"Help you understand what's going on and to relax you"

I've just had my toenail removal done at North Devon District Hospital. I was really nervous, and as I suffer from anxiety, I was terribly anxious about it. 

On getting to the waiting room, I was called within 5 minutes, bang on time. 

The lady who called me in, I'm sorry I've forgotten your name, was lovely and was attending the procedure along with Helen, the podiatrist, another really lovely lady. 

They were so understanding and really seemed to care about my comfort and anxiety. 

I also had my friend with me, and I am deaf, a lip reader, and she helps me to understand what is being said. 

So it began, the attendant lady told me the risks of infection and what to do and how to care for my toe following removal. 

I was then injected with the pain relief local anesthetic, first in one side of my big toe, then the other side. People want to know if it hurts, honestly? It does sting a lot more than a usual injection and I did ouch a few times and really pulled my anxiety relieving hedgehogs about. Rather than breaking my friend hand. Lol. 

But it wasn't as painful as I expected! Not at all. 

Following that, my whole toe went completely numb and I didn't feel a single thing of the removal procedure. 

So to people who are about to have this toenail surgery, please don't worry. Just get through the injections, I suggest not watching it at all, also take those anxiety relieving squeeze things, mine are hedgehogs but you can get all kinds of shapes. They do work. And just leave Helen or whoever is doing it, to get on with the job. If you have any pain, let them know straight away. Don't try to be brave. Just let them, a big ouch exclamation works. 

I can't thank Helen and miss dark haired lady (who has a rottie x lab rescue dog) enough. They are fabulous. If I need the other toenail removed in future, I shall have no fear at all. They really do a good job and go beyond to help you understand what's going on and to relax you. 

Thank you ladies, once again. I'm so grateful to you. All hail the NHS!