advise from those whom have had surgery

[mlynn]

my baby 3 1/2 growing up fast!
we have decided to go w/ nath and i know all the doc differing opinions from you. but, our gut decision is the best for me and our family!

having said that:
1. how long did you stay in houston?
2. how did you explain it to his 2 year older sister?
3. what hotel is best/ we have family there but, want to stay near the hospital / i will if i can stay w him. my parents will stay at the hotel.
4. i am from florida and i am terrified to leave until the insion heals?
5. our kids our great but, they ruff house how do you handle the brace? has anyone had it break?
6. how much therapy should we be doing pre opp? now 6 hours week plus water therapy?
7. any helpful tips to calm my nerves?
thank you for your help
mshatraw@aol.com

[Mare]

What surgery are you having done???? Frankie had the mod quad. We had to be in Houston 3 days before surgery for testing. Frankie was in the hospital overnight stayed 1 extra day at hotel and went home. The pain wasn't bad only had to take tynol with codine maybe 3 times. Get a letter from Dr Nath stating the splint can not be removed or x-rayed by airport security his office knows what you need. As far as playing and getting rough thats a big no no sticthes can rip or his arm could get pulled on. Dr Nath said Frankie wasn't even allowed back to school till the splint came off cause if someone bumped into him they could do some damage to him. Frankies splint was on for 16 weeks. The hospital lets 2 people sleep in the room and all the hotels are close and have free shuttles Dr Naths office can tell you where to stay he has hotels that give discounts to his patients. I can't tell you how to explain all of it to his sister Frankie is an only child. As Far as how do you keep calm short of being unconsious you don't I had panic attacks and horrible dreams and broke down crying whenever I was alone but in the end everything was fine. Frankie handled it better then I did he was calm the whole time he said he was alittle nervous and hated the waiting. Best of luck Mare

[brandonsmom]

My son was the youngest of four when he had primary and MOD QUAD. I just told the kids to be careful, they were older and understood. After Mod he was in the hospital two nights, but that was 8 years ago. We lived 10 minutes from the medical center at the time so I did not need a hotel.....we did stay at the RESIDENCE INN for Primary that was nice, I loved the idea that I could cook a meal there. I stayed with my son, and my husband went to the hotel after Primary with my daughter and cooked and brought me something healthy to eat.
Okay now, don't get excited....my son did actually break his first after surgery splint, not the one he went home with...let me explain before you panic. They gave him Tylenol three for pain, it made him hyper/way beyond hyper.....it does the same thing to my hubby, so he was in the crib, the big stainless one....he was 14 months old and bamm, down he goes.....cracked it straight up the middle, so at four in the morning when I really wanted to go to sleep and he still wanted to play, even 8 hours after the T3, we called in dr. NAth and they gave him benedryl. When he saw his cast the next morning, he chuckled, but it didn't hurt anything.........he made sure the therpist knew to make Brandon's wear home splint extra heavy duty. He still till this day calls Brandon the "WILD CHILD"

Good Luck to you and your precious child and tell Dr. NAth that the Olson's said "HELLO"

Gayle
Mom to Brandon 9 ROPBI

[mlynn]

thank you all for the suggestions!!! we are having the mod. I have really prepard but having said that I really think one can never totally prepare mentally, emotionally and being the protector. Thank you again !!!!

[Antoinette]

I am looking for insight from people/children who had the mod quad surgery. My son has not had any surgeries, yet. I am looking for feedback to help me make my final decision on if we should go forth with surgery or not.
Also, I am looking for who is "best" surgeon with the best results. Any direction or insight will be much appreciated.