Feeling low/upset after sons operation

[harlacem0507]

Basically that...but I don't know why? He had a planned operation for a tonsillectomy and removal of adenoids which all went to plan, he went to theatre fine, I was shocked at how quicky he went to sleep with the GA though, his eyes just rolled back and he was gone which for some reason keeps popping into my head? Then after the op in recovery he was kicking, crying, very confused, that was distressing to see as he's very chilled and well behaved but i was told it was normal and within half an hour he was much calmer and back to normal within a few hours. So why do I feel like this? No one else seems bothered (DH, DS,DD etc) but I keep checking him constantly (he's fine except a sore throat!) feeling very protective of him and I'm not that sorta mum I'm very liberal and relaxed and I think it's freaking out the family. I just feel so emotional and I can't work out why as nothing has really happened! Anyone felt the same? He's 7 for context.

It’s very normal! You are his mum and it’s very scary seeing them go off to sleep with strangers ensuring they are breathing and safe.
My son had surgery last week - nobody gets it in our house too! They weren’t there!
It’s a privilege to have looked after him though - remember that xxx

It's normal to be affected. Take it easy.

Horrible watching a child be ill, or need treatment, or have GA, or be different.

It's ok not to be 'relaxed' in these circs, it'd be weird if you were! All the stress of the operation has to come out.

Have a bath, early night, rest. You'll be yourself soon I'm sure.

Thank you, he's very quiet too which I believe is the sore throat but I don't feel like we are 'back to normal' yet I mean it has only been 2 days but I just feel like crying but it seems so unjustified 🤣

OP my DS had an OP when he was 2. He was kicking and screaming in the anaesthetic room and we had to hold him down while the gas worked. It was traumatic for me and I had nightmares for months. DS is now 14 and of course has no memory of that at all. This year he had another GA which he was terrified about but it was calmer and not traumatic for either of us. This is much more traumatic for you than him and at 7 he's likely to forget all about it anyway.

Completely normal.

Mine is 8 and has been in hospital for 6 months now. He’s had 5 surgeries with 1 more coming up soon and 1 more in the future and watching him go off to sleep and then leaving him never gets easier.

He is usually fine waking up but one time he woke up screaming too and it’s awful.

Be gentle with yourself.

@Kirbert2 so sorry to hear that.

OP it sounds so so normal! If you want to cry just cry you don't need anyone's permission.

It's normal.

My 22yr old adult son had a scary accident in front of me last week. He's fine now but I was on edge for days and woke up in the night with horrendous flashbacks.

However calm and relaxed we are normally, when our children are in danger or ill our primal protective instincts kick in.

I hope your DS recovers quickly.

My (usually very chilled) son had the same op when he was 5 and was exactly as you described before and in recovery. It was really distressing at the time, for both of us, but he was soon back to normal and it needed to be done. Try not to dwell on it, it's over now.

My son screamed “I’M A POTATO” as he came round - we laugh about it now but I was convinced he was starved of oxygen or something 😅

I sobbed ridiculously when my dc had general anesthetic for something very minor. It's horrible to watch and your reaction is normal.