The Horror of Being Awake During an Anesthesia-RecommendedProcedure: Personal Struggles and Insights

Sometimes, the medical procedures that are meant to be pain-free or at least pain-reduced can turn into horrific experiences. This article explores the personal stories of individuals who had anesthesia recommended or offered but were instead awake during their procedures, resulting in unimaginable physical and emotional trauma.

Awake During a Lumbar Spine Nerve Block

Personal Experience with Anesthesia: I vividly remember the day I was supposed to undergo an anesthesia-recommended lumbar spine nerve block at the hospital. The doctor claimed to have prepped me properly and wheeled me into the operating room. While waiting to receive anesthesia, the nightmare began. Instead of drifting off, I felt an intense, unimaginable pain that felt like a knife repeatedly plunging into my body. The sounds in the room were distorted, seemingly confirming that the doctor was proceeding without anesthesia.

When I was wheeled back to my hospital room, the look of shock and tears on my face was all my mother needed to know something was terribly wrong. The memory of being tortured in that operating room will forever haunt me. The pain felt like a brutal murder, and I wasn't sure if I would survive the experience. This harrowing ordeal has left me with a deep appreciation for the role anesthesia plays in modern medical procedures.

Non-Aneesthesia Experience: A Hole Drilled in the Foot

Awakening During a Medical Procedure: A Significantly Different Experience: In another unfortunate incident, I had a hole drilled in my foot for the insertion of a wire for traction, a procedure where anesthesia was not offered. The bit attached to the drill became stuck in my foot. Despite the extreme pain, I managed to remain calm and didn't succumb to beserk behavior. This situation highlights the importance of anesthesia in ensuring patients remain calm and comfortable during procedures that can be extremely painful.

Anesthesia Decisions and Personal Beliefs

Experiences and Beliefs of Those Who Refuse Anesthesia: While many individuals opt for anesthesia when it's offered, there are those who believe in the power of their bodies and mind to withstand pain. Take, for example, the author's father, an anesthesiologist by profession, who refuses anesthesia even for his personal procedures. He has gone through painful experiences such as a root canal, stitches after stabbing himself with a box cutter, and a broken finger that required setting with a pin, all without the use of anesthesia.

Despite his personal aversion to anesthesia, the author notes that his father is an excellent anesthesiologist and refuses to refuse his services to others in need. This highlights the importance of individual choices in medical procedures and the need for informed consent in decision-making during such procedures.

Conclusion

These personal stories emphasize the critical role of anesthesia in ensuring pain-free and comfortable medical procedures. The stories also underscore the importance of clear communication between patients and medical professionals regarding the options available during procedures. If you are facing a procedure where anesthesia is either recommended or offered, informed consent and communication are key to ensuring a positive experience.