When I had an operation at 18, I was worried about my parents finding out that I SH. I didn’t think to mention it to the doctors but I assume that they had some idea from when I had blood tests (plus it’s on file)
I had to take off every bit of jewellery and was given a short sleeved hospital gown, paper pants and bed socks. I asked if they had and long sleeved gowns and the nurse said no. Because of this, I asked my mum not to be there in the morning when I went to surgery. I knew for a fact that she would see my arms if she were there. I wasn’t allowed to wear a dressing gown or anything either. I had a green hospital blanket that I wrapped myself in. I took it to surgery because it was off the gurney that I would be using.
I asked for my IV to be put in to my right arm, they said it was fine but they would need my left for the blood transfusion. (They used the vanes at the back of my hand and wrist)
When I came around in intensive care the nurse had put a blanket over my chest area and arms so that only my fingers were on show. I remember her telling my parents that it was to catch any blood I vomited up. :) I was scared that my parents would see but I was pretty much covered up for the next week and a half. Hospital blankets work miracles!
My advice would be to ask if you can have a hospital blanket to wrap yourself in (or one you can take to surgery)..or if you’re still having doubts, ask your mother not to be there when you go down to surgery, but to be there when you wake up. xxx
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