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   Lucy's having surgery

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Topic: Lucy's having surgery (Read 1150 times)

chickmama
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Lucy's having surgery
« on: Dec 16^th, 2002, 1:42pm »

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Lucy has had a bump on her neck since birth. It looks sort of like a little adam's apple. We went to a pediatric surgeon a couple of weeks ago, and he's decided it has to come out. He thinks it's a dermatoid cyst, and is just under the skin...no big deal, the procedure should take 10 minutes. However, it could involve her thyroid gland, and in that case it will take 45 minutes, and require a drain tube for a couple of days. I'm a little upset that they won't let me accompany her until she is sedated, but, the doctor say's they would get into trouble with OSHA if I did. Also, she will have to wake up by herself in recovery, and they won't let us see her until she's awake. I'm not so much worried about the procedure, as I am about her separation anxieties. Do any of you have experience with this? Am I worrying for nothing, or is this something to worry about?

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Irishlass
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #1 on: Dec 16^th, 2002, 2:36pm »

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First, may I begin by saying that little Lucy (and her mom) will be in my prayers. :angel:

This whole thing will probably be harder for you, Mom, than it will for Lucy. The nurses are trained to deal with frightened young patients and she will be groggy enough when she "wakes up" that she probably won't remember that you weren't there at the very moment she woke up.

When is the surgery scheduled? Will it be over before Christmas?

Good thoughts and prayers are coming your way from Irish in Indiana.

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Rhune
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #2 on: Dec 16^th, 2002, 3:59pm »

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I have had surgery once before, when I was about 16, where they put me fully under. I remember that the part where I left my parents went very quickly. They put me on the table and wheeled me away and had already started an IV prior to that, and asked me to count backwards from 10 and frankly I don't remember past 8. So, that part goes quickly.

The wake-up part was very disorienting and I only really remember this male nurse standing over me and cracking jokes as I semi-woke up and he was trying to get me to interact (wake up enough) and then I remember being back with my parents. I was in such a fog I don't think I had time to be scared. Of course I wasn't as little as she is, but I'm not sure she'll have a chance to get too scared because the drugs are so disorienting...

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Kramer
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #3 on: Dec 17^th, 2002, 7:52am »

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For some reason, several of my neices/nephews were born and then developed cysts on their necks shortly after birth (I don't know if there is a genetic factor in this or not).

All that had this had the cyst lanced and drained and they came through with no problems. They had to stay in the hospital for 2 days and be placed on antibiotics.

This all was a very long time ago and perhaps modern medicine has changed this procedure.

It is stressful to have a child go through any type of procedure. I will be keeping you and lucy in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us updated.

Love,
Kramer :grouphug:

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MzWings
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #4 on: Dec 17^th, 2002, 9:00am »

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First of all, just know that I'm saying prayers for 'lil Lucy!...and for the whole CM household. She's going to be just fine luv! Please let us know asap when the surgery is scheduled.

And I agree with Rhune and IL - she probably won't remember much about anything. But you're her mom and it'll probably be harder for you. I don't like that you can't be with her but you know how children are. Kids pick up on anxieties quickly. The separation will help keep her calmer so the nurses and others working with her can more quickly get their jobs done. At least I guess that's their reasoning.

In the meantime - God bless you, sweet Lucy! You're gonna be A OK! Tongue

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Addams
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #5 on: Dec 17^th, 2002, 6:33pm »

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for our angel :angel:

lucy and her angelic mom chickmama :angel:

Every family's experience is a little different - I do know that your little one will have her trust in your decisions and will not know very much about your absence because of the sedation/analgesia.

I have two experiences. When I had my own tonsils (age 7) out I remember my mom coming with me as far as she was permitted and then giving me a teddy bear tnat came the rest of the way. I was confident that everything would be fine. The nurses and doctors were so good.

When I awoke I was quite croggy and by the time I was really coming to, they had let my dad in the recovery room. Once I realized he was there I just relaxed and don't remember much more until I got back to my room.

Wednesday had tubes in her ears and her adenoids out last October. The hospital had an orientation for the children before the surgery. Hers was the night before because of being bumped up the waiting list. It was very cool. The family with the child were taken through the different stages including a visit to the operating room and actually putting on the little masks.

They used a special cream to anesthetize their little hand before putting in the IV and they all got to touch the IV tubing during the orientation and see that it was not ouchy at all.

On the day of the surgery we waited in an anteroom and they came to get little Wednesday. She was 3 years old and had a teddy bear with her. I still remember getting all choked up as the nurse took her hand and they walked together to the OR. So small and so big all at the same time.

Ifyou want to stop reading here - that's fine because the next bit was upsetting for me at first - in the end it worked out but the recover room was not child friendly as the pre-op had been. Until the child specialist arrived we were subjected to mean old Nurse Barb - cranky and nasty - that's all I have to say. When Wednesday woke up she was crying for her mom and so when I saw her she was sobbing. This of course broke my heart.

But part of it was also a reaction to the anesthetic. Everyone comes out of the sedation differently and some people are naturally upset. I think you and your kids are pretty "together" but Wednesday and I are a sensitive pair and emotional. But once I got her in my arms they pulled up a rocking chair and we stayed there together. I asked for a freezie that they keep in the fridge so we could both suck on one - she picked her own colour even though she was pretty much "out of it".

Eventually we headed down to the part of recovery where dad could finally join us and it was all OK.

One tip - we took red Gatorade for her to drink afterwards because she doesn't like fizzy drinks or many juices. The would not let us give her the red gatorade because it was red - pick another colour. Problem is if they throw up they need to know there is no blood etc. That was one detail they had forgot to mention the night before.

I am keeping you and Lucy and your husband in my prayers - let us know how it goes and big hugs for all of you. :grouphug:

It will go well and we know this is only happening because it is for Lucy's health. :grouphug:

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MzWings
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #6 on: Dec 17^th, 2002, 6:42pm »

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You - addams - are a dear- :heart:

to relate that to CM. It will of great help to me. As I just read it I could almost feel and smell the hospital and its corridors....hear the sounds and the pulse of the goings-on.

It's going to be all good CM and Lucy.......all good! Tongue

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MzWings
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #7 on: Dec 17^th, 2002, 6:43pm »

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.....DUH!

I meant: "....it will be of great help to HER".......sorry 'bout that.

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LibertyBelle
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #8 on: Dec 17^th, 2002, 8:01pm »

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Has she had the surgery yet CM? Let us know how things go, meantime y'all are in my prayers. :hug:

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chickmama
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #9 on: Dec 18^th, 2002, 10:33pm »

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First, I want to thank you all, very very much. Lucy's really "into" stuffed animals right now, I certainly like the idea of giving her one at the moment of departure. She will turn 3 on Jan. 12, so I asked them to schedule us for the surgery after that day. It will be on January 14th.
Now, you've all been so wonderful thus far, I have another question.....How much should I tell her about what she's gonna be experiencing?

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Bumper
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #10 on: Dec 19^th, 2002, 12:36am »

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on Dec 16^th, 2002, 1:42pm, chickmama wrote:

I'm not so much worried about the procedure, as I am about her separation anxieties. Do any of you have experience with this? Am I worrying for nothing, or is this something to worry about?

Wow, go away for a couple of days and all kinds of things going on!!!

Chick, don't worry, (easier said than done, huh?) Lucy will be OK. Just reassure her and tell her in terms that she will understand, what the Doctor is going to do, and that you will be right there when she wakes up. By the time she comes around, the nurse will have come and gotten you.
From the experiences of a parent who has already been where you are headed, lol, the "seperation anxieities" are usually worse on the parent rather than the child.

I'll be thinking good thoughts for you and Lucy. :sunny:

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crypto
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #11 on: Dec 19^th, 2002, 8:02am »

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Chicky, I for one, think children should be told about surgeries regardless of age. The problem is explaining it on a level that is understandable. You don't necessarily have to tell her everything, but she does need to know that she has to go. Again, like I told you earlier, I would call the social worker or child life specialist at the hospital and ask them for the best wording on how to explain this to Lucy. Honesty is the best policy. Children are very intelligent and comprehend far more than we give them credit for.

Love the stuff animal idea or maybe even something from home that is meaningful to her.

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Kramer
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #12 on: Dec 19^th, 2002, 11:24am »

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Since Lucy is three, I would keep the explaination simple, such as: You are going to go to the hospital and mommy will be right there with you. They are going to give you some medicine that will make you go to sleep. Mommy will be there for you the entire time that you are asleep. When you wake up, mommy will be right there waiting for you.

Maybe not those exact words, but something simple along those lines.

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chickmama
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #13 on: Dec 19^th, 2002, 1:24pm »

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Thanks again everyone. Crypto, I did call them, I think I must have gotten someone having a bad day, she wasn't very helpful. You have all been super though :love:

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Addams
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Re: Lucy's having surgery
« Reply #14 on: Dec 19^th, 2002, 3:49pm »

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I think it's a good idea to wait until Lucy has her birthday. Explain it to her in terms she will understand and she will accept it.

Kathleen play acted her experience with her dolls for several months afterwards. I found it really interesting. They do handle it in their own way knowing that mom/dad were there for them as much as humanly possible.

Have a wonderful Christmas. I will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

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