Last Tuesday, I had a truly magnificent sleep. I put on a gown, pulled my hair into a cap, stretched out on the bed and pulled the sheet around my chin.

“Now I’m just going to make you a little more comfortable,” said the nice man looking down at me.

I closed my eyes. Something cold touched my arm. “That feels really good,” I murmured.

When sleep is so evasive, it’s no wonder an anaesthetic feels novel and exciting, and even a little magical.Credit:

I must have dropped right off because next thing I knew, a woman with a British accent was calling my name. “It’s all over,” she said, resting a hand on my arm. “Can I get you a cup of tea?”

“Yes please!” I said, and yawned and stretched. Mmmm. I do enjoy a light anaesthetic.

Now, nobody wants to have major surgery, but I was just in for a routine colonoscopy. Sure, the preparation was a bit gross, particularly one urgent and dramatic trip to the bathroom at 4.30am. But I was asleep for the truly egregious part of the procedure, and the rest of the experience was very pleasant indeed. I could switch off my phone and be looked after by kindly nurses for a few hours. I could be the centre of attention at a theatre party. I could go braless and makeup free and wear little red booties.

Best of all, I had a fabulous sleep in the middle of the day, followed by a cup of tea and a delicious egg sandwich served to me in bed. It was like a long-haul flight to nowhere in a fully reclining business class seat. I give it five stars. Recommend. Would do it again.

I have had several anaesthetics for relatively minor procedures, and whilst the recovery process has been variable (my tonsillectomy at the age of 50 was apocalyptically awful), I have always enjoyed the sensation of being put to sleep. After all, slumber can be quite the elusive beast in my regular life.

QOSHE - Paper undies are a small price to pay for such a great sleep - Kerri Sackville
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Paper undies are a small price to pay for such a great sleep

23 1
22.02.2024

Last Tuesday, I had a truly magnificent sleep. I put on a gown, pulled my hair into a cap, stretched out on the bed and pulled the sheet around my chin.

“Now I’m just going to make you a little more comfortable,” said the nice man looking down at me.

I closed my eyes. Something cold touched my arm. “That feels really good,” I murmured.

When sleep is so evasive, it’s no wonder an anaesthetic feels novel and exciting, and even a little........

© The Sydney Morning Herald


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