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Children's health

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Original poster

3 yo DS in hospital tomorrow - what do we tell him?

13 replies

Mercedes519 · 07/07/2010 10:37

We've been waiting for a slot for ds1 to have a minor op under GA and the hospital phoned this morning and we're taking him in tomorrow.

He's nearly 4. He is much better behaved when he knows whats going on but I don't want to scare him or not give him enough info.

Any suggestions on what to talk to him about and how to approach it. Any tips on how to make it easier for him (and us!)

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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loopyloops · 07/07/2010 10:40

Just be honest with him. Tell him why he's going, and explain carefully the anaesthetic - the mask, that he'll go to sleep and it won't hurt. That he'll wake up in a different place but mummy will be there all the time. Encourage questions.

3andahalfmonkeys · 07/07/2010 10:48

My 5yo ds was in havng minor op 2 weeks ago. we discussed everything with him. explained that mummy would be with him all the time. explained that he would go to sleep and whn he woke up he would be better. he was better than me.

Original poster

Mercedes519 · 07/07/2010 10:52

Thanks guys. I'm concerned about tmi and making nervous but it sounds like your DCs weren't phased. Do they do the GA with a mask then and not a cannula in the hand?

OP posts:

loopyloops · 07/07/2010 10:59

this might help

deleting · 07/07/2010 11:11

The anaesthetist should come round before the op and will explain the procedure so you will find out what method they use and can answer your questions. DS had hernia when he was only a couple of months old and they used the gas, which took literally seconds, so might be better than fiddling with canulas. I would just explain what he's having done in a general way and perhaps tell him that when it's all done he'll get a treat or whatever, that way he can focus more on that. I would just keep it very lighthearted and obviously try not to show him you're worried. Nurses are usually very good at distracting them and will have loads of experience with it. Hope it all goes well, it's very worrying, even the minor op ds had because you feel completely helpless while they're in there, but picking them up from the recovery room is the best bit - relief. DP wanted to go and do things while we waited, but to be honest I couldn't concentrate on anything and we just went for a walk outside. By the way, they will tell you how long the op takes, but don't sit clock watching because they don't always take them in straight away after you leave them, so it could be a lot longer. Good luck.

SparkleRainbow · 07/07/2010 14:17

What time do you have to be there tomorrow? If it is not ridiculously early, I wouldn't tell him until the morning, than if he does worry about it, it won't lie awake tonight. Then in the morning I would talk to him about it, rehearse it with him verablly and perhaps visually with a doll, and encourage him to ask any questions, and keep reinforcing that. After you have met with the anaesthetist and the consultant tomorrow, you should be able to have time to talk to him again. Good Luck

pregnantpeppa · 07/07/2010 14:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Mercedes519 · 07/07/2010 16:43

deleting a few months old...that must have been soooo stressful

Thank you all for your thoughts and advice and a key point is that they do this all the time at the hospital so are probably a lot better at it than me . I just need to be positive about it - it needs to happen and he will be fine

We've had a brief chat about going to see the doctors again (we went a few weeks back) so he's cued up for going there and then I think we'll explain more at each stage of the process, especially after we've seen each of the hospital people.

Thankfully they have phoned and said he can have a light breakfast - I was starting to get more stressed about very hungry child at 6am tomorrow morning being told he can't have his normal cereal

OP posts:

LimaCharlie · 07/07/2010 16:50

I'm sure all will go well and you'll be more nervous than him - hope tomorrow passes quickly for you

loopyloops · 08/07/2010 20:40

How did it go? Hope you're all ok. xx

Original poster

Mercedes519 · 08/07/2010 22:37

Have just got home!!! We were there for 9am and he didn't go into theatre until 5pm. He was amazing, I was expecting a lot more whining about hunger and thirst, he played all day quite happily and then was really good going in. Bit grumpy afterwards but then perked up and demonstrated that his bladder worked by missing the toilet and weeing all over the floor

Thought we might get stuck in overnight but managed to get away, late but we can catch up on sleep over the weekend.

Thanks for all your support, you were right. He was so much better than me....

OP posts:

usernamechanged345 · 09/07/2010 16:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SparkleRainbow · 09/07/2010 17:56

I am so glad it went well

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