Handhold please for my 3 year old daughter's surgery

[Handholdpleaseforsurgery]

We've just been given a date, it's pretty soon. Major surgery at a big children's hospital.

I'm so glad she has got a date as we were really worried about the delays with Covid, and I'm glad that all being well (touch wood) she will be able to have visitors a few weeks afterwards when she's recovering at home.

Been focusing on the practicalities but suddenly I'm terrified. We've known since she was a baby that she'd need the surgery and it's been a waiting game.

She's second on the list and I think the surgeon has another surgery in the morning. They are long surgeries and I worry that the surgeon is only human and that perhaps it will affect his concentration. Please don't respond agreeing and suggesting I change it because I know I won't be able to. Also, I've just read that afternoon surgeries might have better outcomes for certain kinds of surgeries. I'm probably cherry picking articles that support that but please understand why I'm trying to make myself feel better.

She's the most wonderful, cheerful, funny, imaginative little girl and I'm so scared (never in front of her)

Just sending you good wishes, my DS had to have major surgery at GOSH when he was 6 months old, the actual surgery lasted about four/five hours, we were told to leave the hospital and go out during the OP ... it was obviously a very difficult time, but as parents you must do your best for your child and rely on the skill and professionalism of the medical staff. Our DS is now a 20 year old at Uni .

I think whatever time of day the surgery is you could think 'what if'.... I know it's not always poplular on Mumsnet but we took great comfort from just sitting quietly in the Hospital Chapel .. more peaceful than the coffee shop or waiting room.

Move away from google!

It’s petrifying when they are having surgery,
Something that never gets easier. Make sure you look after yourself in the lead up to and on the day.

Are you allowed someone with you while she is in theatre? If not maybe arrange to meet someone to walk around the local area with a coffee for a bit?
Hope it goes well

Op I’ve had a friend who has been through this. Big handhold to you and sending very best wishes to you and dd for the op.

Surgeons are experts and my dd has had minor but fiddly surgery with no complications at all, even being last on the list in the late afternoon. They will be totally focused on keeping your dd safe

Thank you. I might be able to go for a walk outside of the hospital with DH but I'm not sure! None of it really matters though as long as DD is ok

I think I will throw myself into preparing and packing and getting her some lovely new toys and things for the stay and recovery afterwards

My DD has had 8 surgeries at various times from first on the list for the day to last on the list for the day. When in the day she had her operations made no difference. Sending hugs to you and your DD and I hope everything goes well.

My son has had numerous admissions, procedures including major surgery at our local children’s hospital. What people often forget that it’s a team effort involved in a patient’s surgery and the expertise of the anaesthetist is often overlooked. Anaesthetists tend to be modest and some members of the public believe that they are technicians and not highly qualified doctors who have received many years of post graduate training, also anaesthesia in the UK is the safest in the world. I am biased as my recently retired husband was a consultant anaesthetist.
When our son had his surgery, we knew he was in safe hands so we went for coffee, a walk and visited a nearby museum, of course due to lockdown we’re restricted what we can do.
I hope I’ve reassured you and my only advice is to stay off Google!