"Excellent care of a severely medical phobic patient"

I had to go under general anaesthetic for the first time in my life early October to have my bottom wisdom teeth out. Every single medical staff member met me with such care and respect. 

They took my concerns seriously and accommodated to my needs by allowing me to be in a cubicle away from others which honestly I think helped the other patients just as much as me - as I was a nervous wreck!

I have a severe medical phobia and I am quite a shy reserved person in my daily life so this goes at odds with my outward presentation of anxiety which causes me so much embarrassment and shame. The staff didn’t make me feel silly and met me with care. 

They also could see how stressed out I was and moved me from being patient number 9/15 to number one. That meant I wasn’t left waiting getting worse and worse as I was already at peak anxiety and wasn’t coping one bit. 

They listened to me every step of the way and adapted their practice accordingly which I appreciate may have been an absolute pain for them but just showed how much they put the patient needs as priority. 

The anaesthetist even made something as mundane as noting on my hand which was the best spot for a cannula to go in by drawing a happy face on the best one and a sad one on the other. Something as small as this just helped make something so scary that little bit better.

I had a lead technician (think that was their job title?) walk me from my cubicle to the operating theatre. His calm joyful presence put me at ease, he also could read me very well and even advocated for me in the theatre and let me squeeze his finger for dear life!

I also remember being freaked out when someone approached me with a monitoring sticker and heard the anaesthetist nudge the person and say just do one for now as it was in my notes that any other medical things required for me would be done when I was put under and removed when I came round as I can’t cope with even the simplest of medical things and get overwhelmed. I appreciated this.

Then when it was time for me to get ready to get dressed the nurse Nicole helped me in case I collapsed which was absolutely above and beyond and was so kind as I did feel very unsteady. She again treated me with dignity and respect. 

The dental surgeon Dr Thomas was also great at being a calm, friendly presence and explained and justified all his decisions. He was thorough and patient. What more could you ask for. 

I’m afraid I can’t remember everyone’s names involved in my care that day as there were many! And I wasn’t feeling with it at all. I do know my nurse was called Nicole. We think the anaesthetist was called Usaf but can’t be sure. But please do pass on my thanks to anyone that was involved with me as they were all fantastic.