In Hospital: Remember your Favourite Things

Hospitals aren't really a place that anyone wants to go to. However they are the best places to be when you are physically ill or you are trying to find out what is wrong but for anyone, especially people with anxiety, its a place we want to avoid at all costs.

For me its always the waiting which makes me the most nervous, especially for procedures. More so if its the first procedure of  something you haven't had before. As you don't know what is going to happen or what you will need to do. One story that I can recall was my first lumber puncture test in hospital. I was lying on my side thinking 'Oh God what's it going to feel like' and 'Is it going to hurt?'. I remember vividly there was a lot of to and froing, getting the medial information, anaesthetic, more staff etc. And the whole time I was going 'Just get it over and done with'. As by that point I had mentally prepared myself for the needle, had my iPod with a track list and was thinking about all the things I am going to do after its done (and Yes the whole 'Favourite Things' song does apply here). But after the experience comes the feeling of 'What was I worried about? That wasn't so bad' The hospitals will do everything to try and reduce the discomfort and pain as much as they can. They aren't villains in the old films or TV shows twirling their moustaches

You won't get any of this in hospitals

The other story which relates to the wait anxiety is the appointment with the consultant. You go to that waiting room again psyching yourself up waiting for the appointment or they are running behind, waiting until your appointment becomes available. It's the whole 'Is it good news or bad news?' Unfortunately you cant control all the ailments your body has and until the doctor tells you what news you have, you cant do anything more. Which I know is easier said than done (and when I have an appointment some day I will still be worrying in the waiting room). But whenever I have an MRI scan or blood test and I start getting worried my partner reminds me that there isnt anything more you can do, just carry on as best as you can. 

When waiting for a procedure do what you need to make yourself feel better and tell the doctors/nurses your concerns as they are there to make you feel better. So at the end of the day what can I say: Remember your favourite things and then you wont feel, so bad.