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Post by kg91207 on Oct 6, 2011 8:44:54 GMT -5
And....my cousin's 2 month old with DS is having her heart surgery on the 28th in Denver, which is only about 7 hours from here so...we are going to drive up to be with m y cousin and her husband (and of course to meet Sally and love on her and see if I can sneak her back home with me in my luggage..ha!) for the surgery and for them to meet Kaelyn. I am so excited. I want to put together a care package for them, they will be there about a week. Anyone who has been through the heart surgery have suggestions for a care package?? We only had one night in the hospital with KK for her procedure. The one thing I would have wanted was some family there with us, which we are doing, but I also want to have some goodies for them. They are driving in from Wyoming for this.
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Post by Chris too on Oct 6, 2011 10:26:25 GMT -5
You are a super star, Brandi  "... only about 7 hours from here so ..." That is quite a drive! Your cousin is lucky to have such a wonderful, supportive cousin like you |
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Post by mg12061 on Oct 6, 2011 12:43:14 GMT -5
That's awesome that you will be able to be there for your cousin. We too had some long stay's in the hospital with Kathleen and having family with us was so important. What was helpful was actually cash and bank cards just for the daily things like coffee, food, drinks, snakcs etc. Magazines, chap stix (the hospital is very drying) lotion, gum mints, slippers, fruit, thank you cards (to write thank you's to others who have helped or sent things). puzzle books. If I think of anything else I'll let you know. I read a good book it was a Chicken Soup for parents of children with dissabilities (not sure of the exact name). very nice book though and very encouraging.
Mary Grace
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Post by Jackie on Oct 6, 2011 16:31:32 GMT -5
take some fluffy blankets...its often chilly in the hospital ...and maybe some of your recent magazines as well.
If you can find out who the anesthesiologist is going to be let me know. Our very best long time friend from med school is one there...Rob Friesen. He is excellent and 28 yrs ago did the anesthesia for Emily's 14 hr intestinal surgery for hirschprungs in Denver. Denver is even drier than Amarillo so lotion etc woud be good. Hopefully they will have a short stay and all will be well. Denver has a terrific support group and if you like can connect you with them. We were charter members many moons ago.
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Post by Chris on Oct 9, 2011 19:56:36 GMT -5
Take anything to help keep their minds off the surgery. Snacks, pillows, blankets, nice footies to keep their feet warm. We lived within a 30 minute drive to the hospital when Sarah had surgery. It is very stressful. Maybe a collection of stories about heart surgery with happy endings. How about some supplements to keep mom and dad healthy? I got strep throat a couple of days after Sarah had her surgery. I am convinced my immune system was weak due to the stress. I don't know if your cousin has other children but I appreciated it when other people would help make my other daughter feel special. It was an extremely stressful time for her. Just being there will be so helpful to your cousin. Just let her cry. I am getting teary eyed just thinking about the feeling of handing Sarah over to the doctor right before her surgery and not knowing if I would get to hold her again.  That was by far the worse part. Just thought of one more thing. I know I was pumping breastmilk and anything to make that easier would be wonderful! Chris |
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Post by kg91207 on Oct 10, 2011 16:07:27 GMT -5
Oh you guys are great!!! They have 2 older kids who will be staying back with their grandma and aunts. I was thinking of getting a little something for them too. I got some yarn and hope to get a blanket crocheted before we go or finish it up on the drive up there. It was SO hard to hand KK over too, and she only had a heart cath. But thank you for these suggestions, they are perfect!!
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Post by mg12061 on Oct 11, 2011 9:24:01 GMT -5
that's awesome. I have 2 older chidlren and when Kathleen's been hospitalised and sick it was really hard on them. It's still hard on them and they're adults now. It's great to make them feel good and not forgotten. The blanket is an awesome idea. When Kathleen was in for surgery at Boston Children's Hospital she was given a beautiful crocheted blanket. It was provided by The Linus Project which supplies homemade blankets for seriously ill children in hospitals. It was soooo nice to have this bright beautiful edition to her room, and it was warm and snuggly. We took it everywhere after that especially for hospital visits and Dr. visits. Many prayers for your family. Keep us posted.
Mary Grace
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"... only about 7 hours from here so ..." That is quite a drive! Your cousin is lucky to have such a wonderful, supportive cousin like you 
]
That was by far the worse part.