New Sagittal Mom....please help with any advice....Surgery May 22!

[meganr]

Hi everyone my name is Megan. My 5 month old lil man, Zander, will be going in for surgery on May 22. We live in Missouri so he will be in Children's hospital in St. louis. Im very Nervous and could use any input or advise that anybody could share. Im needing to know what would be helpful to pack for him and what advise is good for after surgery and after we come home. As well as what to expect all together. This has all happened so fast and has left me a 3 week time span to try and sort it out and im having a hard time with it. i can't actually believe that my baby will have to have surgery. We also have a 2 and a half year old big brother that loves to "play" and "help" mommy with his baby brother. So im sure my hands will be full. Any advise or comments will be greatly appriciated!!! Thanks!

[Enarismom]

Hi Megan, I'm sorry your son is going to have surgery. The days leading up to it are hard. My son is 2 1/2 weeks post op for sagittal cranio. I was so afraid of how hard it was going to be on him. I kept reading how everyones children did so well but I still thought it would be worse than it really was. I packed several outfits but my son only wore a diaper until the day we were discharged. It was just easier that way. He threw up about 5 times the first night, so I'm glad he wasn't wearing any clothes. Also while he was connected to all the monitors, it was easier to be in just a diaper. A blanket and pillow is a must. Some toys to keep him distracted. Any types of food he eats. My son is a bit older so I made him a photo album of all his favorite people and things back home and he really loved that. Bring a jacket for yourself and some extra clothes and toiletries of course. Something to do, a book/magazine, phone, laptop, snacks. I thought I was not bringing much but it ended up being more than I even needed. We were in the hospital for 2 nights and 2 1/2 days. I know its hard but I tried not to spend to much time stressing about everything, it will all work out and be over before you know it! I hope this helps. Best of luck with the surgery.

[Sophia's_mom]

Hi Megan and welcome to CK. I'm so sorry Zander is going to have to have surgery, but you do have a wonderful team in your corner. I'm a MO mom also and we used St. Louis Children's for my daughters surgery a little over 3 years ago. They are a wonderful facility and a great team. We still follow up with Dr. Kane and love his wonderful bedside manner.

There is a list of helpful items to bring to the hospital here: http://www.craniokids.org/support/fo...ng-to-hospital. And what I wish I would have known here: http://www.craniokids.org/support/sh...before-surgery. These are very helpful to prepare.

In our experiance we really didn't need to bring much with us, but we also went the Endo route and only had one night in the hospital. Most kiddos stay in a diaper the whole time. Diapers, wipes, formula are all provided by the hospital. We brought things that would comfort Sophie like a favorite blanket, soft toys, etc. The most important thing to remember is that he will bounce back very quickly. It's so hard to believe from where you are now, but in a day or two post op he'll be smiling and trying to play just like normal.

If you need anything, or just want to chat feel free to send me a PM. I'll be happy to help in any way I can.

[jjmc123]

[TreeGazer]

Hi there. I am a metopic mom whose daughter had surgery 2 months ago at 6 1/2 months. I really found the links that were referenced above to be helpful. I also reached out to a couple of moms who had the same surgeon/hospital that we used so I could ask what to expect. It was really difficult, but your little guy will do great (and you will too)!

[*Jessica*]

Welcome to CK! I am sorry you are on this ride with us, but no one here rides alone! Hang in there and you really have come to a great place for advice and support! Hugs!

[AJ's Mommy]

Welcome to Cranio Kids!!!

[Kawatson09]

Hi Megan! We are also in Missouri and my 2 year old had surgery to correct her metopic ridge at st Louis. I'm assuming dr woo is doing the surgery? I would bring anything that is comforting to her. Snacks for yourself. Things to keep you occupied. I'm 2 hours south of st Louis but if you need someone to talk to please let me know.

[kansasmom]

Hi, Megan--Welcome! This site is a great resource and support system. My 4 month old had endoscopic procedure for sagittal in KC on April 17th of this year. She is doing great--about a month into helmet therapy. She also has a 2 and a half year old brother (who is quite a ball of energy). Like some of the other mom's, I didn't really need much in the hospital (but we were only there one night in PICU) They tend to take pretty good care of you. Feel free to message me with any questions you have.

[BabyGabey]

Welcome to CK!! Everything is such a whirlwind when it happens so quickly but the less time to wait and worry the better!! Zander will do amazing with surgery just try and hang in there until then. Bring whatever makes the little man feel at home.... We brought his sound machine since he slept with it every night at home but honestly looking back i was most thankful for having... SNACKS,socks, my OWN pillow and my IPAD (mostly to update his caringbridge site and check in on Ck). Will be thinking of you next week!! xoxo