Guest guest Posted March 5, 2002 Report Share Posted March 5, 2002 Hi, Kim. I think you've done a great job in preparing your son so far. Did you explain the anesthesia to Blake? Our son was only 3 when he had his first surgery, so he didn't know quite as much as your son (although Troy knew more about it the older he got). I imagine they will give him the anesthesia via the mask. The anesthesiologist will more than likely give him a choice of flavors (such as bubble gum or strawberry). The anesthesiologist's that we in the past were all remarkable doctors! They made Troy feel very much at ease. Is this Blake's first surgery? If so, than he shouldn't have any problems with them using the mask. My son used the mask only the first couple of times. After that, he refused it! It scared him to death. He chose the needle afterwards, much to the doctors surprise (what a brave little boy he was). They numbed the top of his hand first (with a special cream), then after the medicine took effect, they inserted the needle. He never flinched once! When is his surgery? He sounds like he is ready for this, thanks to you! Please let us know how he does. We will keep you in our prayers. Take care, Terri ds surgery friday Well, the day is rapidly approaching. Blake (age 6) is quite excited, actually (I guess I've done a decent job of not giving him anything to worry about). For those of you who have had children go thru this, do you have any suggestions for what I should tell him in preparation for the big day? He knows about the hospital and the operating room and the big bandage and the fact that I won't be able to be with him the whole time, but I'm not sure what else to tell him. Especially since he will likely have to do this again, I want to do my part to make it as tolerable as possible. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We won't be able to see the surgeon on our pre-op appt on Thursday, so I submitted questions a week or so ago. The nurse called me back with answers, but the theme seems to be " it depends on what he finds during surgery. " The surgeon rated Blake's case a 5 out of 10 and said he'd have to have a second look in 9-12 months. I'm not overly concerned about the surgery itself -- the doctor is an expert and has done this thousands of times -- I'm more concerned about the things that can't be predicted, like his reaction to anesthesia. Can anyone give me any idea what to expect from kids this age? I've heard such horror stories about kids and anest. Nervous, kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2002 Report Share Posted March 5, 2002 Hi Kim, As with each adult, each child is different in how they react to the anesthesia. I have never had any problems and they have used at least 4 different kinds on me. If he by chance has a problem this time they can use something somewhat different next time. Sounds like you have done a good job preparing Blake. Lots of love and pampering afterwards, which I'm sure you were going to do anyway. We'll all be praying for you and him. Jane >From: " kim_wallace29 " <gig_em91@...> >Reply-cholesteatoma >cholesteatoma >Subject: ds surgery friday >Date: Tue, 05 Mar 2002 17:00:14 -0000 > >Well, the day is rapidly approaching. Blake (age 6) is quite >excited, actually (I guess I've done a decent job of not giving him >anything to worry about). For those of you who have had children go >thru this, do you have any suggestions for what I should tell him in >preparation for the big day? He knows about the hospital and the >operating room and the big bandage and the fact that I won't be able >to be with him the whole time, but I'm not sure what else to tell >him. Especially since he will likely have to do this again, I want >to do my part to make it as tolerable as possible. Any suggestions >would be appreciated. > >We won't be able to see the surgeon on our pre-op appt on Thursday, >so I submitted questions a week or so ago. The nurse called me back >with answers, but the theme seems to be " it depends on what he finds >during surgery. " The surgeon rated Blake's case a 5 out of 10 and >said he'd have to have a second look in 9-12 months. I'm not overly >concerned about the surgery itself -- the doctor is an expert and has >done this thousands of times -- I'm more concerned about the things >that can't be predicted, like his reaction to anesthesia. Can anyone >give me any idea what to expect from kids this age? I've heard such >horror stories about kids and anest. > >Nervous, >kim > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 - -- In cholesteatoma@y..., " kim_wallace29 " <gig_em91@y...> wrote: > Well, the day is rapidly approaching. Blake (age 6) is quite > excited, actually (I guess I've done a decent job of not giving him > anything to worry about). For those of you who have had children go > thru this, do you have any suggestions for what I should tell him in > preparation for the big day? He knows about the hospital and the > operating room and the big bandage and the fact that I won't be able > to be with him the whole time, but I'm not sure what else to tell > him. Especially since he will likely have to do this again, I want > to do my part to make it as tolerable as possible. Any suggestions > would be appreciated. > Hi Kim My son is 5 and had a polyp removed from his ear in Nov 01 (this was when the Ctoma was discovered) He now faces surgery in May to have the Ctoma removed. Our consultant was great and spoke to in some detail about having an operation. He used terms like " Special Cream " and " Magic Sleep " . We also had the advantage of being allowed to drive an Electric Jeep down to theatre. In fact, his first words to me when he came round were " Can I drive the Car back to Holly Ward " Obviously he wasnt allowed to and he spent the next 20 minutes with a frown on his face! had a canula in his hand to administer the anestheasia but because of the " Special Cream " he didnt feel it go in. The only complaint he made was that he didnt like the " milk " going into his arm.By the time he had asked the aneathetist to stop putting the milk into his arm he had gone to sleep. came out of theatre at 10.15 and by 12.00 he had eaten a cheese sandwich, a packet of crisps, 2 biscuits and a cup of juice. Your sons consultant seems to be very experienced and Im sure his team will be just as good. The last surgery was done as day surgery but was disapointed to find that he couldnt stay and sleep there. The next visit he is booked to stay in over night and like your Blake he is looking forward to his hospital visit. It seems that you have done a great job in preparing Blake for his stay in hospital and Im sure that things will go well for you both if you can keep your positive attitude. Good luck with the surgery and hope that this has helped to put some of your fears to rest. Regards Caroline > We won't be able to see the surgeon on our pre-op appt on Thursday, > so I submitted questions a week or so ago. The nurse called me back > with answers, but the theme seems to be " it depends on what he finds > during surgery. " The surgeon rated Blake's case a 5 out of 10 and > said he'd have to have a second look in 9-12 months. I'm not overly > concerned about the surgery itself -- the doctor is an expert and has > done this thousands of times -- I'm more concerned about the things > that can't be predicted, like his reaction to anesthesia. Can anyone > give me any idea what to expect from kids this age? I've heard such > horror stories about kids and anest. > > Nervous, > kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 just a quick one...i wouldnt say too much about not being with him , unless the aneasthetist wont allow you into the anaesthetic room. if you are allowed in there, and any anaesthetist worth their salt will let you, he will drift off to sleep whilst you are still there....if the " chuck you out to go back to the ward and wait " whilst he is going off to sleep, then he'll already be at a level of unconsciousness that will mean he doesnt realise you've already left. after the op, with modern medicines...the recovery eriod is generally a lot quicker. immediately after surgery he'll remember very little, and its a general rule of thumb in any paediatric surgery to call the parents to the recovery room pretty quickly after an op. firstly, parents are brilliant carers of their own children, secondly, the child is much happier for seeing a known face and thirdly it makes for an infinately easier time for the staff. barring that....be as honest as you feel your child can cope with. each child is quite individual in this respect. the very best of luck to you and little Blake. try and remember that kids are real resiliant and make the most amazing of recoveries. dont read the adult stories and apply them to kids...reaction to anaesthetic is very different in kids. also...if youre concerned about post operative nausea or sickness ask for an anti-emetic, some places will give this routinely as part of the anaesthetic. thinking of you all, the very best of luck julis and francesca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 the milk you talk about is probably a anaesthetic agent called " Diprivan " . it is known to be painful on administration and from my own personal experience it really isnt all that comfortable. two things can help this, the first is to use a large vein to administer the drug, such as the vein in the forearm or crook of the elbow, rather than a small one on the back of the hand. the other is to mix the drug with 1 or 2 mls of lignocaine/lidocaine, this acts as an analgesic whilst it is being administered. perhaps you could ask about these as options if there is ever a next time (fingers crossed that there isnt!).??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 Hi Kim, I've read some of the responses to your question and since my son Zach was seven when he had his first surgery, and now he has had three (in the past year) and has at least two more to go I thought I could tell you his experience. When we get to the hospital early in the morning he is still very sleepy so that part is always a blur to him. As soon as he gets his hospital gown on they do give him an elixer which makes him quite silly as others have said. The last surgery his anesthesiologist almost skipped it but he saw Zach was feeling very quiet and nervous so he decided to go ahead with it--it makes it alot easier for me anyway! At the hospital we go to, it is their policy to say goodbye before entering the surgery area. by this time he is usually giggling and very content so it hasn't been a problem for him. Unfortunately in Zach's first two surgeries he had a terrible time with the anesthesia and he threw up many times and was given many medications before he felt better--I think because of all the medication he seemed to have a slower recovery period. This last surgery I was amazed because he didn't get sick at all and was hungry a few hours after waking up (the time before he didn't eat all day. I think his last anesthesiologist just tried something different (less drugs I think) and it worked. Zach absolutely hates the bandage they put around his head and for him this gets worse with each surgery because he anticipates how much it is going to bug him for two weeks before his surgery but it does come off the next morning and he immediately feels better. Also, the anesthesiologist made sure that we have been by his side before he wakes up from his surgery. My friends and family were so wonderful to Zach with big cards and lots of hugs--it made him feel sooo special. it almost gives him something to look forward to after the surgery and I think it helped him alot to know how much everyone seemed to understand that he was going through a lot. I will be thinking of you and Blake tomorrow--I know this day is so hard. I wish you the best. kim_wallace29 wrote: Well, the day is rapidly approaching. Blake (age 6) is quite excited, actually (I guess I've done a decent job of not giving him anything to worry about). For those of you who have had children go thru this, do you have any suggestions for what I should tell him in preparation for the big day? He knows about the hospital and the operating room and the big bandage and the fact that I won't be able to be with him the whole time, but I'm not sure what else to tell him. Especially since he will likely have to do this again, I want to do my part to make it as tolerable as possible. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We won't be able to see the surgeon on our pre-op appt on Thursday, so I submitted questions a week or so ago. The nurse called me back with answers, but the theme seems to be "it depends on what he finds during surgery." The surgeon rated Blake's case a 5 out of 10 and said he'd have to have a second look in 9-12 months. I'm not overly concerned about the surgery itself -- the doctor is an expert and has done this thousands of times -- I'm more concerned about the things that can't be predicted, like his reaction to anesthesia. Can anyone give me any idea what to expect from kids this age? I've heard such horror stories about kids and anest. Nervous, kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 In a message dated 03/07/2002 6:05:29 PM Pacific Standard Time, gig_em91@... writes: The main concern now is getting thru those painful hours tomorrow and finding out how bad it is in his little ear. Kim, Please let us know how the surgery goes and what the doctors find. I'll be thinking about Blake and saying lots of prayers tomorrow for him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 Thanks so much to everyone who has replied to my message. Blake had all his pre-op appts today. The appointments seemed to be more for me than for him. The surgeon's resident looked in his ear and his anes. asked how much he weighed, and that was as involved as Blake had to be. We confirmed that he will have the mask instead of a needle in the hand, which is the one thing he was worried about. He's disappointed that he can't have breakfast tomorrow, but since we have to be there so early (6:30), I doubt he'll notice. The main concern now is getting thru those painful hours tomorrow and finding out how bad it is in his little ear. Thanks again for all your notes... I appreciate them so much. I will try to post again after this surgery #1 (can I hope for ONLY??) Kim and Blake > Hi Kim, > I've read some of the responses to your question and since my son Zach > was seven when he had his first surgery, and now he has had three (in > the past year) and has at least two more to go I thought I could tell > you his experience. When we get to the hospital early in the morning he > is still very sleepy so that part is always a blur to him. As soon as > he gets his hospital gown on they do give him an elixer which makes him > quite silly as others have said. The last surgery his anesthesiologist > almost skipped it but he saw Zach was feeling very quiet and nervous so > he decided to go ahead with it--it makes it alot easier for me anyway! > At the hospital we go to, it is their policy to say goodbye before > entering the surgery area. by this time he is usually giggling and very > content so it hasn't been a problem for him. Unfortunately in Zach's > first two surgeries he had a terrible time with the anesthesia and he > threw up many times and was given many medications before he felt > better--I think because of all the medication he seemed to have a slower > recovery period. This last surgery I was amazed because he didn't get > sick at all and was hungry a few hours after waking up (the time before > he didn't eat all day. I think his last anesthesiologist just tried > something different (less drugs I think) and it worked. > Zach absolutely hates the bandage they put around his head and for him > this gets worse with each surgery because he anticipates how much it is > going to bug him for two weeks before his surgery but it does come off > the next morning and he immediately feels better. Also, the > anesthesiologist made sure that we have been by his side before he wakes > up from his surgery. > My friends and family were so wonderful to Zach with big cards and lots > of hugs--it made him feel sooo special. it almost gives him something > to look forward to after the surgery and I think it helped him alot to > know how much everyone seemed to understand that he was going through a > lot. > I will be thinking of you and Blake tomorrow--I know this day is so > hard. I wish you the best. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 Kim, Good luck tomorrow with Blake. Remember, children are resilent. My husband has had 4 surgeries for c-toma and the only thing worse is what you are going through - a child with this disease. Pass the time knowing that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Update us when you can. Michele --- kim_wallace29 <gig_em91@...> wrote: > Thanks so much to everyone who has replied to my > message. Blake had > all his pre-op appts today. The appointments seemed > to be more for > me than for him. The surgeon's resident looked in > his ear and his > anes. asked how much he weighed, and that was as > involved as Blake > had to be. We confirmed that he will have the mask > instead of a > needle in the hand, which is the one thing he was > worried about. He's > disappointed that he can't have breakfast tomorrow, > but since we have > to be there so early (6:30), I doubt he'll notice. > > The main concern now is getting thru those painful > hours tomorrow and > finding out how bad it is in his little ear. > > Thanks again for all your notes... I appreciate them > so much. I will > try to post again after this surgery #1 (can I hope > for ONLY??) > Kim and Blake > > > > > Hi Kim, > > I've read some of the responses to your question > and since my son > Zach > > was seven when he had his first surgery, and now > he has had three > (in > > the past year) and has at least two more to go I > thought I could > tell > > you his experience. When we get to the hospital > early in the > morning he > > is still very sleepy so that part is always a blur > to him. As soon > as > > he gets his hospital gown on they do give him an > elixer which makes > him > > quite silly as others have said. The last surgery > his > anesthesiologist > > almost skipped it but he saw Zach was feeling very > quiet and > nervous so > > he decided to go ahead with it--it makes it alot > easier for me > anyway! > > At the hospital we go to, it is their policy to > say goodbye before > > entering the surgery area. by this time he is > usually giggling and > very > > content so it hasn't been a problem for him. > Unfortunately in > Zach's > > first two surgeries he had a terrible time with > the anesthesia and > he > > threw up many times and was given many medications > before he felt > > better--I think because of all the medication he > seemed to have a > slower > > recovery period. This last surgery I was amazed > because he didn't > get > > sick at all and was hungry a few hours after > waking up (the time > before > > he didn't eat all day. I think his last > anesthesiologist just tried > > something different (less drugs I think) and it > worked. > > Zach absolutely hates the bandage they put around > his head and for > him > > this gets worse with each surgery because he > anticipates how much > it is > > going to bug him for two weeks before his surgery > but it does come > off > > the next morning and he immediately feels better. > Also, the > > anesthesiologist made sure that we have been by > his side before he > wakes > > up from his surgery. > > My friends and family were so wonderful to Zach > with big cards and > lots > > of hugs--it made him feel sooo special. it almost > gives him > something > > to look forward to after the surgery and I think > it helped him alot > to > > know how much everyone seemed to understand that > he was going > through a > > lot. > > I will be thinking of you and Blake tomorrow--I > know this day is so > > hard. I wish you the best. > > > > > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2002 Report Share Posted March 8, 2002 Our thoughts and prayers go out to you today. Please let us know how he does! Terri > > Hi Kim, > > I've read some of the responses to your question and since my son > Zach > > was seven when he had his first surgery, and now he has had three > (in > > the past year) and has at least two more to go I thought I could > tell > > you his experience. When we get to the hospital early in the > morning he > > is still very sleepy so that part is always a blur to him. As soon > as > > he gets his hospital gown on they do give him an elixer which makes > him > > quite silly as others have said. The last surgery his > anesthesiologist > > almost skipped it but he saw Zach was feeling very quiet and > nervous so > > he decided to go ahead with it--it makes it alot easier for me > anyway! > > At the hospital we go to, it is their policy to say goodbye before > > entering the surgery area. by this time he is usually giggling and > very > > content so it hasn't been a problem for him. Unfortunately in > Zach's > > first two surgeries he had a terrible time with the anesthesia and > he > > threw up many times and was given many medications before he felt > > better--I think because of all the medication he seemed to have a > slower > > recovery period. This last surgery I was amazed because he didn't > get > > sick at all and was hungry a few hours after waking up (the time > before > > he didn't eat all day. I think his last anesthesiologist just tried > > something different (less drugs I think) and it worked. > > Zach absolutely hates the bandage they put around his head and for > him > > this gets worse with each surgery because he anticipates how much > it is > > going to bug him for two weeks before his surgery but it does come > off > > the next morning and he immediately feels better. Also, the > > anesthesiologist made sure that we have been by his side before he > wakes > > up from his surgery. > > My friends and family were so wonderful to Zach with big cards and > lots > > of hugs--it made him feel sooo special. it almost gives him > something > > to look forward to after the surgery and I think it helped him alot > to > > know how much everyone seemed to understand that he was going > through a > > lot. > > I will be thinking of you and Blake tomorrow--I know this day is so > > hard. I wish you the best. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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