[Stacymom]

I'm posting this here because so many of you have ahd experience with surgeries, hospitals, etc, and can appreciate the desire to balance out natural living with the practicalities of a child with special needs.

Anywho, we are about two weeks away from major surgery for my 5 month old son. He cannot be at all sick, or they will cancel the surgery, and it will likely be months before we can get all 3 surgeons in a room together again. He cannot get sick. I have two older girls, both in school. We are normally quite healthy, and aside from a slight snotty nose, Max has always been really healthy.

I am not a germophobe, quite the opposite in fact, and I think that's one of the reasons we are so healthy. So I'm wavering- do we just keep doing what we're doing and cross our fingers that he doesn't get sick, or do we put everyone on lockdown and not go anywhere or see anyone for the next two weeks? Ds's OT says that we should go on complete lockdown, and even have the girls change clothes whent hey get home from school. I'm inclined to do lots of hand sanitizer, keep him away from larger crowds and call it a happy day. Thoughts?

 

[supervee]

You could have them shower/bathe as soon as they get home and change clothes. My concern with my oldest being in school is, he might have picked up a germ inside his nose at school, and you can't wash that out. I think I'd go on lockdown, or can your other kiddos go stay with grandma (or someone) for 2 weeks? Maybe take Airborne? We use that, too. Also wash hands often and don't let them touch their faces.

You're lucky it's almost past virus season, though. That makes it easier.

Ugh, I know what it's like to go from germ-friendly to germ-phone. Good luck with the surgery!

 

[minmoto2]

My 6mo ds has had 6 surgeries since birth, anywhere from 3-6 weeks apart. My oldest is in school & my 10yo dd is hs, but lots of playgroups, art classes & such. We just do lots of handwashing & stay away from the baby when they have the sniffles. It isn't good for my lo to get sick even if he's not having a surgery because he is susceptible to pneumonia. So far, that hasn't been an issue. (knock on wood)
If you feel more comfortable going on lock down, do it mama! But otherwise, I would say go w/what you do...lots of handwashing...maybe less kissing on the baby from the olders...as hard as that may be.

 

[AuntG]

We didn't get much notice before my DD's surgery (open heart repair) but afterwards we went into lockdown for about three weeks. We did that stuff you mentioned... I had the older kid change clothes as soon as they got home and wash up. Everyone entering the house got gelled. And I mean, totally wet with the stuff and then had to stand there a full two minutes while it dried before they could move. I wanted people to visit her, but they had to go through this routine, especially if they were going to pick her up. I sanitized daily -- doorknobs, lightswitches, etc. Lysol-ed too. That included toys. And as I slowly let up on that (I dont do any of that anymore) we still pretty much stayed hermits the rest of the winter. It's the only period in my life I've ever had a clean house.

 

[AuntG]

Hey, aren't you the one that was asking about banking blood? If so, was that possible, were you able to do that?

 

[julesinottawa]

I'm glad you posted this! We're in the same boat. My littlest one (9mos) was supposed to have open heart surgery on Tuesday and it's just been delayed until May 5th (hospital bump, not because he's sick). We've been on voluntary quarantine for a few weeks now and it's tough. I have two in school and one of them came home with a cold last week and I have been frantically trying to keep the baby away from her. We have stopped all social engagements and are just going to appointments and necessary stuff. I really like the idea of having the older kids change clothes when they get home, I think we'll start doing that. I wish you luck with whichever you choose and I hope the surgery goes well!

 

[sbgrace]

I'd lay low personally. It's only two weeks and given the serious consequences of what would otherwise be a simple virus I'd be cautious. I certainly wouldn't take him to therapies. Not worth the risk IMO of him mouthing a toy a kid with a cold had or whatever. There's a lot of viral stuff going around here anyway right now.

 

[Stacymom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuntG Hey, aren't you the one that was asking about banking blood? If so, was that possible, were you able to do that?

That was me- you have a good memory!

We looked into donor directed blood, but were counseled against it numerous times. Its kind of a long story, but what it came downt o was that there was a lot of extra time and money involved and some risks. They mentioned the risk of graft vs host disease and some others, and once I did some research about that, I decided it really wasn't worth the risk and the hassle. What we're hoping is that he may not even need blood- they use a cell saver during the surgery, and about 50% need additonal blood.

Honestly, it seemed like a little thing with all the big things we're facing. And once I read up on all the precautions they take with donated blood, I felt better.

 

[AuntG]

Ok, I didn't know all that about the blood. Good to know, thanks!

 

[Lkg4dmcrc]

My son has had two major surgeries on his intestines and both times he had a cold and both times they still operated. I think they worry about getting other kids sick and about anesthesia/intubation for someone who is sick.

 

[pixiekisses]

I would do the lockdown. We have a few times too, and it's worth it.

 

[momtoalexsarah]

Prior to Megans big surgury in January we did lock down for the 2 weeks prior, no play groups, no daycare, no extra visitors.