Comments on: Anaesthesia for my 4 year-old son? http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/ Living Life. Running a Startup. Loving Technology. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:03:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: belinda.za.net » Kids & Hospitals … http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-883 belinda.za.net » Kids & Hospitals … Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:45:04 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-883 [...] back at the night I was sitting here, typing a message for Justin on  his post of his son that’s going into hospital, I was trying to think of all the [...] [...] back at the night I was sitting here, typing a message for Justin on  his post of his son that’s going into hospital, I was trying to think of all the [...]

]]> By:   Making a grown man cry by Justin Hartman http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-773   Making a grown man cry by Justin Hartman Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:19:39 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-773 [...] morning Luke had his operation and thank God, all went well. I was dead scared about this operation but thanks to some great [...] [...] morning Luke had his operation and thank God, all went well. I was dead scared about this operation but thanks to some great [...]

]]> By: Justin Hartman http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-2851 Justin Hartman Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:16:28 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-2851 Tertia, Eve, Belinda and Darren. You guys rock! Seriously, all your advice has helped me tremendously and I really really appreciate you guys taking the time to reply.<br><br>I guess the overall consensus here is that while it is a very scary thing for parents to go through there generally appear to be no major concerns. It is down to the professionals so I'll put my trust in them... reluctantly :) Tertia, Eve, Belinda and Darren. You guys rock! Seriously, all your advice has helped me tremendously and I really really appreciate you guys taking the time to reply.

I guess the overall consensus here is that while it is a very scary thing for parents to go through there generally appear to be no major concerns. It is down to the professionals so I'll put my trust in them… reluctantly :)

]]> By: Darren http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-2850 Darren Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:11:55 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-2850 Hi Justin. <br>I see you already have tons of advice here, but I'll add my 2 cents anyway. My son went for grommets at about 2 and then for tonsils out at 3 or 4 - both times were quite scary even though these are "routine". He's now 5 and happy and healthy. You said it perfectly yourself - just need faith to carry you through, I know that's all that got me through it [yeah - losing control - funny how just the thought of it takes such a toll]. We'll pray for you and your family! Hi Justin.
I see you already have tons of advice here, but I'll add my 2 cents anyway. My son went for grommets at about 2 and then for tonsils out at 3 or 4 – both times were quite scary even though these are “routine”. He's now 5 and happy and healthy. You said it perfectly yourself – just need faith to carry you through, I know that's all that got me through it [yeah - losing control - funny how just the thought of it takes such a toll]. We'll pray for you and your family!

]]> By: Eve http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-2849 Eve Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:37:23 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-2849 Hi Justin, <br><br>My daughter had about 30 hours of anesthesia before she turned 3, and I was petrified. One of the complications can be the loss of short term memory, which I thought was a horrific consequence. Luckily, even after all that anesthesia, she is completely fine and there are no side effects what so ever. <br><br>However, I am very weary of putting her through any further procedure that requires anesthesia, unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. Earlier this year I caused huge havoc at the hospital where I refused consent for anesthesia, because I felt the options of a sedative were not explored enough. As it happened, a sedative turned out to be more than adequate. So my advice to you is this: 1) Anesthesia for young kids is something they can overcome easily 2) Follow your gut. Hi Justin,

My daughter had about 30 hours of anesthesia before she turned 3, and I was petrified. One of the complications can be the loss of short term memory, which I thought was a horrific consequence. Luckily, even after all that anesthesia, she is completely fine and there are no side effects what so ever.

However, I am very weary of putting her through any further procedure that requires anesthesia, unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. Earlier this year I caused huge havoc at the hospital where I refused consent for anesthesia, because I felt the options of a sedative were not explored enough. As it happened, a sedative turned out to be more than adequate. So my advice to you is this: 1) Anesthesia for young kids is something they can overcome easily 2) Follow your gut.

]]> By: Justin Hartman http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-767 Justin Hartman Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:16:28 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-767 Tertia, Eve, Belinda and Darren. You guys rock! Seriously, all your advice has helped me tremendously and I really really appreciate you guys taking the time to reply. I guess the overall consensus here is that while it is a very scary thing for parents to go through there generally appear to be no major concerns. It is down to the professionals so I'll put my trust in them... reluctantly :) Tertia, Eve, Belinda and Darren. You guys rock! Seriously, all your advice has helped me tremendously and I really really appreciate you guys taking the time to reply.

I guess the overall consensus here is that while it is a very scary thing for parents to go through there generally appear to be no major concerns. It is down to the professionals so I’ll put my trust in them… reluctantly :)

]]> By: Darren http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-766 Darren Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:11:55 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-766 Hi Justin. I see you already have tons of advice here, but I'll add my 2 cents anyway. My son went for grommets at about 2 and then for tonsils out at 3 or 4 - both times were quite scary even though these are "routine". He's now 5 and happy and healthy. You said it perfectly yourself - just need faith to carry you through, I know that's all that got me through it [yeah - losing control - funny how just the thought of it takes such a toll]. We'll pray for you and your family! Hi Justin.
I see you already have tons of advice here, but I’ll add my 2 cents anyway. My son went for grommets at about 2 and then for tonsils out at 3 or 4 – both times were quite scary even though these are “routine”. He’s now 5 and happy and healthy. You said it perfectly yourself – just need faith to carry you through, I know that’s all that got me through it [yeah - losing control - funny how just the thought of it takes such a toll]. We’ll pray for you and your family!

]]> By: Eve http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-764 Eve Tue, 23 Oct 2007 06:37:23 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-764 Hi Justin, My daughter had about 30 hours of anesthesia before she turned 3, and I was petrified. One of the complications can be the loss of short term memory, which I thought was a horrific consequence. Luckily, even after all that anesthesia, she is completely fine and there are no side effects what so ever. However, I am very weary of putting her through any further procedure that requires anesthesia, unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. Earlier this year I caused huge havoc at the hospital where I refused consent for anesthesia, because I felt the options of a sedative were not explored enough. As it happened, a sedative turned out to be more than adequate. So my advice to you is this: 1) Anesthesia for young kids is something they can overcome easily 2) Follow your gut. Hi Justin,

My daughter had about 30 hours of anesthesia before she turned 3, and I was petrified. One of the complications can be the loss of short term memory, which I thought was a horrific consequence. Luckily, even after all that anesthesia, she is completely fine and there are no side effects what so ever.

However, I am very weary of putting her through any further procedure that requires anesthesia, unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. Earlier this year I caused huge havoc at the hospital where I refused consent for anesthesia, because I felt the options of a sedative were not explored enough. As it happened, a sedative turned out to be more than adequate. So my advice to you is this: 1) Anesthesia for young kids is something they can overcome easily 2) Follow your gut.

]]> By: Belinda http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-2848 Belinda Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:35:46 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-2848 Hi Justin, my heart bleeds for you and your wife. One correction though - Ian was 8 months when he had his grommets put in (thanks Stii for noticing that ...) Taking him into the ops room was quite a scary experience (please I don't want to scare you, but rather prepare you). Ian had to sit on my lap whilst they were giving him anesthesia. They didn't use a mask, only held the little pipe that's blowing out the anesthesia in front of his nose/mouth area. Of course I felt like I on a high after a while. The worst feeling was the moment that you have to hand over that little body, your most precious possession ever, into the hands of a person you don't really know. And all these awful thoughts come rushing through your mind. But everything worked out very well and when he woke up, he was very grumpy - cried a bit, but the moment he got hold of his dummy and "doek", he was fine and fell asleep again. The doctors know exactly what they're doing and would not put your child's life in danger. It does ease one's mind thinking that a professional anesthetist will be doing the most dangerous part of the job, and they know exactly what they are doing, and especially with kids - they are so much more carefull. All I can say is have faith in the people around you, the doctors and God. Good luck and let us know how everything worked out. We will be thinking of you 3. Hi Justin, my heart bleeds for you and your wife. One correction though – Ian was 8 months when he had his grommets put in (thanks Stii for noticing that …) Taking him into the ops room was quite a scary experience (please I don't want to scare you, but rather prepare you). Ian had to sit on my lap whilst they were giving him anesthesia. They didn't use a mask, only held the little pipe that's blowing out the anesthesia in front of his nose/mouth area. Of course I felt like I on a high after a while. The worst feeling was the moment that you have to hand over that little body, your most precious possession ever, into the hands of a person you don't really know. And all these awful thoughts come rushing through your mind. But everything worked out very well and when he woke up, he was very grumpy – cried a bit, but the moment he got hold of his dummy and “doek”, he was fine and fell asleep again. The doctors know exactly what they're doing and would not put your child's life in danger. It does ease one's mind thinking that a professional anesthetist will be doing the most dangerous part of the job, and they know exactly what they are doing, and especially with kids – they are so much more carefull. All I can say is have faith in the people around you, the doctors and God. Good luck and let us know how everything worked out. We will be thinking of you 3.

]]> By: Tertia http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-2847 Tertia Tue, 23 Oct 2007 01:12:49 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-2847 Ooh, I feel for you. It is a very, very scary for a parent. I was absolutely finished when Adam had his tonsils out. The actual procedure is fine, but it is just such a mind f*ck for the parents.<br><br>Just a word of warning, when they come round from the anesthetic, they go a little crazy for a while. They scream hysterically, and seem not to know where they are or what is going on. They are disorientated and freak out a little, but they calm down after a while and then they are fine. Your son might not do this, but be warned that it might happen, and if it does, dont worry, they calm down after a while (few mins) and might even fall asleep again.<br> <br>Good luck. Being a parent is like wearing your heart on the outside.<br><br>xx Ooh, I feel for you. It is a very, very scary for a parent. I was absolutely finished when Adam had his tonsils out. The actual procedure is fine, but it is just such a mind f*ck for the parents.

Just a word of warning, when they come round from the anesthetic, they go a little crazy for a while. They scream hysterically, and seem not to know where they are or what is going on. They are disorientated and freak out a little, but they calm down after a while and then they are fine. Your son might not do this, but be warned that it might happen, and if it does, dont worry, they calm down after a while (few mins) and might even fall asleep again.

Good luck. Being a parent is like wearing your heart on the outside.

xx

]]> By: Belinda http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-757 Belinda Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:35:46 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-757 Hi Justin, my heart bleeds for you and your wife. One correction though - Ian was 8 months when he had his grommets put in (thanks Stii for noticing that ...) Taking him into the ops room was quite a scary experience (please I don't want to scare you, but rather prepare you). Ian had to sit on my lap whilst they were giving him anesthesia. They didn't use a mask, only held the little pipe that's blowing out the anesthesia in front of his nose/mouth area. Of course I felt like I on a high after a while. The worst feeling was the moment that you have to hand over that little body, your most precious possession ever, into the hands of a person you don't really know. And all these awful thoughts come rushing through your mind. But everything worked out very well and when he woke up, he was very grumpy - cried a bit, but the moment he got hold of his dummy and "doek", he was fine and fell asleep again. The doctors know exactly what they're doing and would not put your child's life in danger. It does ease one's mind thinking that a professional anesthetist will be doing the most dangerous part of the job, and they know exactly what they are doing, and especially with kids - they are so much more carefull. All I can say is have faith in the people around you, the doctors and God. Good luck and let us know how everything worked out. We will be thinking of you 3. Hi Justin, my heart bleeds for you and your wife. One correction though – Ian was 8 months when he had his grommets put in (thanks Stii for noticing that …) Taking him into the ops room was quite a scary experience (please I don’t want to scare you, but rather prepare you). Ian had to sit on my lap whilst they were giving him anesthesia. They didn’t use a mask, only held the little pipe that’s blowing out the anesthesia in front of his nose/mouth area. Of course I felt like I on a high after a while. The worst feeling was the moment that you have to hand over that little body, your most precious possession ever, into the hands of a person you don’t really know. And all these awful thoughts come rushing through your mind. But everything worked out very well and when he woke up, he was very grumpy – cried a bit, but the moment he got hold of his dummy and “doek”, he was fine and fell asleep again. The doctors know exactly what they’re doing and would not put your child’s life in danger. It does ease one’s mind thinking that a professional anesthetist will be doing the most dangerous part of the job, and they know exactly what they are doing, and especially with kids – they are so much more carefull. All I can say is have faith in the people around you, the doctors and God. Good luck and let us know how everything worked out. We will be thinking of you 3.

]]> By: Justin Hartman http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-2846 Justin Hartman Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:09:12 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-2846 Thanks Marc, you've certainly helped me with how to handle this with Luke directly. Hopefully I too will get a wiff :P Thanks Marc, you've certainly helped me with how to handle this with Luke directly. Hopefully I too will get a wiff :P

]]> By: Marc http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-2845 Marc Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:52:54 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-2845 We had to take our 2 and half year old in the other day for a small op that required Anesthesia. It went 100% and we were a bit worried before hand, but the doctors were great and reassured us otherwise. We prepped her for it, and told her that she was going to be blowing up a balloon, which is what they have attached to the mask. When she woke up we were there, and gave her a balloon which we had bought from the gift shop. She was great when they were giving here the Anaesetic. I held her on my lap for a few minutes and I even got a wiff or 2 :)<br>It is a tough choice to make, but these guys do this on a daily basis. <br>Good luck, and let us know how it goes ;) We had to take our 2 and half year old in the other day for a small op that required Anesthesia. It went 100% and we were a bit worried before hand, but the doctors were great and reassured us otherwise. We prepped her for it, and told her that she was going to be blowing up a balloon, which is what they have attached to the mask. When she woke up we were there, and gave her a balloon which we had bought from the gift shop. She was great when they were giving here the Anaesetic. I held her on my lap for a few minutes and I even got a wiff or 2 :)
It is a tough choice to make, but these guys do this on a daily basis.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes ;)

]]> By: Justin Hartman http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-2844 Justin Hartman Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:50:47 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-2844 Thanks Stii and Ian. I guess a little faith is needed here and it's good to hear from you guys that all went well :) Thanks Stii and Ian. I guess a little faith is needed here and it's good to hear from you guys that all went well :)

]]> By: Ian http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-2843 Ian Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:41:30 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-2843 I wouldn't worry to much about it. I have had over 20 operations already and i'm fine. I had around 7 before i was 5 and the only side affect I had was nausea which was and still remains a bad after affect.<br><br>Good luck, i'm sure he will be fine though - anesthetist's are very thorough in their pre-op exams and they wont sedate if they are concerned about something. I wouldn't worry to much about it. I have had over 20 operations already and i'm fine. I had around 7 before i was 5 and the only side affect I had was nausea which was and still remains a bad after affect.

Good luck, i'm sure he will be fine though – anesthetist's are very thorough in their pre-op exams and they wont sedate if they are concerned about something.

]]> By: Stii http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-2842 Stii Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:38:36 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-2842 Yeah man its a tough issue. I know exactly how you feel as Ian was about 4 when he had to get grommets. He came through it without any side effects and today we're happy we did it as he would have stayed sick and in pain constantly if we had not done it. Sometimes you just have to do what you think is best and hope and trust all will be okay. I cannot tell you nothing will go wrong, but there is on the flip side also no guarantees that something will go wrong. Yeah man its a tough issue. I know exactly how you feel as Ian was about 4 when he had to get grommets. He came through it without any side effects and today we're happy we did it as he would have stayed sick and in pain constantly if we had not done it. Sometimes you just have to do what you think is best and hope and trust all will be okay. I cannot tell you nothing will go wrong, but there is on the flip side also no guarantees that something will go wrong.

]]> By: Nic http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-2841 Nic Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:28:40 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-2841 Ye, it's a killer that cost. All I can do is speak from my "experience" and as far as I have been told I have made it out OK!! :) Ye, it's a killer that cost. All I can do is speak from my “experience” and as far as I have been told I have made it out OK!! :)

]]> By: Justin Hartman http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-2840 Justin Hartman Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:22:37 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-2840 Thanks for your response Nic and for what it's worth it does help me. I guess the issue here is letting go of control and when it comes to my son's safety this is difficult for me to do.<br><br>I haven't been for a second opinion because of cost... I already need to pay in like R2500 because medical aid don't cover all of it. Thanks for your response Nic and for what it's worth it does help me. I guess the issue here is letting go of control and when it comes to my son's safety this is difficult for me to do.

I haven't been for a second opinion because of cost… I already need to pay in like R2500 because medical aid don't cover all of it.

]]> By: Nic http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-2839 Nic Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:19:18 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-2839 I can't give you much advice as I am not a parent but I can tell you that I went under a few times before I was 5. Relatively (hehehe) I am perfectly fine although some may argue otherwise. <br><br>Had my tonsils removed at 3 and about 3 other surgeries and all went off without a hitch. <br><br>So I think that as warrented as your concern is, things will generally work out perfectly. If the doctors involved thought it would be a problem they would never suggest the surgery. <br><br>Have you been for a second opinion? I can't give you much advice as I am not a parent but I can tell you that I went under a few times before I was 5. Relatively (hehehe) I am perfectly fine although some may argue otherwise.

Had my tonsils removed at 3 and about 3 other surgeries and all went off without a hitch.

So I think that as warrented as your concern is, things will generally work out perfectly. If the doctors involved thought it would be a problem they would never suggest the surgery.

Have you been for a second opinion?

]]> By: Tertia http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/comment-page-1/#comment-756 Tertia Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:12:49 +0000 http://justinhartman.com/2007/10/22/anaesthesia-for-my-4-year-old-son/#comment-756 Ooh, I feel for you. It is a very, very scary for a parent. I was absolutely finished when Adam had his tonsils out. The actual procedure is fine, but it is just such a mind f*ck for the parents. Just a word of warning, when they come round from the anesthetic, they go a little crazy for a while. They scream hysterically, and seem not to know where they are or what is going on. They are disorientated and freak out a little, but they calm down after a while and then they are fine. Your son might not do this, but be warned that it might happen, and if it does, dont worry, they calm down after a while (few mins) and might even fall asleep again. Good luck. Being a parent is like wearing your heart on the outside. xx Ooh, I feel for you. It is a very, very scary for a parent. I was absolutely finished when Adam had his tonsils out. The actual procedure is fine, but it is just such a mind f*ck for the parents.

Just a word of warning, when they come round from the anesthetic, they go a little crazy for a while. They scream hysterically, and seem not to know where they are or what is going on. They are disorientated and freak out a little, but they calm down after a while and then they are fine. Your son might not do this, but be warned that it might happen, and if it does, dont worry, they calm down after a while (few mins) and might even fall asleep again.

Good luck. Being a parent is like wearing your heart on the outside.

xx

]]>