"Child's routine operation in lock down"

On Christmas Eve I received a call offering my son his operation within a few weeks. I was not expecting this appointment to come through for months and was quite surprise it was going ahead, especially as we are still living with Covid and the restrictions. As the procedure was necessary and would be worse if delayed, I accepted the appointment.

From that stage on, we could not have been in better hands. The pre-operative assessment was undertaken over the phone by Jane, one of the nurses in the ward. As my son has additional needs was followed up by a further call which went into detail about him and what would help with his experience. Jane was very understanding and not at all judgemental. I felt far more confident in taking my son for the procedure. The call was followed up by a postal pack which would allow my son to take a virtual tour and step by step guide of what would happen to him in hospital. He did not want to watch this but I wish that I had insisted. 

My son was given a Covid test 3 days before the operation. This was simple, quick and easy to access. The results were sent to my mobile phone, reassuring me that he was clear and therefore able to turn up for his appointment on the Monday. We followed all of the guidance in the letters received regarding not eating and prepared a bag with books, a DVD and other essentials. As my son is a little fussy when it comes to food and I understood that he would need to eat before going home, I prepared some snacks I knew he would like. I also made sure to take plenty for myself. 

On arrival we were greeted in such a warm and friendly way despite the masks, sanitising and distancing. My son was given his own room, which I think was part of the reasonable adjustments the hospital had made for him due to his additional needs. This was very welcome as it helped to keep him calm. The team had also provided a Lego set for him to build. Such a lovely touch as he went straight into building it and chatting to Jane. Measurements and observations were undertaken. Each team member involved was equally friendly, approachable and were happy to explain what they were doing and talk about subjects that interested my son and kept him calm.

When the surgeon came to assess the area that needed operating on, we discussed if it was an essential procedure. Due to the pre-operation consultations being over the phone, it has not been possible for this to be done in person. There was some discussion about the fact that the condition could improve and that the surgeon would understand if we wanted to wait a year. He assured us that this was not going to be a problem and that it had been known to happen. He said he would give us time and return after he had done his first operation of the day. My son and I had plenty of time to discuss the situation and then we were joined by Jane, who encouraged my son's view to be heard. He was clear that he would go ahead and that is the course we took. It was so good to have assistance in hearing his views and know that they were taken seriously by the team. When the surgeon returned, we let him know that we would go ahead.

Unfortunately when it came to my son going into the room where his aesthetic was to be given, he completely panicked. He would not allow either the mask or the needle near him. The team were calm and patient. They talked to him without pressure or fuss. When it was apparent that he would not comply they moved him back to his room and changed their list. We were then visited again by the nurse and she persuaded him to take a pre-med. She was honest and clear and talked to my son in a direct way. She was also encouraging and supportive. 

The anaesthetists came into my son's room and fitted the device into the back of his hand. He was much more settled with this being done in his room. When they took him into the room which he was to go under in, he became anxious again but went under quickly and I was given reassurance and a time to expect him back. Once in recovery and showing signs of waking, I was called and allowed to sit with him. Again there were two nurses in attendance and they were really pleasant and kind. Once he was fully awake, we returned to his room and he was gently allowed to come around and wake. Many of those involved in his whole procedure came to see how he was doing, his observations were done and the site of the procedure checked.

Once he had eaten and was ready to be discharged, I was given all of the creams and ointments I needed along with instructions both verbally and in writing of how to care for him at home. My son was taken in a wheelchair and assisted into the car at the front of the hospital and we took him home. He was glad to have gone through with the operation with the help of the loving, caring, patent work of a whole team of people who we cannot thank enough.