So this isnt exactly about reflux, but she is over three and I need some advice!:wink:

She is 4 and a half already. Between inpatient admissions, outpatient testing, and ER visits, she has been in the hospital 19 times in her short little life...most of them over the age of 2, so she remembers each and every traumatic experience. She has been in UCLA three times now, and each time was scary enough for her.

Well in a few weeks we have to say something to her about being admitted to UCLA for a week. She is very sensitive, very prone to anxiety, very emotional, very articulate in expressing her feelings, and very certain of what she wants and does not want. What she wants is anything not scary, so she will be a hard sell on this trip! What is worse is that when she asks if she is going to get a needle in her arm, I will have to be honest and say yes (she will be anesthetized for an endoscopy while she is there), and she will not be happy with that.

SOOOOO I need help on what to say. The night before we go, Tim and I are taking both Gavin and Chelsea to Build-a Bear to choose a friend to stuff and dress...this will be their special friend that will keep them company and keep them safe while they are at the hospital. It will help her to know that Gavin is being admitted too and Daddy will stay with us as well. We figured we would tell her before we go choose her new friend (although she already knows which one she wants!). But I want a really creative story to go with how special this bear is--a story that is comforting to her and will make her feel somewhat able to handle even just getting to the hospital without freaking out.

I am a Christian...I want the story to have something to do with God and His angels...maybe they sent the bear to her...something along those lines.

Any ideas?

Carla, no I didn't have any thing to offer as of advice yet but you do have a hard story to tell there so I am sending you :hugs: to help you find the words that you need to help Chelsea!

I too, and sending you ((hugs)). I have done the same thing with my DD. I think having her brother there is going to be a good comfort too. They can comfort eachother. I found that with my DD, the more light hearted I am about it the less anxiety she has. But as for the little bear.... have her pray for the bear, the night before, to have good hugs for the next day. If I made the bear to much of a big deal about something that was suppose to be comforting, my DD would reject it as comforting. It became a symbol of the hospital visit. Can they do the IV line after she is under? That is what they do with my DD. Getting it out was always the issue with us. It is so hard when they are older because not only do you have your stress you have to watch them have stress too and that's worse. My thoughts and prayers will be with you all. I too am Christian and have seen prayer do wonders with our family. The one thing we did with our DD a couple of times is ask everyone to pray for us at a certian day and time. So there is a very loud prayer to God. I was able to tell Savannah At that time that God was talking about her to all her family.

God Bless
Sue

Oh Carla...I wish I could give you help on this one...But I can't. My nieces have had to have only a few hospitalizations, but they never found a great solution either...They did something similar to you, but didn't discuss it as from God...but then they were a little older this last time they needed to go in for surgery (9 and 7). The only advice she had was to definitely wait until the night before since it doesn't do a child any good to worry longer by telling them any sooner. She does pray with them and uses it to talk to them about God...but because of their age they understand that God doesn't "give" things like a doll...KWIM? However I dont know that it would be bad to say that to Chelsea since she is young. Will the kids be in the same room? I also would think they could start the IV once she is out like they do at CHOC...she won't need a constant IV, will she? Have you checked out any christian (or non) bookstores to see if they have any kids book on the subject? I tried to look online but wasn't successful.

I'll be praying for you guys - when exactly are you going in?

I love all your thoughts and ideas, thank you. I will check about books...I never thought of that one!

What about tell her you are getting the bear to act as angels while they are in hospital and then you could say a prayer to God to make the angels watch over them?

I don't know, is there an angel bear?