Going Into Hospital For A Gastroscopy

[CraftyCath]

:hilarious:

 

[Meadowsweet]

Oh KP you sound like the perfect person to have around in hospital.

Cath, I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I'll be lighting that candle for you on the 14th.

I don't think I can add to Kp's wonderful suggestions.

Wishing you strength of heart.

 

[amethist]

How about a guided mediation on your Ipod Cath, you can find loads on YouTube, or I can find one for you.

You can use them for all sorts of things, and they can help take you to a peaceful place in your mind for situations such as this.

 

[p-no]

Will be thinking of you again...

I can relate to the humor. I came across a book with a collection of real-life stories from people on planes. One was about a stewardess entering the area where the people were seated, looking terrified, screaming, running towards the microphone, pulling it off and screaming into it: "Oh my God, the wing's on fire, THE WING'S ON FIRE!!!" Everybody freaked out trying to find out which wing and what to do! All of a sudden they heard the stewardess laugh out loud and hardly being able to speak say into the microphone: "I'm sorry, I hope you'll forgive me. This is my last flight. I have been a flight attendant for 10 years now. This is something I have always dreamt of doing!" :D

The book is full of stories like this one and IT HELPS! I killed myself on the plane last time thinking of the stewardess on board doing something like it (and me being prepared).

When I go for dental treatment in aneasthesia, I will say or think something like "Scot me up, Beamy" -- has the nurse laugh and the doc grin -- and off I go.

Just trying to make you smile a bit. Hope it doesn't backfire...

Hugs!

 

[ISupportHer]

Not to be too nosey, but did things go OK yesterday? Get a scheduled date yet?

LOL, maybe everyone on the forum can arrainge to have their procedures done on the same day!

ISH

 

[Nighthawk]

Cath I will be thinking of you. Please know I might not have access to the internet. But I will be with you.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Cath, you are in my heart and prayers if that is ok. I am with you in spirit.

 

[Loloma]

Sorry Cath, just read this thread so please forgive me. From what I read the double procedure with be on the 14th September?

Not nice to go through, brings back memories for me. With your PTSD being directed related to a hospital incident, of course you are scared. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time and here's wishing for a positive result.

Love the Cold finger jokes and the humour between you and KP. :hug: from me to you.

 

[Nicolette]

Oh dear Cath. I've had a colonoscopy and have to say I was mildly sedated and, while the doctors were very professional, I found just the thought intrusive - but that is from my own medical past of 'mistreatment'. I haven't read what your exact trauma is... I must go and search to be better informed but in the meantime.... keep laughing. :clown:

 

[CraftyCath]

guided mediation

I've never found guided meditation helpful Amethist but thanks for the suggestion.:tup: I will take my IPod in with me and will probably listen to some strong Metallica which always seems to help. :D

Just trying to make you smile a bit. Hope it doesn't backfire...

I love anything that can make me laugh Prime so thanks for sharing. ;)

Not to be too nosey, but did things go OK yesterday? Get a scheduled date yet?

Not nosy ISH, I'm glad you asked. I found out I had to have a colonoscopy as well as the gastroscopy and an ultrasound. This will take place on the 14th September. I was so triggered that I burst into tears but when I explained my trauma the doctor was shocked. It has taken me a few days to deal with the 'numb' feeling and tackle my emotions. I almost dissociated but fought it. I can refuse the procedure but that wouldn't be wise with my family history.

But I will be with you.

Dearest NH, thank you so much for your continued support. I won't have internet acces either but I will remember that you are there. x

I am with you in spirit.

Thanks Gizmo, you are so sweet to be thinking of me. x

I haven't read what your exact trauma is

Hi Nicolette.

My Trauma's are complex resulting from a childhood of constant bullying, physical and psychological abuse and a serious sexual assault when I was 16. I was bullied at college and elsewhere by students and staff. I left home at 18 and moved hundreds of miles away to get a fresh start but it didn't happen. I was bullied by 2 of my fellow students and was placed on a medical ward in my 3rd year where the Sister in charge bullied me horribly.

I could never do anything right for her. I was at a back door of the hospital when a man jumped from the 6th floor. He landed at my feet - he was her patient and she was hysterical. I don't think she ever forgave me for being so calm and not allowing her to move the body. I watched a woman bleed to death and comforted her as she died. I have seen so many horrible deaths.

She accused me all the time and then one evening I was on duty with her, a young student and a care assistant when an elderly man arrested. It was during visiting time and we had to move fast. We tried everything, his body was horrific. He died and she accused me of killing him, that it was my fault, that I was incompetent. I just thought, 'Oh God, I have just killed someone,' and I believed her. Turns out she thought he was having an asthma attack but he was having a heart attack. She left me in charge and she left! The emergency team came. She had said I didn't get enough air into him, that I had the breathing apparatus all wrong. As it happened it did not matter if I did or not seen as the emergency team that came could not intubate him as he had choked on his own vomit! But I never could shake that guilt until I had EMDR recently.

I had a 'break down' shortly after but this was the 1980's and PTSD was not understood if heard of in the UK and I wasn't diagnosed until 8 years ago. I moved to my local hospital when I qualified. (I never got a bad report except from her and was top of my class in everything). I became senior staff nurse on children's surgery but the sister again bullied me and another staff nurse and eventually I had enough, left work, got married and went into hiding.

I'm just emerging now.

I hope this helps to explain why I am not good around hospitals. x

 

[p-no]

Metallica (and the like) helps me too! :D

Sorry you had to go through such a lot with medical staff and hospitals! I'm happy for you though that you were able to shake off that feeling of guilt with the help of EMDR. That must be great relief!

Keep being strong -- Mighty Squirrel will help you!

 

[CraftyCath]

Wishing you strength of heart.

Meadowsweet, thank you so much for caring. I think I'm gonna have to drag KP with me but I'm not sure the quiet endoscopy unit could cope with both of us at once. :D:whistling:

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time and here's wishing for a positive result.

Thank you sweetest Loloma, I have missed you. Thank you for understanding my fear relating to hospitals too. Glad you like the humour it is indeed good for the health.

I rang my brother yesterday to let him know about going into hospital. He had a gastroscopy some years ago due to similar problems as mine. He was told he had bacteria in his stomach that was resistant to the acid and a hiatus hernia. He told me had had been poorly last week and his doctor thinks it is diverticulitis and is sending him in for a colonoscopy too! Is this in the family or what? My Mum started with diverticulitis and ended up with cancer so I guess all my family should be checked at some stage.

The NHS give stool testing kits to over 60's because that is the supposed 'at risk' group but I think people with a family history should be given them sooner.

It would be funny if my brother had his done on the same day as me!