Going under General Anaesthetic

The surgery didn't just happen to me. I had been consulted along the way. The surgeon had explained I had two options; to do it laparoscopicly, which would mean two small inscisions in my abdomen, and they do it via a camera, or to do it as open surgery, which would mean a larger cut. She said the camera was excellent, but nothing compares to looking with your eyes and feeling with your hands, and she wanted to ensure whilst she was in there, she removed all the diseased areas.  To me, the only difference it seemed to make was how bigger scar it would make, I would be asleep for it either way.  I said I'm happy with it being open surgery, my bikini days are over after two children anyway. She simply smiled and said they do there best to be neat.

I was also consulted about anaesthesia.  The anaethitist came in and explained that he liked to put an epidural in whilst I was still awake, so that he was sure it was working well, and then I would be put under General. He asked if I was ok with this, and whether I'd had any adverse reactions to anaesthetics. I told him I'd never had an epidural and the most I'd ever had was local anaesthetic before. He seemed a little surprised at this. I remember making the odd joke, trying to put myself at ease as I was feeling quite anxious. He did not laugh or even crack a smile during our little meeting. He was a very serious man. I guess anaesthesia is after all a very serious job to be performing.

I was left alone again for a couple of minutes, and then another member of the anaesthesia team came to collect me. He was a tall man with a very kindly face. He spoke with quite a strong devon accent, very gently and quietly. He was in his scrubs and I remember thinking how clean he looked! I suppose you need to be pretty clean if you spend your working hours in a surgical theatre.  He pushed my bed through the hospital and into a lift. All the time he made conversation with me. Asked me what I did for a living, if I had children. How long I'd had crohns, whether I'd had surgery before. He put me completely at ease.

I went through a door with a sign above it; Theatre 1 and I felt a pang of fear. This was it. No going back now. Through the door was a sort of atrium, with a whole team of anaethitist's there. The serious man from earlier and another man and a lady. I had to sit on the side of the bed while the epidural went in, and the lady chatted to me about my children. I felt very  at ease. Then I had to lie down. I was told I would go to sleep and it would feel like I'd only been asleep a few minutes but it will have been hours and the surgery would be done.  I don't remember much else. I can't remember if they put a mask over my face, or closing my eyes. The next thing I remember was walking up in recovery.