This is one of my, but not the only, most embarrassing moments.
I had to have surgery once. It was kind of a pretty big deal – my doctor was worried that I would loose a lot of blood. My baby, my first, was about 12 months old, and I was very nervous about dying on the operating table.
And, of course, being the worrier researcher I am, I used the time before the surgery date to collect all the information I could find on the topic. I learned about the mind body connection, and I read Successful Surgery: A Doctor’s Mind-Body Guide to Help You Through Surgery
So, Dr. Baker suggested, you can turn this around and use it to your advantage. If you heard very positive thoughts during this highly-suggestive state, your recovery would be faster. (backed up by research in the book too.) First, he suggests that you wear headphones during surgery to block out any potential negative messages. Better yet, pop one of his guided imagery tapes, focused on health and healing to fill your mind with “targeted messages” during this highly susceptible state.
And even better yet, he said, create your own tape, because your subconscious mind acts even more strongly when it hears your own voice. Dr. Baker had “scripts” in his book, full of affirmations. I read these in a tape recorder, with some goofy, new agey-music, like The Fairy Ring
I called my doctor, and cleared the “headset” thing with her. So, when the orderly came to get me, he of course, wanted to know why I was wearing headphones.
At this point, the needle has hit my vein, and the sodium penthalol is making it’s way happily through my body. I am comfortably numb. I tell him, that I have some “pretty great stuff on my headset, and I begin to wax poetic about The Book I just read by Dr. Baker.
“Well,” he said. “We have surround-sound speakers in the operating room. If it’s really soothing and relaxing, we should all hear it.” I thought, what a great idea. I wouldn’t have to worry about my batteries failing, or my headphones falling off my ears. What a perfect solution.
My comfortably numb mind completely forgets about the sappy affirmations, in my own voice, “I am full of vibrant energy.” “I am peaceful.” “I am strong.” Until I woke up, in recovery; I saw my doctor, smiling, and said, “Didn’t you just LOVE the music?!” She said, “well, we decided it was best to put it back into your headset.”
By the way, I did awesome in the surgery – and my recovery was fast, and lost very little blood. My doctor was amazed. I highly recommend The Book. But keep it to yourself.
That sounds like something that would happen to me! A little embarassing, but worth it if the tape helped.
Well whatever works! Good on you for being so open about it! Me, I tend to go for Eno’s ambient works or Japanese electronica in moments of stress. Or Scandinavian death metal.
I’ve never had major surgery, knock wood, but I’m going to read that book before I do. I think it’s great idea. But, I can see where the doctor and the nurses didn’t want to hear you talking affirmations to yourself. My music wouldn’t be new age, though. It would be Bonnie Raitt or Keb Mo.
Keb Mo would have been a better choice. I wouldn’t have been so embarrassed.