The Mom's from CiCircle have been so incredible with their advice and suggestions on how to prepare for Monday.
Here's what we're doing to get ready for Monday:
-Heading over to Gymboree to find some shirts that button up. We need to make sure we can dress him after surgery without pulling something over his head. The little one's get all bandaged up and his noggin is going to be swollen.
-Packing a little day bag, for all of us. I'm planning on bringing some extra toys and clothes for the monkey, and also bringing some extra clothes for Chuck and I...just in case.
-Hiding all of our hats in the house. Christian is OBSESSED with any hat he can get his hands on. We definitely don't want him putting anything on his head with his bandages, so they are all going into a bin in the laundry room...for now.
-Heading over to PR at Partners in Chevy Chase to get a hair cut for the little man. I just couldn't bare to think that his first haircut would be by the surgeons. So, our good friend who styles my hair (and Chuck's too) is going to do the ceremonial first cut. Christian doesn't even need a cut, but again...I don't want my memory of his first hair cut to be from this surgery.
-Doing all of our laundry, and just everyday cleaning. I don't know what to expect, so I don't want to have to worry about washing clothes or doing grocery shopping. I just want to be able to focus on Christian. So, it's 80 degrees today, and I'm spending it folding clothes!
-Lots, and lots of praying.
12 comments:
Wow, you are prepared!!!
For your day bag, add tylenol! It's really expensive at the hospital, and if you're anything like me, the stress from the day will leave you with a splitting head ache. I ended up in the hospital gift shop buying tylenol and some chocolate (for caffine).
You might want to stock up on a couple of things for when you get home, too. Children's Tylenol (to help with pain and fever), some bandage tape (in case his starts to slip down in front of his eyes) and plenty of those suction bulbs (for drainage through the nose following surgery).
We're thinking about you guys!
Remember...this surgery will be much harder on you and Chuck than Christian. I didnt believe it until I went through it for the 1st time. I was a ball of nerves..before/during/after surgery...Thomas was fine! By the next morning he was up and playing around...It will amaze you!!!
You will all be in my prayers~
Melissa
I wish I could give you a perspective of how the little guy is going to feel but kids bounce back super quick from these type of surgeries, as opposed to some adults (like me)
How are you nerves today?
Girls, I am a ball of nerves today. Poor Chuck has been on the receiving end of countless number of "snaps". We had a nice relaxing day, but did run some errands.
Thank you for all the good tips---how long should I expect the surgery to last? I've been told that we will be in and out in less than 6 hours. We are just doing one ear for now.
My surgery lasted about 3 hours, but I have heard of them being done in less then an hour though.
You sound like you have everything under control! That is so amazing, considering you had *days* to plan where most have *months*. You are quite the event planner! ;)
We made sure we were as busy as we could be on the weekends before both of Erin's surgeries.
The Saturday before her first surgery (also a Monday), we had 3 other couples and 4 children over for dinner and drinks. It was the perfect distraction for us. The house was full of laughter and friendship that carried us through to Monday. I remember it like it was yesterday! :D
Christian is going to sail through this, and before you know it you'll be on the other side. I can't wait to read your update Monday night.
Make sure your sweet boy knows there are lots and lots of people thinking of him.
OMG!!!! I just saw that it's tomorrow, I've been absent and it's freaking tomorrow!!! Unbelievable, yet somehow, I'm not surprised...much better this way, less time for you to think. I read my first book in Italian for the four hour surgery, thank goodness it was good. Definitely bring the tylenol, and a valium for yourself. He will be fine, it's you I'm worried about...beeeeee cool, I will be thinking of you, blog asap about all of you! And, if you run into a REALLY HOT neurosurgeon named Ira Garonzik, tell him I say hi!!! Hugs and lots of lovin' coming your way!!! Jodi
I think that is so smart that you are getting yourself so organized. How fabulous is it that all of your CI friends could give you some ideas for what to do, especially so that you don't even have to worry about things that you never would have anticipated. It's good that you have something to keep you busy - I know how it is to sit with too much idle time and your thoughts. We're thinking of you guys!!!
Love, Jenny, Steve, and Caroline
One more thing: I'm tagging you again - for two reasons:
1) I wanted more people who I know read my blog to check out yours,
and
2) I thought you could maybe use a few moments today or in the next week or two to think about something mundane and silly.
No rush to post - just wanted to put it out there if you are looking for some distraction. Love you!!!
Sending more thoughts and prayers for you guys (more for mom and dad's nerves, since that is probably the hardest part of all this)!
By this time tomorrow, everything will be done and you can take a nice, deep breath!
It sounds like you are prepared! I just want you to know that I can imagine the emotions you are having tonight, on the eve of Christian's surgery. I've been there. I promise you that it will be harder on you than on C. It is so hard to see your little one all bandaged up, but kids are so resiliant.
Jazzie was pretty uncomfortable when she first came out of surgery, but that night she was walking around like nothing had happened!!! I am sure you have seen many pictures already, but if you would like for me to send you some pictures of Jazzie after surgery, let me know. Not sure if that would be helpful or stress you out more, though. Just let me know.
You, your husband and Christian will be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow.
One other thing - lots of diapers. We were changing Landon almost every hour because of all the fluid they pumped in him during surgery and he was only on pedialyte and formula for the first day (until we knew his tummy was okay.)And if we missed changing him, he soaked through everything.
As far as time, Landon had bilaterals. They took him back at 7:30 and by 11:30 we were in recovery with him. We left around 1:30 - he just wanted to sleep and they needed him to drink some pedialyte first.
Good luck!!
Post a Comment