I just received the surgery info packet. We will see the surgeon on Monday for the pre-surgery prep.
Here are some points from the material:
1. Each child is in a private room with a sofa bed for a parent. That's great because I planned on being with S the whole time if she wants. It is "infrequent" that the child will be in ICU that night. So I will likely be with her that first night also.
2. The usual stay is 5-7 days. The surgeon told us about 5 days. The insurance okayed 5 days.
3. She will go home with some pain meds but can probably manage on OTC meds after they run out.
4. No PT needed at home.
5. Usually the child is able to go back to school 3 weeks after the surgery(!). An absence of 4 weeks is the usual criterion for obtaining homebound school instruction and most patients are back at school by that time. This is in keeping with what the surgeon told us... 3 weeks... but I didn't realize he was counting from the surgery date and not the date when she comes home!
6. One surgeon has NO restrictions on the weight of bad packs if they are carried close to the body (front or back) and both shoulder straps are used. Our surgeon limits it to 10 pounds using both straps.
7. PE to resume one year after surgery. This differs from what the surgeon told us (8 months). And I see in the discharge instructions it says 8 months.
8. Typically, a child will have enough energy to go back to school 3-4 weeks after surgery. In another month,they will feel back to normal. Gradually increasing walking is helpful. Walking one mile by the time of the first post-op visit (3-4 weeks after surgery) is a good goal.
So there you go. With one week being vacation, I may not need to get a tutor for S. Her sister W is in most of her classes (except elective) and can bring the work home.
Here are some points from the material:
1. Each child is in a private room with a sofa bed for a parent. That's great because I planned on being with S the whole time if she wants. It is "infrequent" that the child will be in ICU that night. So I will likely be with her that first night also.
2. The usual stay is 5-7 days. The surgeon told us about 5 days. The insurance okayed 5 days.
3. She will go home with some pain meds but can probably manage on OTC meds after they run out.
4. No PT needed at home.
5. Usually the child is able to go back to school 3 weeks after the surgery(!). An absence of 4 weeks is the usual criterion for obtaining homebound school instruction and most patients are back at school by that time. This is in keeping with what the surgeon told us... 3 weeks... but I didn't realize he was counting from the surgery date and not the date when she comes home!
6. One surgeon has NO restrictions on the weight of bad packs if they are carried close to the body (front or back) and both shoulder straps are used. Our surgeon limits it to 10 pounds using both straps.
7. PE to resume one year after surgery. This differs from what the surgeon told us (8 months). And I see in the discharge instructions it says 8 months.
8. Typically, a child will have enough energy to go back to school 3-4 weeks after surgery. In another month,they will feel back to normal. Gradually increasing walking is helpful. Walking one mile by the time of the first post-op visit (3-4 weeks after surgery) is a good goal.
So there you go. With one week being vacation, I may not need to get a tutor for S. Her sister W is in most of her classes (except elective) and can bring the work home.
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