Please hold my hand as my dd has her anaesthetic!

[weegiemum]

I'm very very nervous.

She's having a real-time x-ray with dye in her hip joint, to check if it's healed from a degenerative condition that started 5 years ago. It's very painful and most adults have heavy sedation or ga for it too.

I have to go with her. Dh is a doctor and just cant get the day off as this has been arranged at short notice and no locums available. I wish he could as I have a bit of a phobic reaction to hospitals - I've spent a lot of time in due to my own disability - but needs must.

My lovely Dad is coming 60 miles to drive us to hospital and stay with me then bring us home (I'm medically unfit to drive), equally lovely step mum will be at home for dd1 and ds getting in from school.

I hate the feeling of anaesthesia myself but I'm trying very hard not to let her feel my worry. I'm also worried because there's a small chance she will have to stay in overnight, and of course I would stay with her! But even last year when I was having daily scans/lps/nerve tests/x-rays/fancy blood tests I wangled it that I went home every night!

One of dh's cousins died under an anaesthetic when they were small so that's in the back of my head too!

Ach well, I'll just get on with cleaning up the house today - my parents are coming!! I know that compared to many many situations this is minor - even for her, 6 months ago we were expecting major remodelling of her hip socket with bone grafting! But I can't help worrying about my baby (who is a huge 9).

[weegiemum]

Forgot to say, it's tomorrow!

[Mercedes519]

Hi weegie has she had one before? I feel your pain - when DS had a GA I was tempted to run after him after they took him into theatre.

They will let you right into the ante-room and you can hold her hand until she's asleep so from her persepctive she will know you are there and you will be there when she wakes up.

Be prepared for her to be a bit confused though - I was really upset by DS moaning and thrashing about but he doesn't remember it, it was just him waking up.

Oh, and take something for you to do - the waiting lasts ages...

[weegiemum]

No, none of my dc have needed an anaesthetic, and no children in dh's family have had one since his cousin had an allergic reaction and died 35 years ago.

We explained this connection to the doctor who said they'd bear it in mind but it's unlikely to be a family thing. Dh has had 2 since we've been married, for wisdom teeth extraction and vasectomy, and was fine.

The procedure will only take 15 mins or so. My lovely Dad will be with us. I just wish dh could but he has to be at work, he's a single-handed GP in a rural area. It's the risk we took on when he took the job.

[Mercedes519]

I can understand why you're worrying but if DH and you have been fine with anaesthetics then perhaps it's less likely that DD will be affected.

It is hard - and you do want someone to hold your hand so I'm glad your dad is coming with you. It's very peaceful - they'll probably suggest taking something to distract her as they put the GA in the cannula and then she'll just close her eyes and go to sleep.

She'll just be waking up when you get into the recovery room and the first thing she'll see is you.

Fingers crossed you don't have to stay overnight - make sure you kick up a fuss if your time is getting delayed and explain how difficult it would be for you to stay and hopefully they can get it done. I remember we got discharged at about 10.30pm - I made a huge fuss about not staying as I was 35 weeks pregnant and the last thing I needed was a night on a cot bed!

[weegiemum]

Thanks I appreciate the advice.

Due to my neuro disability I couldn't manage a cot bed either! (I can't get up and down!). I've already notified the hospital about my own problems, and they have been very helpful, it's a good place!

I'm hopeful theyll let us take her home due to dh being a doc and he's off work Wednesday, as luck would have it the orthopaedic list is on tues.

Hope your ds is ok now?

[weegiemum]

She's in from school (gets the bus yay!) and already is playing up about "I don't want to go!!". She has to, it will check out her hip as being permanently better! Very important as if it's not better and she does load-stress exercise like jumping, it could be damaged - to the extent of having a hip-replacement in early 40s, painful walking etc.

I'm going to let her download lots to her kindle tonight, borrow ds Nintendo and take books and her Monster High dolls! She's not allowed to eat after 6.45 or drink after 10.30 which will be an issue, but we'll be ok!

[Mercedes519]

Bribery is the way forward! It's hard to position it as something good isn't it? Sounds like she has lots to do and I'm sure she will get lots of fuss and love from both of you on Wednesday. Is there a film she wants to watch that you can get a DVD for - double bonus - she stays still and it's a bit of a reward?

Can she drink water after tonight? For me that was the hardest thing - what kind of mum doesn't feed her child? Lots of distraction required here.

DS had a small op to drop a testicle so was a little bit sore but made a speedy recovery as it was keyhole surgery. He was quiet for the following day but after that had to be physically restrained not to over do it as he was still healing. So no after effects of the anaesthetic at all.

[weegiemum]

She can eat until 7am so I'm going to wake her at 6.45 when her big sister gets up to eat a filling breakfast (for her, Just Right with banana and yoghurt!). Hospital says to encourage lots of fluids till 10am, then nothing. But dh (who's worked in paeds and anaesthetics) says I can give her something to suck for a couple of hours after, so I bought mini chupachups for her - also good after.

I'm so nervous! I really don't want to watch her falling asleep but I know I have to be brave, fight my phobia, be there for her! And my Dad will be there for me when I find it hard!

[weegiemum]

So we're up, she's watching cbbc (never usually allowed on a weekday morning!) and troughing down cereal, youghurt and fruit! Just hoping it will all be ok as we've woken to over an inch of snow!!

[Bryzoan]

My dd (2.5) has had to have 3 now - for an op and cast changes / removal for hip dysplasia. I found it horrible every time - both the being with her and the waiting. (which made me feel physically sick) but as you say it was a necessary evil. I'm afraid to say my dd was not peaceful - gas induction with lots of thrashing - then it was really horrid leaving her - I had to leave quickly when she was asleep so they could get on. I cried like a baby once I had left her every time. Hopefully your induction should be a bit easier as your dd understands what is happening, but I'm glad your dad will be with you. Big hugs and lots of luck - hope the arthroscopy results show the improvement you need.

Really good luck

[wonkylegs]

I had an arthrogram the other week but only with local anaesthetic so I feel for her. I was ok but felt very sore for about 2 days and absolutely exhausted for about 3 days, it took it out of me more than I thought it would and I just needed to sleep.
When my DS had a GA for his op last year he was absolutely fine, it was me that had all the crying but not until I had to let his hand go and they took my baby (he's 4) into theatre. He was a bit sleepy for the next day or so but otherwise bounced back too. When I had a GA for a procedure as a child I woke up sobbing, I wasn't in anyway distressed just crying which apparently is very common, so be aware.

[weegiemum]

Thank you so much for your stories!

It's been a crazy morning - my parents live 60 miles away and can't get here as the whole of central Scotland is covered in snow and the roads they need to use are blocked. I'm not even sure if we can get out of our street, we had 2" overnight. Still snowing!

Hoping we can go ahead but it will depend on getting childcare for ds (11) after school, as dd1 (13) doesn't get out until an hour after him tonight!

[denialandpanic]

hope you get there weegiemum, not fair to get all prepared and then have it not happen

[weegiemum]

Sadly, cancelled by hospital. Waiting for a new date now. Urgh.

[denialandpanic]

[wonkylegs]

Oh no, it's rubbish when that happens
Hope they get it rebooked soon