Facing Surgery? Do these 3 things.

Last week, I had outpatient surgery for kidney stones. The procedure is called a laser lithotripsy. In the preoperative waiting period I was in a room where the anesthesiologists, a nurse and others prepped me for surgery. The anesthesiologist was arrogant and rude to me while he flirted with the nurse. My family was not yet allowed into the pre-op area. When I forgot what pyelogram meant and asked the nurse, she said only the doctor could tell me that. (Google defines it quite simply.)

When the surgeon talked to me, my family was present. I asked him to review the surgery. I wanted to be clear about what was going to be happening to my body.

He left and I decided to let go of all the pre-surgery quirks and enter this situation with love in my heart and ask that the surgeon’s hands be guided for the most benevolent outcome. Moments later a young man entered the room and said he was now my nurse and would be staying with me throughout the procedure.

I was rolled into the bright operating room. He stayed right beside me. Someone on my other side worked on an IV. It felt like maybe 10 people were all busily doing tasks and suddenly I realized all these people were going to see parts of my body that are never exposed, if you get my drift. A tube would be entering my ureter. I softly spoke how I felt and a woman on my side shared how hard it is to have this procedure and then see all these people the next day at work.

My eyes filled with tears.

Embarrassed and vulnerable, my legs started shaking quite visibly under the sheets. Then my personal nurse, looked at this 68 year old, gray haired patient and never looked away. He asked about my children and told me he has a baby on the way. He kept me from totally freaking out. He kept me locked onto his eyes with kindness, compassion and caring so profound that even anesthesia cannot erase this memory.

My surgery was a success and these 3 things helped me and will help you too.

1. Do not go alone. Having family, a friend, a neighbor accompany you offers support and lets the hospital personal know you have a team. It makes a difference. Call your people your family because truly if they took the time to be by your side they are your family!
2. Ask for an antiemetic with your anesthesia. I made the mistake of assuming the anesthesiologist understood that without this I would be vomiting. Sure enough, all night long I was sick and it is especially hard after having surgery.
3. Expect the most benevolent outcome! Of all 3 suggestions, I find this the most important. No matter what religion or culture, we all want the same thing, health and happiness. I ask the universe to guide the surgeon’s hands, to guide all the nurses and helpers, and to give me the most benevolent outcome for my greater good and the greater good of all.

And if you are lucky, you too will have a personal nurse with a huge heart and magnetic eyes.