The surgeon's office called. His favorite assistant for cataract removal is GONE this Wednesday. Sooo, surgery is canceled. We're waiting a week. Now, the big day is January 20. Don't you just love a surgeon who makes everything perfect for a delicate procedure? AND, turns out he performs this particular surgery almost every week. A practiced hand, what a gift.
So, what sort of questions should I make sure to ask before the big day? I feel like I should know, but haven't got a clue. I guess there are the obvious, like when she can last eat or drink, but other than that I'm sort of floundering. Any friendly advice?
It sounds like Lulu is going to be in excellent hands. As for the questions... hm. I'd be curious about how the contacts are going to work since I'm not fond of touching eyes. Good thing Auntie Cerissa is across the street and very practiced in this dept! Praying!!
ReplyDeleteMy biggest question is do you have to keep her from rubbing her eyes. And if so for how long. How long does it take the eye to heal?
ReplyDeleteI think kids usually go home with a shield on to protect from things like rubbing until the eye is healed. Used to anyway.
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in what exactly to tell Lulie about the surgery and when to tell it. I would want to know (and frankly would insist upon it) if I got to go into the surgical suite with her until she's asleep, and if I got to be with her as soon as she wakes up. I would want to know what I should be saying to her at the hospital both before and after surgery to make it less scary for her. I would be asking about post surgical complications, how to recognize them, and what to do about them, and what activity restrictions she will have and for how long. I would ask about pain and pain medication. Shall I go on?Actually I am sure they will cover most of these things whether you ask or not. :) Its pretty routine.
You and Lulie are going to do just great.
Ok, that is SUPER helpful. In fact, I'm gonna make a list of those.
ReplyDeleteWe've talked about it a little, but I don't think she really understands. The last time we went she wasn't real excited about having her vision tested so, I'm still thinking on that one.
Also, I think you said, "Shall I go on?" YES. If you think of ANYTHING else, I'd LOVE to hear it.
{HUG}
Way way back when I did my pediatric rotation I think they told us that discussing it a day or two ahead of time was sufficient at Lulie's age. But maybe they advise something different nowadays. And no, she isn't going to understand much of it. In some ways that is a blessing because she won't have the usual fears of surgery that an older child would. She mostly needs to know that you are not going to abandon her there. You are going to be right there with her. How is she with strangers these days? What I remember most in the short time I worked as a nurse was that a calm momma always resulted in a calmer child. Moms are amazing. They are pretty much the answer to any problem at this age. :)
ReplyDeleteOk, that's something I can really wrap my arms around. Stay calm. She'll take her cues from me. Make sure she knows we won't leave her. Ok. Breathe.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insight. Truly. In some ways, my holding Lulie's hand is a lot like God holding mine. Just being there is all the world.
Thank-you.
I think you have a perfect right to ask the questions about food, etc. I doubt at this age there is much thought in a child's mind as to the whys and wherefores of surgery, but you could ask Carolyn what they told Andrew, as he was 15 months old when he had the Wilms tumor.
ReplyDeletePraying for you this week dear Bethany and for that precious Lulie.
ReplyDeleteIf you need anything, please do not hesitate to let us know!