Parenting Big Kids (5-8) Support Group

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How Can I Make Kidney Surgery easier for my 7yo?

Tigriz
Tigriz
My 7 year old was diagnosed last year with severe hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidney) caused by a UPJ obstruction. He underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty with drain placement and temporary stent in September of this past year. We just found out the surgery in September did not fix the problem, and he now has to have open pyeloplasty in March. His first surgery was painful and scary, and his doctor has already warned us this second one will be worse as far as pain. But it must be done in order for him to retain the limited function he still has. How do I explain all this to a child who is terrified of even the word surgery? What can I do to make all this any easier on him?? Appreciate any ideas!!
serenityspeaks
serenityspeaks
Oh I am afraid I have no advice. But sending prayers. How hard to deal with. We never like to see our kids in pain:(
joleneLS
joleneLS
My spouse had a kidney transplant at 19, he went in to acute renal failure at 17. But his kidneys started failing at 9 and no one caught it. So when it suddenly came to light he was terrified. He was older then your little guy, but he said what helped him was talking to some people (the hospital set this up) that had been through either the same surgery, or similar surgery. He got to see the scars, he got to hear how scared they were but how they knew it was for the better and how much better their lives actually are now. He has had so much since then (he turns 30 soon) that now he is a pro, but even though he won't admit it, you can still see the fear in his eyes before a surgery, or after a scare, or when they are putting in a stint, or anything really. Maybe see if he can talk to someone who has been there, who can talk him up on how brave he is and how it will all be okay?
rebecca19831
rebecca19831
Does the hospital that he is having the surgery in have a program where they go through all the pre surgery tests and the kids get a stamp book and allow the parent to go into the OR until child falls asleep where you are ?

It might be less scary that way. My son has been through 4 surgeries and he is only 6.5 yrs old. 3 of those surgeries where to place tubes in his ears and one dental surgery to fix cavities in his mouth. I was able to stay with my little man until he was in the OR until he fell asleep from the anesthetics.
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