How my medical team helped calm my anxiety before a procedure

I recently underwent a bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage. While I was confident that I was under the care of competent professionals and trusted that the procedure would be conducted efficiently, I experienced a brief moment of apprehension and unease just before it.

A bronchoscopy allows doctors to view your airways using a thin, lighted tube. During a bronchoalveolar lavage, a small amount of saline is inserted into the tube to wash the airways. Afterward, the saline is aspirated back up, along with cells and other substances. These samples are then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Living with pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that causes scarring of the lung tissue, had added to my anxiety. The uncertainty of how my lungs would respond to the procedures weighed heavily on my mind. I understood that they were routine and essential for monitoring the progression of my disease, yet the thought of them filled me with dread.

My stomach is always tied in knots at the thought of undergoing medical procedures, especially if I’ll be under anesthesia.

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I kept reminding myself that I was in the care of a professional medical team and an expert physician. But there was one source of discomfort that I found embarrassing.

In a previous column, I wrote about the challenges of losing weight, and that struggle only added to my unease when I had to transfer from the patient bed to the procedure table. The table was so thin and narrow that it reminded me of a grocery store conveyor belt. I was almost certain I wouldn’t fit, and that fear only deepened my discomfort.

I was then instructed to hug myself so they could strap me in tightly, and it felt as if I were being mummified. Being claustrophobic, I almost wished I were under anesthesia for this part.

The whole scenario sounds humorous, and believe me, once I returned home, I did have a good laugh. In that moment, however, I was scared and embarrassed. I wondered if the reason I had to be strapped in so tightly was because of my weight.

My worries dissipated once the gracious nurses calmly reassured me that they’d take great care of me. Not one word was spoken about my weight. The worry was my own.

Even the anesthesiologist had kind things to say. She calmly explained the medication she was administering and promised to be with me every step of the way.

Why bedside manner is so important

When I awoke from the anesthesia, I felt incredibly groggy. My body was heavy, and my mind kept drifting in and out of consciousness. Slowly, I registered where I was. The anxiety was gone; everything was over.

The nurses were attending to me, monitoring my vital signs, speaking in low tones, and ensuring my comfort. Their presence was reassuring, highlighting the importance of compassion, not just expertise, in the medical practice.

As I lay there, I thought about how often I let fear take over, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. But in the end, I was OK. I made it through, despite my anxieties, despite my fears about my weight, despite my struggles with feeling out of control. And that felt like a small victory.

Once I was fully awake and ready to leave, I found myself laughing at how tightly I’d been strapped in and my own dramatic worries. But that laughter wasn’t just humor; it was relief. It was proof that I’d overcome another challenge, and that I could face whatever came next.

Bedside manner is an important part of patient-centered care. Offering reassurance, comfort, and kindness can significantly affect a patient’s experience. Patients should be treated as individuals with specific needs and emotions, and we should always feel safe, heard, and cared for.

It’s essential to be able to trust and rely on our medical team. As patients, we desire a personalized experience and the assurance that our care is the staff’s highest priority. Although this statement might sound somewhat self-centered, we’re placing our health in their hands.

Bedside manner is more than just medical professionalism; it’s about showing genuine interest in a patient’s well-being. A good doctor or nurse can use their knowledge and skills to provide care and treatment, but a great one can also provide emotional comfort, making a difficult journey just a little easier to bear.

Note: Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Fibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary fibrosis.