The wait while your child is in theatre

[MelvinThePenguin]

It’s long isn’t it?

Even when you know it’s all going to be fine. Time just passes so slowly.

I forgot to ask how long DD would be. What a ridiculous oversight!

Don’t know what to do with myself now…

Aww OP, offering a handhold. It is long, the wait is horrible. My DD has been in theatre SO many times due to a serious illness and the first few times were utterly horrible. Watching them go under GA is also endlessly dreadful and never really gets any easier. Lots of 💐 and a big viper hug and a handhold for you. I’m sure all will be fine and your DD will be out with no problems in no time ❤️

Thank you! I was weirdly fine watching her go under. I’m used to the setting through work (though I’m not clinical) so it didn’t feel alien. But being sat here on my own has been a bit more of a shock. I think the adrenaline is coming down as I’ve been “on” since she had a “little” accident yesterday afternoon that turned out to be a bit more significant than her reaction gave away!

Years ago my child was having the first of several operations. No one told me that I needed to be in a different area to see her afterwards, so I waited where I'd been left for what seemed a very long time. I was terrified. Your post brought it all back. Mine was fine. All good wishes for yours.

Oh that is stressful @Footle

They’ve been equally concerned about me as they have DD here, so I’ve been lucky. I’ve got a little buzzer thing and when it goes off, I make my way to recovery.

Last time I had one of these I was waiting for a table in a restaurant on my honeymoon. Very different levels of anticipation!

I remember the buzzer thing, it’s a strange experience

hope all is through soon

It is long, yes.

Hopefully it is all over and done with by now?

I have done it many times: 5 hour procedures and much shorter ones.

For anyone else going through this, One thing to remember is that if the consultant / surgeon gives you an estimated length, add on a big margin of time. They generally talk about how long their bit takes, but add on time before for the anaesthetist to get everything as it should be, time after for a registrar to ‘close up’, nursing staff to apply dressings, anaesthetist to supervise the waking up, and it can add a lot of extra time.

Also, when you are with them in recovery, encouraging big breaths helps get rid of the anaesthetic drugs / gases faster.

It’s over, she’s out and the additional interventions deemed likely were not in fact necessary. The best outcome we could have hoped for really.

I am completely exhausted.

Lots of love OP, I’m really glad she’s ok and it went as well as it could have under the circs. Hopefully you’ll be on your way home (today? Tomorrow?) and have people around who can look after you both for a bit x

@MelvinThePenguin , I'm very glad to hear it went well.