Kinda ot, my boy has to have surgery and it is his biggest fear!

[horsewoman]

Omg.. it's so sad.. My boy who is almost 10 and is completely phobic of any kind of anything to do with hospital or doctors office needs a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy... it is his worse fear. I'm a bit overwhelmed at having to make him do this. I'm probably too sensitive to the health anxiety. Some of you may remember a couple of years ago they thought he was going to have to take out his appendix. He freaked out so bad, they gave him a shot of ativan.. which made him an emotional wreck the next day.. thanks for listening.. ant advice will be appreciated.

[Syrup]

Poor guy! The best thing you can do is schedule appointments with the dr. who is going to do the procedure for a visit or two before the actual appointment. Have HIM describe what he's going to do, how often he does it, that it's not going to hurt. etc. etc. etc. Go to the hospital that he's going to have the procedure in, eat in the cafeteria, point out all of the friendly doctors and have RELAXED they are. Nothing bad is happening, you can see it on their faces. Read books about kids his age having surgeries (Hospital Gowns and other Embarrassments) that will make him LAUGH. Watch comedies about hospitals, there's plenty to choose from, but screen first. Get together with friends who've had it done without complications. Go to the store and have him choose post-op food that he likes. Go to the toy shop and have him choose a prize that he gets once it's over. Don't try to conquer the fear in it's entirety at once. Chip away at it. Each day to something new to get him to warm up to the idea, but in the end even if he's not entirely comfortable (what person ever is??), remember that it will be quick and over before either of you know it!

[andee]

Great ideas, Syrup! Is he going to a children's hospital? They really do help the kids feel more comfortable. Yes, hopefully your doc is very nice and won't mind spending a little extra time with your son and explaining everything. Just keep reassuring him that you will be with him the whole time (or thereabouts). Also, tell him that it's just like taking a nap and he won't remember anything that happened. The recovery is so much better and easier than in the past. Does he like ice cream? Remind him about some fun foods he can eat after (ice cream for dinner??), etc. And also, let everyone who comes in contact with him (nurses, phlebotomists, etc) that he is very afraid so they will make him feel more comfortable as well. GOOD LUCK and keep us posted. You both can do this!!!

[horsewoman]

What good ideas, thank you so much.. I'm trying to get my head around it so I can even tell him. We haven't even had the appt with the specialist yet, that will be this week. His cousin, who is the same age, is having the same surgery done this month.. So, hopefully that'll be good experience to pull from. No, unfortunately it's not a children's hospital. But I hear this doctor is wonderful with the kids.

[andee]

Awesome that the doc is so good. We had a WONDERFUL doc for my daughter who, at 12 years old, had to have a small lump removed from her chest. He has 4 kids and was not technically pediatrics but was sooooo kind and gentle. It makes all the difference...because most surgeons are stuck up and think they are gods. Not this guy...best I have ever encountered. And yes, hopefully is cousin has a very good experience...that will help a lot. Keep us posted!!

[horsewoman]

Update, we went to the specialist and set a date for the surgery... Surprisingly, he has relaxed a bit about it all. He thought he was going to be awake for the procedure! Poor thing, no wonder he was terrified! After we told him he was going to be asleep, he was fine, shew.. A huge cup of ice cream after the appointment helped too

[mdgirl1977]

it's funny how kids have fears about certain things and then they just go away like that. my son is 9 in 2 weeks and he gets worried about bizarre things too (like being awake - yikes). He will probably still be nervous right before but just calm him down, tell him its like the best nap ever and he will wake up before he knows it and gets to eat ice cream for a week!

I had my adenoids out at age 7 and my tonsils at 17. I wish my parents did it together. I don't remember age 7. At 17 the recovery was awful. I also had my eye operated on 2 months ago and that was a tough recovery. As a kid, you rebound fast. tell him your friend is a big wuss now but when I was his age, it was not bad. I got all the tv I wanted, lots of ice cream and milkshakes and I didn't have to clean my room or do chores. I guarantee he will laugh.

(hugs). He will be ok! keep us posted too.

[ChiGal]

Awww, he will do great!! ((hugs)) Keep us posted on how things go!!