I had my first gastroscopy at the age 35. I had given birth naturally, so my pride wouldn’t let me undergo sedation without at least trying to go without it. So, I confidently declared that I would undergo the procedure without sedation.
While waiting for my turn, I had to hold an anesthetic in my mouth for about 10 minutes, and that alone was unpleasant. As my turn approached, I started to feel really nervous.
When the procedure finally began, I kept burping and felt like throwing up. I waved my hands, but the more I struggled, the tighter the nurses held me. The doctor raised his voice, too.
I was a complete wreck by the time it was over. Seeing the state I was in, my husband declared that he would never undergo an unsedated gastroscopy. I feel the same way now.
give birth naturally - a childbirth that involves little to no pain medication
sedation - the use of a drug or other means to make someone calm or to make them go to sleep
be a complete wreck - to be in a bad physical or mental state
the state someone is in - the condition of a person or thing at a given time
나는 35살에 처음으로 위내시경 검사를 받았다. 자연분만까지 한 내가 시도도 안 해보고 수면내시경을 한다는 게 자존심이 상했다. 그래서 나는 자신 있게 비수면 검사를 받겠다고 했다.
내 순서를 기다리는 동안 10분 정도 마취제를 입안에 머금고 있어야 했는데, 그때부터 별로였다. 내 순서가 다가올수록 정말 떨렸다.
드디어 검사가 시작되자 트림이 계속 나오고 토할 것만 같았다. 손사래를 쳤지만 내가 몸부림칠수록 간호사들은 나를 더 꽉 붙잡았고, 의사의 목소리도 더 커지기만 했다.
그렇게 만신창이 된 채로 내시경 검사가 끝났다. 내 상태를 본 남편은 절대로 비수면 위내시경 검사를 하지 않겠다고 했다. 이제 나도 마찬가지이다.
- You should at least try to do it by yourself. / I will at least try to recite the passage every morning.
- I was so nervous that I felt like throwing up. / I felt like throwing up all afternoon.
- I was so nervous that I was a complete wreck. / I was a complete wreck by the time the workout was over.
A: Have you ever had a gastroscopy?
B: Yes, I’ve had it a few times.
A: How was it?
B: At first, I didn’t know what I was doing and got an unsedated gastroscopy.
A: Really? Wasn’t that difficult?
B: Yes, I really had a rough time. I strongly recommend doing it while under sedation.
