The morning of my appointment was always going to be stressful, my nerves were high and we live an hour out of town, so it was a reassuring sight to see the pink and orange streaks of the sunrise across the sea as my husband drove me to the 7.30am appointment. On arrival at the daycare ward, we were greeted and organised by an amazingly comforting nurse, who reassured and prepared me for the day ahead. After changing into the gown, I made myself comfortable in a wheeled chair, I don’t know if it was the warmth of the blanket or the heat pack the nurse had given me earlier, but it really struck me then, how the experience had in no way caused me the anxiety or stress I had feared. It may have been the fact that my chair had wheels, but it dawned on me that there were no expectations here, I was in good hands away from the stress and pressure of daily life, I knew it would be a productive and helpful day.
The support of my husband, sitting next to me holding my hand, was much appreciated as the other patients began to filter in, my occasional yawn seemed to set off a chain reaction, which seemed to break the ice and we all had a giggle further comforting me. During the appointment, I was sedated and remember a nurse rubbing my back comforting me, I learnt valuable tools and found the whole process engaging. Afterwards I sat in my bed and was brought a cup of tea and mini sandwiches that were quite delicious, it really was a moment of enjoying the small things in life, shedding the pressures of life and I could not help but think “Now this is just lovely”.
– Vicki, CCI Support Member
