I guess I looked like a fish that had been out of the water for a few days, but was never wondered about the fears you mention. My biggest thing was being able to see the people around my bed and and glad to see them. I did wonder if I could atlk and be understood so I tried to talk. It had to sound strange and contain unfamiliar words to the ones near, but I was given paper and pad and wrote what I wanted to say. The next thing was the eating part but I had a line into my neck for the meds and some thin liquid nourishment. I couls actually make the ones there laugh. LOL but declined to share my FOOD.