Concern for my little one!

I'm having a TAH/BSO on the 6th of Nov. (endo, adenomyosis, ovarian cyst, enlarge uterus) and Dr. said I'll be in there no less than 3 days, depending on what happening with me. My DH and I have full custody of my grandson,(he two , for 8 months. He adjusted very well, with a strong attachment to me. I'm more worried about him thinking, I left him and don't want him to be traumatize, in fear of losing me as he did his parent. Is there anyone that can help to make this easier on him since he only two. My DH is planning on bringing him in to visit me often . Then me, Yes I'll admit, I'm scare, but thanks so much for this site, It really has help me so much, Thank you all so much for making this site possiable. You all are truly

I don't know if I can be of much help since my son is 9 and will understand much of my situation, but I do recall when my son was 2 that I had to stay overnight in the hospital after having my gallbladder removed. He didn't really understand much about it, therefore he didn't worry much. I found the less "big deal" I made of it, the less anxious he was, also. I made sure the day of my surgery and the next 2 days he had lots of fun things planned with family who was helping me with him, and I bought a few "surprises" for him that I told him about ahead of time--one that he got the day I went in, one he got the next day, and one for when I was at home. I had them hidden in "simple" places where he could find them. He could understand those treats, and when I told him I had the surprises, that was ALL that was on his little two year old mind! It worked really well, too, and made it a big adventure. I even had one surprise in my hospital bag so when he came there he had a little something to look forward to. When I got home and was groggy I just kept it very simple and said I had tummy-aches, and it was totally understandable to him.

You sound like a great grandmom and a great mom! Personally, I think you need "treats" for yourself, too!

I have had many surgeries. When my kids were small I would leave them tapes. I would leave them small chores like any other day, there would be activities during the day, and a bedtime story for each night. They loved it and they also knew they could call anytime to check on me.
Good luck D.J.

Kiki,
I think the best thing you can do is make sure he gets to see you once a day until you get home. As long as he doesn't feel abandoned, I am sure he will be fine. Talking to him about it now won't do much good, because he is too little to understand. I would wait until the night before your surgery to sit with him and talk about whats going to happen. Like I said, if he knows he will get to visit I am sure he'll be fine.
Good luck, I'll be thinking about you

Kiki, I've had overnight stays at the hospital when both of my kids were about 2 years old: I had a miscarriage when my son was 2.7 yo and a D&C when my daughter was almost 2 years old. Even though the hospital stay was very short in both cases, each time what mattered most for my kids was the fact that I wasn't there. I simply explained that mommy had a big "owie" and had to stay at the hospital for a while. Keeping them busy while I was away helped in de-traumatizing the whole event.

Children that age are simply too young to understand anything else than explanations THEY can associate with their own life.

Hope this helps.