Post Surgical Contemplation - What Worked What Didn't

[Francine_Litz]

taking a moment here to just write down some thoughts...

It was EXTREMELY helpful for Maia to meet other kids having surgery and to romp around for a day having some fun. We went with Austin to the Children's Museum. Then we swam with Jake, Austin and Nicholas. It was just so much fun for her. That's one of the reasons we didn't do dinner together. It was such a huge day and it was ALL for the kids - much more important than sitting at a restaurant together. Can't say enough how much fun that was and great for the kids!

I had read this book a month ago about preparing for surgery and what eases the recovery/healing process. Three things made a huge difference for Maia. The first was teaching Maia how to do some relaxation breathing - we have been doing that for a while now. The next thing was having music available for her, for pre O.R. and in the O.R. and for the recovery room. I actually taped 3 tapes and had plans to bring a walkman. We forgot the walkman believe it or not and had to try and find one and at the last moment Child Life was able to find us one (Thank God for them!!). Dr. Glass truly respected our wishes and made the music an important piece of Maia's "plan" and told the resident such. They pre-medicated Maia with silly juice, and pain meds, and steroids (for her lungs) and then we layed her back on the bed and put her headphones on...and wow - such a difference. She came out of the O.R. with the headphones still on and the music playing. We changed the tape to a slightly livelier tape (Enya versus the Reiki tape) when she got in the recovery room. She woke up and still wanted the music on. The next day when I asked her what she remembered about her surgery, she said that the music was really nice. And she remembered what music she heard.

I also asked Dr. Glass to talk to Maia while she was under (read about this in the book, too). It said that they did studies about people under anesthesia and they found that they do hear everything said. So if a doctor says "Whoops - I just tore that whole thing off"... the patient will never know if he tore his surgical gown or if he tore the guys arm off. So if you keep headphones and music going, they will be less likely to hear operating room chatter. Dr. Glass also spoke to Maia about that things are going well and that she will wake up well rested , etc. I also asked Dr. Nath to talk to her too..and (after he rolled his eyes at me) he agreed that he would (lol).
So I left all my tapes with them so that they could do this for other children. I think it worked really great. So here's one of the outcomes that MAY be a result of going to sleep and waking up so nicely... Maia has NEVER slept after her previous surgeries. For the last surgery, she didn't sleep for 9 weeks (no kidding!). I always felt in my heart that it was because she was scared of going to sleep - because of how she went to sleep for the surgery and how she woke up in pain each time. Well- this time it went so much easier and now she's sleeping so well... is there a connection you think? I can see Dr. Nath rolling his eyes at my woo woo theory - but that's ok...I just have this feeling that it really did help.

Pre-medicating with pain meds (because Maia has such low pain tolerance) worked well and she needed even less morphine in the PCA pump than last time. She didn't need any additional pain meds until 11 pm that night. (remember that Maia really has severe pain when she has surgery - most children don't)

What didn't work was that Maia still needed to get her steroids, anti inflammatories and antibiotics and the IV pole was removed and she had a hep lock (just the IV left in the wrist). When she didn't want to take meds by mouth, they "pushed" the drugs into her hep lock (without additional fluids) and this burns tremendously...not good at all - severely traumatic. 5 hours of it. So if I were you - find out what drugs the child still needs to have BEFORE you disconnect the IV machines, etc. Yikes and a half.

And then again it was VERY helpful for Maia to see other kids in their splints and in their hospital rooms so that she knew that there were others going through the same as her. It was so nice for her to see Austin and Nicholas and JoJo and see that they were all in the same boat.

It was GREAT to be in the airplane in the "BULKHEAD" area so that you have a little more space. We told the steward (forgot the new politically correct title) about Maia's surgery and he quickly brought her a blanket, pillow, bottle of water and a couple of barf bags. He connected with her and checked on her many times during the flight. Made her feel so well cared for. Can't say that they will always be so nice - but wanted to report a very positive return home.

What ALMOST didn't work...ohmygosh...still can't believe it. Don't ever put your car keys in your luggage that gets stowed away!!!! hahahahaha It was a panic for us. And the pocket that had the keys was on the outside of the luggage and the zipper was OPEN!!! I felt around and couldn't find them and I can't even tell you what Lou's face looked like. But then I sat, took a deep breath and put my hand in there again and they were there!!! Thank God!! hahahaha

So those are my thoughts....
Maia is doing great today btw... she went to school for a special service and we were there for an hour and she did well. Her friends were very surprised to see the reality of the splint but after some time together they all got used to it pretty fast. We have to work on the bathing concept tonight...it's getting a little stinky..hahahah. I tried to convince her to sit on a step stool in the bathtub so that I could shower her lower end but she wouldn't allow it. I was hoping to get a bit more water on her than just a sponge bath. We'll try again later.

Have a great weekend,
francine

[marymom]

we do breathing alot,
I think everyone should do it!!
its very helpful in any stressful situation, I was thinking that might be a nice thing to share about at camp-
IF I get there and IF you are there lets share some breathing ideas

[Tammie]

Francine, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed our late night chat. I hope Maia is doing well.

Tammie

[Francine_Litz]

Girly sleepover... what fun! Too bad I couldn't stay up any longer. Tell Jo Jo we say hi to him!
-francine

[Francine_Litz]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... ce&s=books

this is the book I was talking about...

Prepare For Surgery- Heal Faster
Peggy Huddleston and Christine Northrop

[admin]

Francine....After Megan's first and second surgeries she too had lots of problems sleeping. What the doctor called "night terrors". I always felt it was because of what she had been thru. Sandi

[Julie]

Francine,

I started laughing as I read your post. I could definitely see Dr. Nath "rolling his eyes" at your requests!!! But who knows our kids better than ourselves. I am so glad that you found things to make Maia's surgery less stressful on her and therefore less stressful on you. Keep posting your great ideas! Maybe it will get to a point that hospital will offer things like this as an option.