on Tuesday I had to go to the hospital for a planned operation, I was really nervous as everything so far had been totally different. Usually for me needing an operation is more of an emergency unplanned thing but this time was different.
I had visited the consultant at the end of October and it was decided that it would be best to operate to remove the gigantic cyst (Cynthia) that was growing inside me and surgery was booked for the 24th of November.
This meant that I had loads of time to overthink the situation and potentially send myself into meltdown but with the amazing support of Orbis and using strategies I knew would help I managed to get through the weeks leading up to the surgery.
I had a pre-op the week before in which I was able to ask all the questions I wanted to. I was able to show the nurses my hospital passport and explain how best they could help me during my admission. All the Drs and nurses were so incredibly helpful and really took the time to understand me.
In the lead up to surgery, due to covid, I had to have a covid swab and self isolate for 3 days beforehand. I made those 3 days extra special by preparing for Christmas, I put up all my decorations and made Christmas cake as well as providing myself with lots of self-care and distraction. Those three days were what has got me through the worst of this surgery, I was so anxious waiting for the covid results, I was 99% sure it would come back negative but so worried it would come back positive and everything would be canceled. After putting so many plans in place to get through on Monday morning I was contacted to say the covid swab was negative and all would be going ahead as planned.
I arrived at the hospital super early on Tuesday morning to be booked in ready for surgery later in the day. From the minute I entered the day case ward to the minute I left the care I received was absolutely fantastic, everyone was so lovely and caring and understanding such a world away from previous general healthcare. I ask, is it because my hospital passport was read and I honestly think yes the Drs and nurses reading this important document about how to help me and care for me made such a massive difference. The care I received was person-centered and autistic friendly and made being in the hospital within unfamiliar surroundings without my care staff (COVID) so much more bearable. I was seen by the consultant early in the morning and was told I would be in theatre by 10 am the next hour passed quickly as I was seen by the anesthetist who went through my medical history and told me he wouldn't start trying to find a vein without the ultrasound machine as from reading my hospital passport he knew I was extremely difficult to cannulate. With him saying this and using the ultrasound machine in theatre, it caused so much less stress and he got the vein first time and did not need to stab me a million times, something which actually happens regularly to me on admission to hospital and something which actually causes me a great deal of upset. He talked me through what was going to happen and asked me if I had any questions or if there was anything he could do to help me cope with going under. I asked if there was a clock I could look at when I was being put under as this is something which massively supports me I have done it since I was a little girl often whilst my dad soothed me and counted the clock, so being able to see a clock is such a big deal for me the anesthetist said he would see what he could do.
I was called to theatre just before 10 am and was taken to the anesthetic room. Everyone was so good to me explaining everything that was going on. They managed to cannulate first time by using the ultrasound machine such a relief not to be stabbed over and over again. I looked up and there waiting was a clock which had been sourced to relieve my anxiety, such a small gesture which made such a huge difference to my anxiety levels and it really meant a lot.
I woke after surgery very dazed but was able to return home a few hours later. It was so nice to come home to my safe place and to be able to recover without needing to be in the hospital. I have spent the last few days sleeping eating and looking after me doing a jigsaw and crocheting I am recovering well albeit in a little pain and discomfort its onwards and upwards.
This post is written because I want to explain, how good person-centered care really makes a difference. Receiving the care, love, compassion, kindness, and validation has allowed me to have a shorter recovery. I am not sat overthinking what has happened, I am not angry nor upset I feel at peace Cynthia is no longer a part of me and I am safe, I am happy, I feel loved, I feel cared for and understood and that's all that anyone could wish for during such a difficult period of their life. It feels amazing to be moving forward and not feeling like everyone and everything is against me I feel human, the fact I was listened to acknowledged, and not in a position where I had to explain every little thing about me so I could receive the right care means so much.
This was achieved by the use of my hospital passport that all staff read and took on board this is the way care should be but unfortunately for many, this does not happen and people are left fighting for appropriate care I have been in situations where my hospital passport has been ignored and it is truly horrible it feels so simple for someone to read such an important document I am left asking why is it so difficult to acknowledge this document? why is it so difficult to provide the care that every human being so rightly deserves? when people do things right it really makes such a massive difference to the individual and their family/carers