Grow Your Own Magazine

Further to my voice/non-voice my doc wants all these carried out right away:
ENT (camera up nose and down to Larynx)
Endoscopy (camera down to wherever it goes)
Blood test to check for bacteria in gut

I am a raging coward and hate hate hate hospitals/tests

any advice on getting through this lot (not that I have a choice) is gratefully received

the good news - no more anti-biotics so champagne tonight

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aka
Suzie

Oooh noooo, poor luv,

I don't know about any of these tests but I just wanted to give you a bit of support anyway and to be the first to say "cheers" for tonight

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A garden is a lovesome thing, God wot! (Thomas Edward Brown)

Try not to worry piskie the test are not as bad as they sound and i am sure you will get lots of moral support from fellow grapes. try to focus on the end result of getting your problem sorted.Enjoy your champagne.

Poor Suzie, I feel for you, I hate having "stuff" done too, but if they can find out what the problem is hun, they'll be able to mend you.
My best way of getting through horrible stuff is to take my mind off somewhere else like in a meditation. Last year I had most of the inside of one of my teeth drilled and filled without anesthetic using this method and although I was aware of the sensation, I had no pain.

Let me know when stuff is being done and we'll do our thing.

Enjoy your drink, you deserve it!

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Imagination is everything, it is a preview of what is to become.

Poor Suzie, personally as a doctor's daughter these sort of things don't faze me, except I don't like seeing my own blood .

I go with Lainey Lou. Also, give yourself a "prize" for going through with it. When I was taking exams a few years ago I promised myself a set of books I was after when I had finished (note: whether I passed or not), I hate ironing and always promise myself a drink (alcofrolic) when I've finished and am not allowed to touch it until then . You get the picture.

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"I prefer rogues to imbeciles as they sometimes take a rest" (Alexander Dumas)

Piskie, get a grip here girl.

Get the tests done, stop this namby pamby stuff. I have chemo injections 5 days a week (do them myself into my stomach) take shit loads of drugs, have blood tests every two weeks and have regular tests for all the associated conditions as well.

And your problem with finding out what may be wrong with you is???????????

Though madam snowdrops were made of sterner stuff .................

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TonyF, Dordogne 24220

I hate blood tests too! I've had to be held down by Mr OWG before, or I've passed out...

I always tell the person taking the blood that I am scared of needles and to bear with me. They're usually a bit nicer after that... (I always take something sugary for afterwards, as I feel faint)

P.S. Enjoy the champagne....

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"Its not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you" - Bruce Wayne

I'd be in the same state Suzie!! Enjoy your drink, dont worry about the tests just focus on the end result of finding out whats wrong and getting it sorted otu so you can sing and shout again ... has to be worth it in the end.

Be thinking of you ........

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Life may not be the party we hoped for but since we're here we might as well dance

fair point Tony .... for such a spunky little piece I can be a raging coward when doctors/dentists/nurse come anywhere near me.

Oh and I have Brussels seeds showing through that's good isn't it too early don't care - they look pretty and full of the joys of spring

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aka
Suzie

Piskie, my thoughts are with you.
HF x

fear of the unknown is worse than most things, once its done you'll find yourself wondering why you were so worried. But a shopping trip after sounds good!

Have 'Piskie' take charge, leave Suzie at home...
No, seriously though, tell the doctors, nurses etc how you're feeling, ask them to suggest what can be done to help you relax - their job will be a whole lot easier if you're not in a state so it's in their interests to help you, innit? Maybe they can do extra sedation or something? Also, if you're allowed, take in a little mp3 player or something like that, it's a lot easier to ignore what's going on if you can't hear it, and your favourite music or an audio book should help you to relax. Practice deep breathing, and really concentrate on it when you're in there - breathe in for a count of 7 and out for a count of 11. And most of all, don't think about what they're doing either before or during - Allocate yourself some money to spend afterwards, and really concentrate on where/what you're gonna spend it (Lottie/Garden Centre?!) whenever you come over panicky, or book a holiday & spend time visualising the place, what you'll do etc. Most of all, hang onto the fact that these procedures they're doing WILL SOON BE OVER!!! You have to kind of project yourself beyond it - allow your body to go through the crap, but take your mind beyond. Soz if that sounds like utter rubbish, but it's got me through horrendous dentist phobia (although I still don't go unless I have a face like a football ) and needle fear in hospital!!
Best of all, you'll know that virtually every Grape on here will be 'virtually' holding your hand through it all
(((((((((HUGS)))))))))

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Sarah

“Tell me one last thing,” said Harry. “Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?”
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”

{{{Hugs}}} Lots of good advice here that I won't repeat but just to add that you could try something like Bach Flower Remedies.

you'll be fine its the waiting thats the worst.....hope it all goes ok

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The love of gardening is a seed once sown never dies ...

Take a deep breath and get it over and done. I am also a dentist and needle phobic so know how you feel. Enjoy your champagne tonight and reward yourself with same after the tests - that will give you something to look forward to while going through the rubbish bit.

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

You'll be fine piskie- they do have local anaesthetic sprays these days, and I think you may also be knocked out for a few mins for the endoscopy- well I was when I had mine!!!
Not even a sore throat!

Phone up the hospital and find out what to expect- they want you nice and relaxed so they can get on and do it quickly and then on to the next conveyor belt...ooops ...patient!!!

Enjoy the fussing over afterwards!

hehehe

You're all so lovely and thanks

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aka
Suzie

Enjoy your champagne tonight, then eat loads of jerusalem artichokes. By the time you have your tests you'll be so intent on not farting that you won't even notice the rest of the stuff going on...

Seriously though I know some people use the "happy place" method, or meditation as mentioned, LadyWayne does it when having tests done, I can't do it myself (partially why my blood pressure always seems high).

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A simple dude trying to grow veg.

http://haywayne.blogspot.com/ - Updated 30th November

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev036pr___.png

Stiff upper lip my dear
I've had all kinds of procedures, (not to be discussed here when you're so nervous) and what I still can't stand is having bloods taken. I have to look away till its all over, what a baby.
I've had the old tubes up the nose and down into stomach...its uncomfortable and a bit weird, but not at all painful. You just swallow, gulp, swallow, gulp and it all goes down. If you're a bit panicky at all, try some simple meditation - gaze at a point on the wall and concentrate on it to take your mind off what is happening.
Good luck and let us know how you got on.

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

Not had the up-yer-snout job but I've had the endoscopy and blood tests. Main thing is deep breathing - it's staggering how easily you forget the breathe when concentrating. For an endoscopy they will offer you light sedation - if you're terrified, take 'em up on it. You'll not be able to drive home afterwards but what the heck - you're worth a taxi!

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Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated November 30th - Mr Stinky's Excellent Adventure (and a Christmas Cake)

I've got a couple of spare Serene-um tablets that we give to the dogs to calm them down on fireworks night, any use??

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A garden is a lovesome thing, God wot! (Thomas Edward Brown)

This sounds odd and I'm not sure I could follow my own advice, but might it help to find out exactly what the procedures entail? That way you'll know what it is they're doing and maybe feel a bit in control? Also tell them you've got a machette in your handbag and you're not scared to use it!

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Manda.

"Wouldn't it be nice
For maybe an hour
To not have a care."

O for goodness sake sis just stand by your beds, stiff upper lip and lay back and think of England. You'll be fine but just remember no drinky poos till it's gone past the yard arm

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Regards
Lady Jana Muck