DD has het Pre-Op tomorrow.

[Willablackford]

Dd 10 has her pre-op & tour around Childrens Ward and Theatres tomorrow

She really scared about going. She's just gone to bed crying

I don't think we'll get her there tomorrow. We're supposed to be there 11am

Any advice on making her less anxious

I've been thinking about cancelling her operation, but Hubby keeps saying if we cancel it'll make her fear worse

any advice welcome.

This is only the pre-op, doesn't bear thinking about what she'll be like on the day of Surgery. poor little thing

My dd was also terrified when she had her op (knee) aged 11. I felt cancelling it would be worse, as she'd have to go through the same fear twice. And if I agreed to cancel it, then it would in some way have been me saying, yes an operation is such a scary thing that I can't really expect you to face it. Which would be storing up trouble for the future.

What helped her was making a lot of fuss. I took her into town the weekend before for a special meal and treatment; she got a present to take into hospital with her. We didn't get a pre-op appointment, but just went in on the day. She was much calmer then than she'd been before.

Best of luck!

We're back from the Hospital & the Pre-Op & tour

We had loads of tears thismorning . It took lots of reassurance & comfort to get Dd in the car, and then into the Hospital

We were immediately struck by how colourful and child friendly the Day Ward was. Decorated with Disney Characters and all sorts.
All the Nurses wore Red Poloshirt & black Trousers. Some were also wearing colourful bib things.

We were shown round by a lovely nurse, she was brilliant at making dd feel at ease.
Dd didn't want to look round the Anaesthetic & Recovery Rooms (she started crying & got very anxious again)

Instead we had a session with a Play Specialist in the Playroom. She was fab,managed to calm dd down (she was in floods of tears wanting to go home).Dd kept saying "i'm scared mummy,don't leave me,i want to go home"

It all started so positively,but then went down hill . Dd did so well to get as far as she did. Coz she was absolutely terrified, bless her.

We didn't speak to the Anaesthetist,that would have been to much to deal with !
that's being left till the morning of the Operation