"I have been feeling traumatised by the whole experience"

2 days after my fall and ambulance to A&E my broken wrist was deemed by consultant to be ‘low threshold surgery’ and was not seen in Trauma Clinic for 9 days. The Registrar I saw there realised it was urgent but could find no specialist to see me. Another very anxious 10 days passed before my surgery at St Michael’s in Hayle.

I arrived for my surgery expecting general anaesthetic but was advised it would be regional block - no discussion about my preference. Already very anxious I became very fearful.  It found there was quite a judgemental attitude on the ward about GA.  Another patient on the ward had opted for GA and both when they requested pain killers and when they thought they would vomit they were brusquely told that’s what comes from choosing GA. 

I was terribly anxious as I went into theatre and by all the contraptions attached to my arms. I’d been told I’d be given a happy cocktail to relax me. I don’t know what it was but it didn’t work. I became more and more anxious until the anaesthetist approached me with a mask saying they were giving me oxygen to calm me down. The clock said 4.30 and the next time I saw it it was 6.30. I’ve had to request details of all anaesthetics used via freedom of information. On leaving theatre the ward nurse said to me, you freaked out you know. I would have preferred to be asked how I was doing.

The whole time on the ward all patients were reminded about stretching and flexing the hand and fingers regularly. There was no regard for the fact that my fingers wouldn’t move at all. In fact it’s only 4 months later, following much physiotherapy, that my fingers are able to do that exercise. Since diagnosed as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

I felt that on the ward I was treated like objects on a conveyor belt. I believe some staff need to be reminded to treat patients as individuals with their own levels of anxiety, preferences and needs.

I have been feeling traumatised by the whole experience and have since needed to seek help with this privately .