Yesterday morning, LP's catheter came out. The tubing cracked, which allowed air out, which then deflated the little balloon in his bladder that holds it in place. When we spoke the the Nephrologist on call in the morning, she had agreed that perhaps we could just leave it out until his surgery; so that he could start school without a bag o'pee accompanying him.
After this conversation, we went out to lunch, ran some errands and came home to a message saying that the Head of Nephrology had overruled her and that we were to report to the ER at Childrens Hospital to have the catheter replaced. So, after letting Little Pom go to the pool for the first time all summer, off we went. The original plan was for him to be fully sedated, as usual. But because we had eaten lunch (BEFORE being told it would need to be replaced) that wasn't possible. LP was very, very scared and very, very brave...but he let them put the new cath in without fighting or struggling...and without any anesthetic other than some topical lidocaine!
Afterwards, he was still really angry and frustrated about having to endure this process without sedation. So, in an effort to distract him, I discovered a new parenting technique:
I told him that sometimes we feel really BIG feelings. And those feelings require really BIG words. So, if it would make him feel better, he could (behind closed doors and with only Daddy, DQ and myself present) pick exactly *one* "grown-up" word to say. O-M-G! The tears stopped immediately, his little face lit up and he said "I've always wanted to say this one: shit!"
And with one magical S Word, the tears were gone and the trauma giggled away. Not something I'd recommend in every day life, but when (not if) these scary, painful and control-taking-away things have to happen, it's nice to know that there's a "naughty" way I can cheer him up that DOESN'T involve a trip to Toys R Us.
3 comments:
OMW! This is such a wonderful post. It's wonderful because it speaks volumes about the kind of parents you are and the kind of awesome kids you are raising.
I know I've said it before, but I don't think it can be reiterated enough. Despite being on the other side of the world and not knowing you at all, you are each in my prayers and thoughts always.
Ya know what, I think he's earned that "s" word after going though some stuff that's very scary for even grown ups to think about. Sometimes we let go of the "perfect" ideal when we deal with our realities and really, you guys have been through a ton lately. Giggles are better than tears and if those giggles are less than "proper" so what, little boys have big feelings too.
Keeping you all in my thoughts.
Brilliant! He is so very brave and a four letter word once in a while is something he truly deserves after all he's been through.
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