Another update re: my parents

[kcd0531]

The surgery date has been set. Next Tuesday, Dec. 4th.

Now I'm facing the reality of the most immediate hurdle: how do I tell L? She is VERY close to her Nana and Papa. Trying to decide exactly what to tell her, how much to tell her, etc.

Plus, school? No school? I'm leaning towards sending her to school that day and have K bring her up afterwards to visit them. By that time, surgery should be done and anethesia worn off. Not sure what the right thing to do is. And then there is EJ; he is still EBF (I can pump and there is BM in the fridge and freezer at home) but babies in hospitals makes me feel icky. And probably isn't encouraged and may even be prohibited; one of the things I will be finding out shortly.

Advice? Thoughts? T&Ps whatever which way would be appreciated.

[G22]

Take this with a grain of salt, as I don't have kids yet. But sending her to school probably would help distract her for the day. It might be a good thing. If your iffy about taking the baby to the hospital, is there someone who could watch him for you?

Either way, I'm sending prayers your way! Keep us updated on him!

[meltoine]

I would definitely send L to school. Tell her teacher what's going on and let her know that she can call you if L is having a hard time, but I think the distraction will be good.

How often does EJ nurse? I would not bring him to the hospital if you can avoid it. It's probably not prohibited, at least in the waiting room, but it may be easier for you if you know he is in good hands and you can focus on what you need to do.

::hugs::

[kcd0531]

Nov 29, 2012 9:10:44 GMT -5 G22 said:

Take this with a grain of salt, as I don't have kids yet. But sending her to school probably would help distract her for the day. It might be a good thing. If your iffy about taking the baby to the hospital, is there someone who could watch him for you?

Either way, I'm sending prayers your way! Keep us updated on him!

I get it, trust me. I'm leaning towards sending her to school that day simply to help her stick with routine. She is OCD and ADHD and does not deal with changes to her schedule well—even at 9 y.o.; which is why I'm especially leaning towards sending her to school. I had emailed her guidance counselor a couple weeks ago to give her a heads up. Time to follow up and let her know we have a date.

K is taking off from work Tues. so that he can watch EJ.

The only "sucky" part kind of is that the hospital is 2 hrs. away from home. so trying to figure out the schematics of how to work that part.

[iluvmytxrgr]

I agree with sending L to school and letting the teacher know what's going on. Keeping busy and having class to distract her will be a good thing. I would not take the baby to the hospital. There are way too many germs around and he probably won't be allowed in there anyway. I would bring the pump with me. I don't know about that hospital but the three here have private areas where you can go.

[kcd0531]

Nov 29, 2012 9:21:24 GMT -5 meltoine said:

I would definitely send L to school. Tell her teacher what's going on and let her know that she can call you if L is having a hard time, but I think the distraction will be good.

How often does EJ nurse? I would not bring him to the hospital if you can avoid it. It's probably not prohibited, at least in the waiting room, but it may be easier for you if you know he is in good hands and you can focus on what you need to do.

::hugs::

Gave her guidance counselor a heads-up a couple weeks ago, will be following up shortly. Will also email her teacher soon.

On the weekends when I'm home (I work FT M-F 8-5), he nurses about 2.5-3.5 hrs. During the workweek, he takes 3 bottles during the time I'm gone. Plus solids. He stills wakes up occasionally during the night to be nursed but has recently begun to really truly sleep through the night (which makes for some very "fun" and full mornings.) K will be able to keep him at home with him so I know he'll be in very capable hands.

[kcd0531]

Nov 29, 2012 9:30:24 GMT -5 iluvmytxrgr said:

I agree with sending L to school and letting the teacher know what's going on. Keeping busy and having class to distract her will be a good thing. I would not take the baby to the hospital. There are way too many germs around and he probably won't be allowed in there anyway. I would bring the pump with me. I don't know about that hospital but the three here have private areas where you can go.

Will probably have L go to school. K will be home and available should he receive a call.

Will have to be sure to contact the hospital and ask about private areas. Its a pretty major hospital and one would hope that they have these kinds of accommodations available. Thanks for the idea!

[prettyinpink]

No advise but sending lots of thoughts and prayers.

[brandienee]

I have nothing else to add, but sending you a lot of thoughts and prayers.

[baconlettucetomato]

I have no advice but tons of prayers for you guys!

[kmmssg]

Sending many good thoughts and prayers to your parents as well as you and your family. I agree that sending L to school is a very good idea. I do wonder if it would be better to take her to see them the day after surgery rather than that evening. It gives a little more time to make sure their pain control is well managed and they would probably be a bit more "up" to seeing her the day following surgery.

I think of your father and your posts often and hope to see updates. I will have you all in my prayers.

[kcd0531]

kmmssg - The game plan now is just to bring the kids up to the city that evening. Visitation will be held off until Wednesday to ensure pain management. Still trying to wrap my head around the fact that this is happening TOMORROW. I can't even begin to imagine how my parents must be feeling.

Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers. Telling L about what is going on went as well as can be expected and I kept it as simple as possible—at 9 she doesn't need to know all the details but I will answer any and all questions that she poses as simply and honestly as possible.

[crimewatcher]

Praying for you guys today!

[prettyinpink]

Praying for you guys today!

[baconlettucetomato]

Prayers for you guys today !!!

[pennylane]

Thinking of you.

[kcd0531]

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. The surgery was a success and the transplanted kidney is doing what it needs to do. My dad is in excellent spirits and great humor, cracking jokes about getting home and eating lobster tails.

Mom on the other hand, is really struggling post-op, the drugs are making her feel extremely nauseous and is having trouble keeping the pain level in check. It was something of a blessing when I found out tonight that she had managed to be able to go use the toilet. Progress! It was shocking to visit her yesterday afternoon post surgery; she truly looked like death warmed over. So glad I didn't take L to see her until this morning.

I also found out tonight that dad actually managed to WALK down to my mom's room to see her. It's truly amazing the differences that people can have physically.

Mom won't be coming home tomorrow as planned, probably Friday now, but dad definitely looks to be on track for coming home on Sunday.

The stress apparently was a bit much for my sister (who is 7 mos. pregnant) as I got called over to her room last night about 9pm as she was spotting and have BH. When the spotting turned bright red, I pushed her out the door with her husband to the ER to get checked out and stayed behind with their sleeping daughter. The BH turned into small contractions and fortunately, the fluids the hospital gave her brought that to a stop and she was feeling much better this morning. She rested quite a bit today at the hotel and is doing better by the hour.

Wish that I could go back to see them again tomorrow but I don't have enough leave time from work to be able to do that. Am grateful that when I'm needed to stay with my parents when they do come home that my work is letting me remote in.

My brain is a fried right now so I apologize if I'm all over the place. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers.

[brandienee]

Wow. KCD, I just want to say that you are amazing to be so strong for your family like you're doing.

I am so glad that your dad is doing better, I hope that your mom makes a full recovery soon.

Still sending you my prayers.

[baconlettucetomato]

I got all teary. I'm glad the surgery went well, I've heard that transplants can often be harder on the donor. I hope they're both able to be up on their feet soon!

[crimewatcher]

Glad everyone is on the mend! I'll keep the prayers coming!

[kmmssg]

I am so glad to see everything was such a success. I am truly happy for you and your family and wish everyone (especially mom) a quick recovery. What a wonderful Christmas gift for all of you.

[pennylane]

What great news that surgery was successful. I hope they have a quick recovery!