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Original poster

DS needs to go into children’s hospital, should I keep him off school?

35 replies

Whatdoido214 · 04/10/2020 09:18

Hi all

Don’t want to give too many details but my 6 year old needs to go into a children’s hospital in 2 weeks time for a procedure, he will be put to sleep for 10 minutes.
It is something he has been waiting for, for a few months now, and the problem whilst in no means is life threatening, has been causing him pain so he needs it sorting. He has managed to be put in quickly due to a cancellation.
Myself and DS will have to have a covid test 3 days before to check we haven’t got coronavirus so the procedure can go ahead.
Child’s class has already had to isolate before because of a positive case and we are in a high risk area.
Should I keep him off school for the next 2 weeks/ ask the school to send work home? The thought of his procedure being delayed is crushing, & he will likely have to wait months or until a cancellation again.

Any advice?

OP posts:
Hmmph · 04/10/2020 09:19

I would. I am surprised the hospital haven’t insisted this is necessary.

MyMagicStars · 04/10/2020 09:20

I would.

Original poster
Whatdoido214 · 04/10/2020 09:21

Yes I was surprised aswell to be honest. I expected to be told to, but wasn’t.

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 04/10/2020 09:21

I totally see your point but regardless of the situation at school the op could presumably still be cancelled?

Are you saying that if your son has to isolate again he couldn’t go to hospital or only if he actually got Covid? Because the former is much more likely than the latter.

RandomMess · 04/10/2020 09:23

I would keep him home and do everything you can to self isolate.

sunnyday1976 · 04/10/2020 09:23

A relative had an op recently and had to completely self isolate for the 2 weeks before. Even if you've not been told to, which may be an oversight due to it being a cancellation, I definitely would keep him off. It would be awful for the procedure to be cancelled, if he's in pain now.

PrayingandHoping · 04/10/2020 09:23

Im surprised he hasn't been asked to... my mum has to go in for a scheduled op and has been told to isolate for 2 weeks before

lljkk · 04/10/2020 09:24

I would follow advice hospital gives not try to make my life extra hard.

Original poster
Whatdoido214 · 04/10/2020 09:25

When I saw them we were rushed through as again they saw him quickly. They said I will receive a phone call very soon, the appointment is 2 and a half weeks away, maybe they will call me and tell me he needs to isolate from the middle of this week.

OP posts:
Standrewsschool · 04/10/2020 09:25

I would. It seems quite routine around here to isolate (for adults) having operations.

MJMG2015 · 04/10/2020 09:26

I would. He's 6, it's not going to be life altering keeping him home.

I'd talk to the teacher & say you're happy to work through anything she sends, but if she doesn't have the time you'll do lots of reading and other things. (Verbal maths is good, baking, making shopping lists, writing stories, doing a project. Anything really other than staring at a screen all day)

Better not to risk the surgery being cancelled if the lack of surgery is causing him pain!

SunbathingDragon · 04/10/2020 09:27

I’m also surprised he (and the rest of the family) hasn’t been asked to isolate for the fortnight beforehand. I don’t think YABU to keep him off. I hope the op goes well.

IncidentsandAccidents · 04/10/2020 09:27

My mum is having a hospital procedure in a couple of weeks and has been asked to isolate for 7 days before. She also has to take a covid test 2 days before the procedure.

BluebellsGreenbells · 04/10/2020 09:30

I think you need to plan to isolate and make sure you have everything g you need

Murinae · 04/10/2020 09:30

I had an op last week and was asked to isolate for two weeks beforehand and have a covid test 72 Hours before. Was a pain as the op was moved three times and work was getting fed up of me not being available to go in but I’m glad it’s finally done! The told me at the pre op and then again when they rang two weeks beforehand with the op date.

Lonecatwithkitten · 04/10/2020 09:33

There is no standard system last week my Dad had hernia surgery in hospital A he had a covid test and then isolated for the 72 hours before the surgery, he was not to share a room with my Mum and they had to socially distance at home, in August he had a malignant melanoma in hospital B both he and my mum had to isolate for 2 weeks not even walking the dogs ( they live in the middle of nowhere). Then in 13 days time he is having cataract surgery in hospital C he has to isolated for 14 days, but my Mum doesn't have to, but they have to social distance at home.
Three hospitals in a 40 mile radius in an area with low levels of infection three different policies!

In each case he got a call 15 days prior to the surgery telling him what they wanted him to do.

SeasonallySnowyPeasant · 04/10/2020 09:33

Yes, I absolutely would.

Trackandtrace · 04/10/2020 09:34

Yes isolate

Thisisneverending · 04/10/2020 09:36

My son had to have a procedure last week, he had a test 3 days before and we were told he could still go to school in between, which I was really surprised about.
However when we got to the hospital the staff were in full ppe - we didn’t go near any other patients whatsoever, waiting room empty etc.
We were back out of the hospital an hour after his procedure, it felt very safe and I imagine they fully sterilised everywhere before the next patient arrived. Is he going in as a day patient or going to be on a ward?

olympicsrock · 04/10/2020 09:37

The rules have changed now ( I am a surgeon) . Patients no longer have to self isolate for 14 days but are being asked to be tested 72 hours ahead of time.
In your case it is a risk that he gets covid if mixing with 30 kids a day or has a positive contact . I would keep him off school to avoid the op
Being cancelled due to a positive contact in the bubble if you are in a higher risk area.

RaggieDolls · 04/10/2020 09:37

I agree that there doesn't appear to be a standard approach. My niece had an operation last month and was able to go to school until three days before when she was tested and asked to isolate from there.

Original poster
Whatdoido214 · 04/10/2020 09:38

Thisisneverending
He’s going in as a day patient, he has to be put to sleep for 10 minutes then monitored for an hour I think then we can go home.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whatdoido214 · 04/10/2020 09:39

olympicsrock. Thank you for that. I was starting to believe I was going mad, questioning if they had mentioned it or not.

OP posts:
OllysArmy · 04/10/2020 09:39

We are in this situation but it is an adult that needs the op, they have been told to self isolate for 14 days plus the test 3 days before. They were told this was as much for their benefit as having a GA and recovering with Covid was not advised.

LIZS · 04/10/2020 09:40

You need to check if hospital requires 14 day isolation before and after. Presumably if 72 hour test is + it can be postponed as a non urgent procedure and day surgery so that may be why it is not required.