We have just had the date for DS4's op and rather selfishly I am requesting some help to get me,me, me through it.

[MegaLegs]

This will be the third time I have to watch one of my boys being given a GA and I don't think I can do it.

DS4 is due a hypospadias repair and a double orchidopexy (sp?) to bring down undescended testicles. Not major surgery I know.

Does anyone have tips to keep me strong and calm for him. Once the op is over I can put all my efforts into keeping him comfortable. Is there something homeopathic I can start to do now (My mum used soemthing to calm her flying phobia a few years ago and she had to start taking it a few weeks before - it helped her alot).

A kick up the arse and a pull yourself together probably won't cut the mustard this time.

Oh, Mega, that sure is tough.

When will it be? Have you long to worry prepare yourself?

Mage, you can do it, you know. Only DS out of my two children has had a GA, but he has had 5 starting at two days before his first birthday.

DS's last one was a single orchidopexy so I know some details of the recovery but it sounds like it is the bit leading up to the surgery that you are thinking about. Obviously you know the procedure (having been through it with your other boys). How old is DS? Will it be morning or afternoon surgery? Can someone go with you while you wait? I know it is usual for only parent to go down to theatre with the child but usually there is a lengthy waiting time beforehand.

Mega I bet there is something, but would it not be best to go to see a homeopath, as I don't think most remedies are one size fits all, from what I have read? I am very sorry to hear of this and can completely understand you need lots of emotional help

take some rescue remedy right now. for a start.

His op is on the 22nd Feb - so not too long to stew! DS1 had a double orchidopexy last year. He had two days when he could barely stand but was back at school a week later.

DS4 is 2 1/2 he also has SN with developmental delay so he seems younger. He will have a stent in his willy for a week, a pressure dressing and we will have to use a double nappy system where you cut a hole in the inner nappy and push the stent through to keep the repair as clean and dry as possible. That's also going to be hard but I know I'll cope with that bit as it's more practical and it's definately the emotional side where I crumble.

Know a few people who have used a local homeopath with success so maybe I should give it a try.

Soph I found my rescue remedy this morning during a major handbag clearout - I may have to sprinkle some on some choc.

bozza just reread your post - you've coped with 5 times - you poor thing. Did he have gas or intravenous? My boys seem to have terrible veins and both have had the gas. DS1 was fine but DS4 was terrified and fought hard.

I have no faith personally in homeopathy but it has done marvellous things for almost everyone on the 10 / 10 thread who has tried it. So it looks like the bonkers charlatans alternative health practitioners actually do cure people, the devious bastards

Here, have a hug {{{{}}}}}
Look, don't just buy an over-the-counter homeopathic thingummy - remedies should be the exactly right one for you, based upon all symptoms/traits.
Homeopathy is a great thing, for emergencies and constitutional treatment (provided you find a homeopath who practises it properly

my homeopath friend suggests rescue remedy for both of us (my ds is also due GA in the next few weeks), she also suggests arnica for ds a day before and after (if required), ie to speed up healing

I'll try anything Franny - even if it's all in my head (I gave up trying to spell psychological) if it gets me through the day it'll have been worth it.

Bozza forgot to say, don't know what time op is. Usually have to get there for 8am and then the surgeon works through the list until lunchtime. DH and I will go together and then I'll stay the night (oh joy I do love a children's ward sleepover). Then home next day I hope.

arnica internall that is!

TooT is right

about everything

Thanks for hug TT. And you are right, we are lucky we have good family support and all are ready to step into the breech re looking after the other 3 (it's half term week). My sisters are good listeners but they also get v.emotional about the boys so we will all blub.

Nightcat - agree about the arnica - I dosed DS1 with it ( and myself after all 4 births) and I believe it added to his quick recovery.

TooT of course, not TT (haven't been 10/10 lurking so much recently )

I can't suggest anything. My dd(6mths) has to have surgery when she is one for a dodgy shaped thumb, they will also take a wedge of bone from her hip to put in there. The thought of this drives me bonkers now, so I am sure it will be the for me.

All I can offer is sympathy and{sad} hugs.

Sorry meant

Mega, which hospital will you be at?

When we do overnighters at The Evalina they always give us a side room due to DS SN, he has a medic-phobia (yeah, great with all the tests GA etc he undergoes!) but I probably
exaggerate emphasise this so he gets 'better' conditions (and me, en-suite loo!). He hates noise/busy areas so would freak if on the ward.

Also one time we booked a room at the hotel opposite, had all pre-op tests done on day 1 and then decamped there with DH and DS for the night, had to be on the ward by 8.30-9am next day it was fine - you can canx the room by a certain time and not get charged if the hosp unsure of test results etc.

Beats being woken every few hours by nurses doing 'obs' on a perfectly healthy child or the next shift politely coming in to introduce themselves at every shift change.

norty - we will be at Southampton general. I too emphasised that he would be better off in a room but more due to fact that he is a terrible sleeper and as he will be stressed out and probably in pain he'll be worse that ever and keep others awake. Nurse said he would prob have a room but it's the same ward as the kidney patients and they often need to rooms as need to be away from bugs and germs.

mega don't worry - DS's ops have all been straighforward things , granuloma on face, grommets x 2, adenoids, testicles. It's jsut that leaving your child in the operating room that is difficult which is what you are saying.

Hopefully if your DS is young and with SN he should be early on the list. Last time DS was there at 7.30 and didn't go down until about 1. I felt really sorry for him, with nothing to eat or drink since the day before.

When DS was a baby he had gas but since then he has had intravenous. He has that cream put on his hands to numb them and then is distracted (quite gullible my DS ) while they get the line in.

DS has never been kept in overnight (only had that privelege when DD fell down the stairs). They gave DS an epidural type injection which meant that he was very wobbly on his legs but we managed to get him home before the pain hit. And we ended up carrying him around for the first two days (a 6yo - I could hardly get him through the door) but by the 4th day we were having to tell him to take it easy...

It's the waiting bit. The waiting before the GA is given and then during the procedure When DS1 had his testicles done it took a lot longer as one was stuck. He was about 4th in the queue and the other boys had all gone in and out in about 45 mins but DS1 was in there for nearly 2 hours. I was pacing.

DS2's last GA was for an MRI scan, DH and I went for a coffee then got lost and couldn't remember way back to MRI room. We really panicked thinking he'd come round and we wouldn't be there. Needn't have worried he came round and then went to sleep properly so they kept him in recovery for an hour.

Hi Mega, console yourself with the fact that he will not remember anything about the op/ recovery and maybe not even getting back to the ward. The drugs they use for anaesthetic have amnesic effects. Also, they use numbing cream on childrens hands so they don't feel pain when the needle is put in for the anaesthetic.
I would say though that if you feel you cannot stay calm going into the anaesthetic room with him, don't go in because he will become distressed aswell. Can DH/DP go in instead?