Having the right person hold you and sing "You are my sunshine" seems like the best possible palliative measure for when you're suffering nerves prior to a horrible medical procedure.

Well, it wasn't nerves, it was an actual, physical response to the preparation for the procedure (I am trying to avoid medical TMI unless directly requested, in which case it's not TM), but it was incredibly comforting no matter what. derspatchel turns out to be very good at this.