I want to phone the hospital ward where DS4 willl be going on Tues but worry that they will think I am being pushy.

[MehgaLegs]

He is nearly three but has SN so developmentally he is still like an 18 month old. He is having a hyperspadias repair and both his undescended testicles brought down.

He doesn't cope well with stress, unusual places and obviously pain. He is impossible to comfort in soem situations and has been know to cry for hours, despite my very best efforts.

We are going to Southampton General. I just feel I need to warn them. His notes will show he has SN but I want to explain the way he is a little. I'm hoping for a side room because he will be very disruptive in a ward over night. However, I don't want the nurses to think I'm using it as an excuse to get a side room.

Also, I know they are busy and stressed. I wonder if they will have the time to lsten and even if the ame nurses will be on duty.

Would be interested in your views.

I'd ring, simple as that.

bump for you, not sure myself

susiecutiemincepies (she may have changed back to susiecutiebananas) is a nurse, I'll email this thread to her and give her a text she may be able to give you the burses point of view

You may be lucky and get someone who will go the extra mile for you.

Give them a call though, have low expectations and hopefully they'll surprise you.

I hope you're both okay and they make his stay as easy as possible.

Hi Mega,I am sure they will listen,and try to accomadate if at all possible if the cubicles are not in use for a child with an infectious disease or life threateningly sick child.Maybe your best course of action would be to ring the ward and ask to speak to the Sister or Charge Nurse and explain the situaton direct to them,and see what they say.

Ah lovey, just give them a bell. they will have loads of time for you, loads of interest and Good godgirl, put your self out of this misery.

I would welcome a phone call from you if i were a nurse on that ward.

i tell people all the time... "please ring, dont sit worrying, just ring up and we will speak to you, even if its 3 am in the morning...ring us"

YOU ARE IMPORTANT AND SO IS YOUR CHILD.
Please just give them a bell and tell them every thing you have told us.
not pushy but very very important xx

Thanks eandh. I'm sure it's fine to ring, the ward number is on the letter as I have to ring and check there is a bed available on the day.

The last time we wnet there (MRI scan under GA) they were lovely but not really prepared for him thinking he was just an average two year old.

im a nurse by the way xxxx

honestly, we dont mind x

Mega, did you not have a pre-op appt where you could discuss all this? I am not being critical of you in asking this, just that you have not had the opportunity to express your concerns until now as when my sons had their hypospadias repairs done, we had an appt about a week before the op where this sort of thing could be arranged. If you have not had this opportunity, I do not think it would be unreasonable for you to ring the ward tomorrow to talk to someone.

I am so slow. Thanks for the replies - donbeam and wrinkly you have made me well up

I'd ring too. My dd is developmentally delayed, and we always have automatically been given a side room. It does make it a lot less stressful for her and for us.

The nurses on our local paed ward were great - they really did get to know dd despite being busy. However, due to them being so busy I did feel that I needed to be there all the time to change dd, feed her, settle her if she woke etc.

Hope it all goes as smoothly as possible for you

just to add, I've been sooo impressed with children's nurses, a breed apart, really lovely and helpful, ring them! Aftre all you'll be making their life easier- the more they know, the better to help your ds.

What sort of info do you have from the hospital? DS1 is also having an op on Tues, I was able to take him to look round a couple of weeks ago and I have to phone on Monday to find out what time to go. I have already phoned the ward once with some questions and although they were not able to answer them all they were very helpful. I would definately phone, they may be able to put your mind at rest.

DG yes, we did have the preop appointment but it was so long ago now because of all the cancellations. I can't remeber what i told them.

They said side rooms are sometimes available but it is also the kidney ward so there are, like wrinklytum says children who need to be in isolation.

I will definately ring in the morning.

My son was admitted as a day patient last week. I rang the hosp.the day before to clarify something in the appointment letter and by luck got through to the nurse he would be having the next day.she was very happy to speak to me and help with my query.In your position I would not hesitate to ring up for a little chat.

Actually,3am is a really good time to ring up a ward about advice(usually) You would probably not get the Charge Nurse at this time,though

When we were there in the autumn for his MRI they were fantastic. Also he has been in this ward before as he nearly had the op at 10 months but they cancelled at last minute due to his SN. The nurses were lovely.

(I will get up and switch a light on in a minute, typing in the dark is terrible for my spelling)

I have put it to the back of my mind, but now it's looming and I am fretting.

Need a warm drink and an early night I think.

You have all made me feel so much better.

Hello mehgalegs

Well, Donbean had basically said exactly what I would say, and have said, many times.

Sadly, not enough nursing/medical staff do emphasize this kind of thing, and I feel it really lets our patients down.

I honestly make sure that relatives/parents ( depending on where I'm working ) know, that they can call anytime, ask to speak to the nurse looking after their relative. Of course, its not always possible to come to the phone immediately, but certainly they will call back, and if they don't within reasonable time, I advise them to call again. Sorry, but bit of a bug bare of mine, shit communication is not justified in anyway, in my book.

There is no point sitting at home worrying and getting upset, if a phone call can help. That is part of out job, parents/relatives are as important in many many respects, as our patients.

You won't be seen as being pushy at all and if they are not nice to you, point them in my direction, ok ? ( although, they really will be ok )

Main advise is that I'd suggest calling mid morning, 10 -11.30 ish, or mid afternoon, 2pm - 4.30 ish. As the other times of the day are particularly busy, with drugs rounds, ward rounds and giving out food!

Oh, best of luck lovely. He'll be home again before you know it DO please aske if there is anything else worrying you - here or the hospital! Take care now

thinkin of you hun, take care and as we discussed ystdy - defo ring them xx

Thanks susie - perfect post as I was wondering this morning when the best time to ring would be. What I need is for you, donbeam and wrinklytum to all come and work at Southampton General for the day.

MABS - thank you - how's your head today? Enjoy the Abba night, wish I could come.

Ah - I feel better now. Have just spoken to lovely ward sister. She has taken all DS4's details and say she will pass them on whoever is in charge tomorrow.

She was very kind and assured me they woukd be ready for him.

Still feel sick at the prospect of tomorrow though. Poor little chap, he is going to be very uncomfortable for a few days.

good luck - hope all goes well tomorrow. x

Thanks Margo - can't wait for it to all be over.

Sending lots of quick healing vibes to ds4