Versed is a wonderful thing

My second time being a patient happened last week. I think I was more nervous this time then when I had my biopsy done. I had to have a gastroscopy done. This is where they take a "camera", shove it down your throat to have a look at your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine and take biopsies if needed. Everyone who I told I was having this done said they would rather have this done than the other end. Not me. I have the WORST gag reflex - I gag brushing my teeth. The only thing I can think of that would be worse would be having a bronchoscopy (same thing only into your lungs). That is one great reason why I would never smoke.
Luckily, I have friends in high places and was able to convince a collegue (one of the staff anesthetists who just finished) to be there and give me drugs. I didn't want to remember anything. I was SO freaked out.
I got there and five minutes later they called my name. The lady told me I looked nervous - "I'm totally freaked out", I told her. My friend hadn't shown up yet! What was I going to do? She told me that a lot of times they don't even give sedation. Was she serious? Who in their right mind would have this done WITHOUT sedation?! Well, I wasn't going to stand for that. Luckily, I brought along my own stash of minor sedation. A little Ativan goes a long way. The other thing that helped was that my friend showed up.As soon as he got there, I immediately relaxed. I knew from then on that I would be OK. He would give me the sedation that I wanted. And if I needed a lot, and I obstructed my airway, he could take care of that too. No problem. I could do this.
So, Dr. Bedi (the GI guy) comes in to chat. I think he realized that I was REALLY nervous (duh, I brought along an anesthetist!), and reassured me that he would give me some sedation. I questioned him on exactly what and how much (hey, I know my happy drugs), and was satisfied. My friend promised me, however, that he would be there and step in if needed.
The short story is (I know, too late), Versed is a wonderful thing. I have very little recollection of the entire procedure. I was told I did OK and that everything went well.
Now... again the waiting game for the biopsy. At least I know that this time they were in the right place! After all, where else could they go?!