Philippa Jane
08-21-2025, 08:05 AM
Last week I had to go for a day procedure.
No big deal as it was just precautionary.
I was not allowed to wear any jewellery but nothing was said about makeup. Wearing loose clothes and nicely made up (daytime wear) I presented at 8am to the hospital reception. I completed the sign in paperwork and was sent to the day unit. More paperwork and then off to see the nurse and get out of my clothes and into a gown. More paperwork and then off to the waiting room by which time I was getting cold. The wonderful nurse brought me 2 heated blankets.
Not much later I was taken into the holding area and given a cubicle with a bed.
The next person I am to meet is Julia the anaesthetist who had come to put a canula in my arm.
The conversation went like this.
"Hi I am Julia and I am here to canulate you today." (No smile or good morning)
To me. "Name, date of birth, any allergies, do you know why you are here?"
All answered by me as she asked, "Is someone picking you up? Yes. "And are they staying with you tonight?" No.
At this point she had got the tourniquet on and tight but she whisked that off as I was saying that I had been on my own before and it was OK.
She threw the tourniquet onto her cart and said "I am not OK with that and I am not on your team."
Off she went with my parting comment of Please yourself.
I found the call button and who should answer but yes Julia. I asked to speak to someone, anyone but not her.
She took no notice and came back to tell me the doctor had said it would be OK for me to be at home on my own. She then proceeded to make nice explaining hospital protocol and their duty of care. She felt I had spoken with a tone to my voice which had upset her but she was just so aggressive. She had never been called aggressive before but she did put the canular in with no drama.
I apologised for my tone (if I had one) just to keep the peace and I said we were good.
Enter Hayley who was bright and happy only to fill out yet more paperwork.
If only I could have spoken to her through my tears. Of course she wanted to know why I was so upset and in due course I told her.
I should have known she would go to speak to Julia and they both came back to see me. Julia saying I thought we were good and friends again. I told her NO I just said that so that I did not ruin her day and just to make her feel better.
I was going to be unconscious soon and would not see her again.
They could have kept me overnight if they were that concerned but the let me go home anyway.
I have no memory of getting a cup of tea and a sandwich or of dressing myself when I came round. Nor do I remember getting out to the reception and being met by my neighbour. At home with help to the door I made a cup of tea and then slept for the next five hours after which I was right as rain.
I hope this was not too long.
No big deal as it was just precautionary.
I was not allowed to wear any jewellery but nothing was said about makeup. Wearing loose clothes and nicely made up (daytime wear) I presented at 8am to the hospital reception. I completed the sign in paperwork and was sent to the day unit. More paperwork and then off to see the nurse and get out of my clothes and into a gown. More paperwork and then off to the waiting room by which time I was getting cold. The wonderful nurse brought me 2 heated blankets.
Not much later I was taken into the holding area and given a cubicle with a bed.
The next person I am to meet is Julia the anaesthetist who had come to put a canula in my arm.
The conversation went like this.
"Hi I am Julia and I am here to canulate you today." (No smile or good morning)
To me. "Name, date of birth, any allergies, do you know why you are here?"
All answered by me as she asked, "Is someone picking you up? Yes. "And are they staying with you tonight?" No.
At this point she had got the tourniquet on and tight but she whisked that off as I was saying that I had been on my own before and it was OK.
She threw the tourniquet onto her cart and said "I am not OK with that and I am not on your team."
Off she went with my parting comment of Please yourself.
I found the call button and who should answer but yes Julia. I asked to speak to someone, anyone but not her.
She took no notice and came back to tell me the doctor had said it would be OK for me to be at home on my own. She then proceeded to make nice explaining hospital protocol and their duty of care. She felt I had spoken with a tone to my voice which had upset her but she was just so aggressive. She had never been called aggressive before but she did put the canular in with no drama.
I apologised for my tone (if I had one) just to keep the peace and I said we were good.
Enter Hayley who was bright and happy only to fill out yet more paperwork.
If only I could have spoken to her through my tears. Of course she wanted to know why I was so upset and in due course I told her.
I should have known she would go to speak to Julia and they both came back to see me. Julia saying I thought we were good and friends again. I told her NO I just said that so that I did not ruin her day and just to make her feel better.
I was going to be unconscious soon and would not see her again.
They could have kept me overnight if they were that concerned but the let me go home anyway.
I have no memory of getting a cup of tea and a sandwich or of dressing myself when I came round. Nor do I remember getting out to the reception and being met by my neighbour. At home with help to the door I made a cup of tea and then slept for the next five hours after which I was right as rain.
I hope this was not too long.