to take it's effect in preparation.

So, up to this point, I had not uttered a word across the room, rather I sat there trying to calm my breathing and pounding heart. Now, however, I was relaxed (yes probably helped by the adrenaline in the cocktail) and happy to engage in some small talk and await the next step.

A short while later it was time for the main event and now with no fear of what was to come I moved into the waiting-aftercare area and listened for my name to be called.

Once into the treatment room, as before, a full explanation of what was to come was given and then completed with the same level of care and compassion. Before I knew it I was back in the aftercare area await discharge.

Thank you all so much.