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Post by August Blooms on Sept 25, 2018 7:27:36 GMT -6
So on Friday I have to take my 3.5 yr old daughter to the children’s hospital for an endoscopy as part getting her diagnosed with Celiac disease. The actually procedure is only about 15 minutes but because she is so small it needs to be done under general anesthesia in the OR. She’s had blood work done twice in the past month and is now terrified of needles.
I don’t want to scare her. Anyone have any tips, books or Daniel Tiger episodes that will help me out?
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Sept 25, 2018 7:37:51 GMT -6
I don’t really have any specific resources or anything, but my 3.5 yo had to have anesthesia, and I was surprised by how NBD it was. He wasn’t even that grumpy waking up like he had been previous times. The CRNA who took care of him really covered everything.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2018 7:52:29 GMT -6
Can you call and talk to their Child Life dept?
They gave my daughter oral versed about 30 minutes before her surgery so she was pretty relaxed when they actually wheeled her back. Anesthesia said they give them gas and then start the IV once they are asleep. She did best knowing very little going in.
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byjove
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Post by byjove on Sept 25, 2018 7:59:41 GMT -6
My daughter had her tonsils out when she just turned 4. The hospital had videos online to show the kids what to expect and that was extremely helpful. You could see if your hospital has a video, or find a more generic youtube video. Heck, I can send you the link to the one for our hospital. An IV is inserted after they are already asleep (the IV will be in her arm when she wakes up, but it's not actually a needle at that point- just the little plastic tube)- the biggest thing is helping them understand that they will have to breath the sleepy gas through the face mask. It ended up going really smoothly for us.
We mostly read a book about getting tonsils out, and that was a huge hit, but I remember finding a couple of other things on amazon by just searching for toddler/kid book about surgery/hospitals.
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Post by letthewookieewin on Sept 25, 2018 8:01:09 GMT -6
Hi there! My DS was slightly younger when we had to do the same thing. I just tried my best to explain it on his level--something like "they'll give you medicine to fall asleep so they can look around in your tummy". He's generally okay with needles, so I'm not much help with that aspect (and unfortunately regular bloodwork is going to be a thing if she does have celiac, especially at first).
They had one of us go back with him until he fell asleep--MH went with him because I knew he'd be able to stay calm where I wouldn't be. DS was a mess for a little while after he woke up, but I'm not sure if it was the anesthesia or a sore throat from the endoscopy itself.
Good luck! <3 Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more.
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Post by August Blooms on Sept 25, 2018 8:04:37 GMT -6
hawkward I only have experience with my DH waking up from anesthesia and wanting to fight people so I’m hoping this will be much much easier. I’m hoping for a similar experience to what you had with your son. @kokopelli I think they should, they are a huge children’s hospital. I did look on the website and it appears more geared to more serious surgeries and situations but I guess I could call. It would be great if they did the IV when she’s already sedated since she’s scared of needles at the moment.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2018 8:10:03 GMT -6
August Blooms I work at a pedi hospital and child life never think anything is to small. They come any time we need to do IVs or NG tubes. Or sometimes they come to help a kid take oral medication. I would give them a call and they can give you tips and tricks of things to say.
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Post by GhoatMonket on Sept 25, 2018 8:12:41 GMT -6
Can you call and talk to their Child Life dept? They gave my daughter oral versed about 30 minutes before her surgery so she was pretty relaxed when they actually wheeled her back. Anesthesia said they give them gas and then start the IV once they are asleep. She did best knowing very little going in. This. Versed is amazing. |
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Post by August Blooms on Sept 25, 2018 8:25:08 GMT -6
August Blooms I work at a pedi hospital and child life never think anything is to small. They come any time we need to do IVs or NG tubes. Or sometimes they come to help a kid take oral medication. I would give them a call and they can give you tips and tricks of things to say. I called the RN who is coordinating the surgery so hopefully they can give me some direction. Thanks for your help! |
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Post by brewcitygal on Sept 25, 2018 8:44:11 GMT -6
My daughter has celiac disease and we had the same process when she was 5.
She was nervous, but they didn't even put in an IV until after they gave her some liquid versed. The versed made her so giggly and they then put in the IV super fast. She didn't really even notice it.
To prep her we just said that we needed to do this test to make sure we knew the best way to take care of her and to keep her healthy. I'm a nurse so I think it helps to be straight forward with little kids but don't over preprare and talk about it too much or then they get nervous. Also, just for you to know, even if she freaks out, the doctors and nurses won't care, they know how to deal with a scared little one and can find ways to get stuff done. It'll be ok!
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Post by sudokufan on Sept 25, 2018 9:22:14 GMT -6
My son has been under general anesthesia a couple of times for ear tubes; so far, the biggest problems we encountered were 1. he was afraid of the people in masks/gloves/hats (ie the OR doctors) so we're doing a lot of talking about that this time around (surgery next week) and 2. He had to give the toy that child life let him play with back (this time, we bought a "surprise" to open after) and 3. he acted like a 3ft tall drunken frat boy until we got him home and he fell asleep on the couch. This time around, what I'm dreading most is that his surgery is scheduled for 3:45 pm and he can't have food for like 12 hours before  |
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Post by cakewench on Sept 25, 2018 9:27:05 GMT -6
My 9mo just had a cyst removed under GA, and they knocked him out with a mask before putting an IV in, so he wasn't awake for the needles. Is that an option?
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Post by flippinchica on Sept 25, 2018 9:31:16 GMT -6
My 9mo just had a cyst removed under GA, and they knocked him out with a mask before putting an IV in, so he wasn't awake for the needles. Is that an option? Where I have worked the young kids are usually put under with the mask and then the iv is placed. |
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Post by August Blooms on Sept 25, 2018 9:38:25 GMT -6
@letthewookiewin Thanks for sharing your experience. How is your son doing since going GF?
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Post by August Blooms on Sept 25, 2018 9:46:22 GMT -6
brewcitygal That’s the plan I’m leaning towards, I’m not going to talk about it until Thursday and then just keep it simple since we usually discuss what we are doing the next day. @sudukofan That’s is a long wait without food, I hope this time goes well for you guys.
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Post by letthewookieewin on Sept 25, 2018 9:55:55 GMT -6
@letthewookiewin Thanks for sharing your experience. How is your son doing since going GF? It's been a year and he seems a lot healthier and happier! I struggled when he was first diagnosed because we weren't expecting it (we were originally referred to the GI doctor for constipation and that was one of the blood tests she ran), but it helps knowing it was probably much easier to make the change at 3 than it would be as an adult. He'll even insist on checking food labels with me to make sure his food is gluten-free. |
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Post by August Blooms on Sept 25, 2018 13:05:44 GMT -6
@letthewookiewin Thanks for sharing your experience. How is your son doing since going GF? It's been a year and he seems a lot healthier and happier! I struggled when he was first diagnosed because we weren't expecting it (we were originally referred to the GI doctor for constipation and that was one of the blood tests she ran), but it helps knowing it was probably much easier to make the change at 3 than it would be as an adult. He'll even insist on checking food labels with me to make sure his food is gluten-free. That’s really cute that he’s checking labels already. As someone who is probably celiac I would have to agree that it will probably be much easier for her as she will have no memory of all the delicious things made with gluten. |
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Post by August Blooms on Sept 25, 2018 13:59:17 GMT -6
So the RN called back and ran through the details of what was going to happen. I’m going to take everyone’s advice and keep the explanation simple. Thanks for the help everyone!
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robot
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Post by robot on Sept 25, 2018 15:53:51 GMT -6
Late to this but before my 2.5yo DD has surgery we read Franklin Goes to the Hospital. I seriously hate Franklin but she loved it and it gave her a lot of confidence in knowing what was to come.
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McBenny
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Post by McBenny on Sept 25, 2018 17:04:39 GMT -6
I am of the no prep mind. Not to make it a big deal. This is where we have to go for whatever it is etc.
Both of mine have been inpatient for different things.
This was my approach. Both did well.
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cribs
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Post by cribs on Sept 25, 2018 17:08:35 GMT -6
I am of the no prep mind. Not to make it a big deal. This is where we have to go for whatever it is etc. Both of mine have been inpatient for different things. This was my approach. Both did well. Same and versed |
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betches
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Post by betches on Sept 25, 2018 17:30:57 GMT -6
My kid just had to go under anesthesia for an MRI. She’s 1 1/2 so obviously different about level of understanding, but they did the anesthesia through a mask first then setup her IV and monitoring things once she was out. They let me stay with her until she was out, which was hard on me, but I feel better knowing she wasn’t alone for that part. Apparently kids come out of anesthesia really fast, she was already awake by the time we got back to her and she was pretty freaked out until we could calm her back down. She also seemed kind of dizzy for the rest of the day
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Post by August Blooms on Sept 25, 2018 19:58:26 GMT -6
My kid just had to go under anesthesia for an MRI. She’s 1 1/2 so obviously different about level of understanding, but they did the anesthesia through a mask first then setup her IV and monitoring things once she was out. They let me stay with her until she was out, which was hard on me, but I feel better knowing she wasn’t alone for that part. Apparently kids come out of anesthesia really fast, she was already awake by the time we got back to her and she was pretty freaked out until we could calm her back down. She also seemed kind of dizzy for the rest of the day I don’t think I’m going to be allowed to stay with her from the sounds of things. It makes me a little more nervous but she’ll be fine. Thanks for sharing your experience, I hope your daughter is ok. |
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talon
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Post by talon on Sept 25, 2018 20:58:32 GMT -6
DD has been under general 3 times. Versed was amazing. She was totally cool and happy when they took her away. All 3 times they have used the gas to help her fall asleep and IV later so that was NBD either. You can find social stories about hospitals online to help prepare her. Depends on the kid if knowing will amp them up or help calm.
She did FREAK OUT after anesthesia this most recent time. Like crazed hulk screaming for at least 1/2 hour. It can be a common side effect so I'd prepare yourself just in case. I knew it was a possibility and it was still scary.
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Post by August Blooms on Sept 28, 2018 11:55:10 GMT -6
I kept things simple and didn’t tell DD anything until this morning. Her fear of needles came up in pre op but the nurses were good. It also helped that there were a bunch of kids in the pre op room too and they had scented gas to help get the mask on. Endoscopy went well, DR said that damage looks consistent with celiac. So no surprises and other than being a little tired from the anesthesia she is doing well.
Thanks for the advice everyone!
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Risscaboobs
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Post by Risscaboobs on Sept 28, 2018 12:03:46 GMT -6
Glad it went well!
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Post by letthewookieewin on Sept 28, 2018 13:25:06 GMT -6
I'm glad things went fairly well today!
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Post by lifesaverz on Sept 28, 2018 15:05:19 GMT -6
My kids have been under multiple times. I think getting blood drawn was actually much scarier for my DD than surgery. For kids they usually give them something prior to taking them back that makes them really relaxed, so it ends up not being a big deal. Honestly I don’t prepare my kids much, I find that less is more so that no one gets scared. They know we’re going to the doctor & that the doctor is going to help with whatever the problem is, that’s about it.
ETA: oops, didn’t realize it had already happened. Glad it went well!
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