Operations and asthma

[Moos_mumma]

My little girl is in need of an operation in the next few weeks and the anxiety of it all is making her asthma bad. She had a routine check today and the nurse thought it very unlikely they will operate with her chest as it is! How can I break this cycle as she really needs this op. She says she’s not worried about it when she obviously is 😟

[strongmouse]

I know that the heat at the moment isn't helping my asthma at all especially with the high pollen levels. Presumably the nurse you saw made sure she is on the right medication for controlling her asthmat? If it isn't urgent then it is important that her breathing is as good as possible.

It can be difficult to know if anxiety about an operation is adding to her asthma but it might not be? Allowing her to talk about how she feels will help her and making sure your worries don't transit me to her, but being matter of fact yourself about it all. You could speak to the Asthma UK nurses?

[Moos_mumma in reply to strongmouse]

Thanks, the heat hasn’t been helping either and unfortunately the operation is urgent 😟 we have to go to hospital at the end of the week so will have to see what happens I guess.

[Hidden in reply to Moos_mumma]

Hi Moos_mumma

Sorry to hear your little girl is feeling anxious, do give our Asthma helpline a call, the nurses have a range of experience so might have some advice and tips. You can reach them on 0300 222 5800 (M-F, 9-5)

Take care,

Dita

[ChrissieMons]

You might try recording one of those programmes about sick children - I know this sounds weird, but if she sees children going in for operations and coming out smiling, it might reassure her. If she's not been in hospital before, perhaps taking her to the ward (with the ward Sister's permission of course) to see other children might help as well. Fear of the unknown is hard to conquer, so if she sees it's going to be ok, that might help. I don't know: it's just a suggestion.

[Moos_mumma in reply to ChrissieMons]

Thank u, I somehow missed ur reply. We have been to the ward and had a look round and this def helped. Her asthma seems to be ok at the moment so fingers crossed it stays that way.