We moms are supposed to be the brave ones. We're the ones who hold our families together....we are the glue that keep our families tight. But who's gonna hold us when we're scared and anxious??!!
Cole is having surgery today to repair an umbilical hernia, a very common procedure with very little risks. But it does require general anesthesia so to me, that alone, is downright scary, especially since he's never had surgery before and there's no way we can know how he'll react to anesthesia.
The nurse called yesterday to go over all the instructions, regarding when he needs to stop eating, time we need to be at the hospital, where to go upon admitting him...yadda, yadda, yadda....then she said, "He can bring toys from home and a favorite blankie too...although at 10 years old, he probably doesn't carry a blankie anymore". I stopped her right there and said, "um, Cole's not 10 years old...he's only 4". Nothing but silence on her end. Then she said, "oh....oh....oh no....okay, I see what happened...I confused you with the boy whose surgery is right after Cole's surgery. Their names both start with C's so I mixed them up." Then she proceeded to tell me a different time that we needed to be there since she had given me the time that the other boy needed to be at the hospital....and all HIS instructions of when to stop eating, etc.
Once she gave me the correct information for Cole, I couldn't help it...I had to ask, "So how can I be sure that the doctor won't confuse him with that same boy during the surgery?". She assured me it was a mistake on her part....oh, the doctor never makes that mistake...never has and never will. So how come I wasn't feeling reassured? I really wanted to ask what the other boy's surgery was for....what if my son woke up missing his right arm?? Or came out with a different-shaped nose? Okay, so I was probably getting all worked up but this is my baby we're talking about...he's never had surgery before...I'm a newbie at all this.
I quickly jotted a note to myself on the paperwork "in pre-op prep area, tell nurse to circle Cole's belly button with a black marker", a little tip that my friend Robin had shared with me in preparation for the big day. She also mentioned asking them for an anti-nausea medication (for Cole, not for me...although I could probably use some meds tomorrow) so I also jotted that down in my notes.
The funny thing is that Cole doesn't seem to be anxious about the surgery. I know it'll be a whole 'nother matter as he's being prepped in the hospital but for right now I'm pleased that he doesn't seem to be worried about it. Bella, on the other hand, was very concerned at first, which I found very sweet and endearing. She said, "Can I come with you and Cole, Mama?" and I told her no, that we'd be gone all day long and she'd be bored just sitting around waiting. The she asked, "Will Cole be okay?". So I explained to her that Cole would be fine and she'd see him as soon as we get home but that it was very sweet of her to show compassion for what he would be going through. Then Cole interrupted her and she slugged him on the side of the head and said, "be quiet....I'm talking right now". So much for concern and compassion, right?
Okay, so on that note, I'm gonna put on my game face and be brave, while inside I know I'll be a complete wreck!! This is a simple, routine surgery and I know everything will be fine. But could someone please hold me, anyway???
Cole is having surgery today to repair an umbilical hernia, a very common procedure with very little risks. But it does require general anesthesia so to me, that alone, is downright scary, especially since he's never had surgery before and there's no way we can know how he'll react to anesthesia.
The nurse called yesterday to go over all the instructions, regarding when he needs to stop eating, time we need to be at the hospital, where to go upon admitting him...yadda, yadda, yadda....then she said, "He can bring toys from home and a favorite blankie too...although at 10 years old, he probably doesn't carry a blankie anymore". I stopped her right there and said, "um, Cole's not 10 years old...he's only 4". Nothing but silence on her end. Then she said, "oh....oh....oh no....okay, I see what happened...I confused you with the boy whose surgery is right after Cole's surgery. Their names both start with C's so I mixed them up." Then she proceeded to tell me a different time that we needed to be there since she had given me the time that the other boy needed to be at the hospital....and all HIS instructions of when to stop eating, etc.
Once she gave me the correct information for Cole, I couldn't help it...I had to ask, "So how can I be sure that the doctor won't confuse him with that same boy during the surgery?". She assured me it was a mistake on her part....oh, the doctor never makes that mistake...never has and never will. So how come I wasn't feeling reassured? I really wanted to ask what the other boy's surgery was for....what if my son woke up missing his right arm?? Or came out with a different-shaped nose? Okay, so I was probably getting all worked up but this is my baby we're talking about...he's never had surgery before...I'm a newbie at all this.
I quickly jotted a note to myself on the paperwork "in pre-op prep area, tell nurse to circle Cole's belly button with a black marker", a little tip that my friend Robin had shared with me in preparation for the big day. She also mentioned asking them for an anti-nausea medication (for Cole, not for me...although I could probably use some meds tomorrow) so I also jotted that down in my notes.
The funny thing is that Cole doesn't seem to be anxious about the surgery. I know it'll be a whole 'nother matter as he's being prepped in the hospital but for right now I'm pleased that he doesn't seem to be worried about it. Bella, on the other hand, was very concerned at first, which I found very sweet and endearing. She said, "Can I come with you and Cole, Mama?" and I told her no, that we'd be gone all day long and she'd be bored just sitting around waiting. The she asked, "Will Cole be okay?". So I explained to her that Cole would be fine and she'd see him as soon as we get home but that it was very sweet of her to show compassion for what he would be going through. Then Cole interrupted her and she slugged him on the side of the head and said, "be quiet....I'm talking right now". So much for concern and compassion, right?
Okay, so on that note, I'm gonna put on my game face and be brave, while inside I know I'll be a complete wreck!! This is a simple, routine surgery and I know everything will be fine. But could someone please hold me, anyway???