Anestesia for a 7 Year Old for an MRI

Both of my daughters had a different procedure (VCUG)done at Plano Pediatric Imaging with gas anesthesia. At least once our anesthesiologist was Dr. Davis. It's a hike out there for us, but I was impressed with the place. It's kid-friendly, and everyone is nice and helpful. The procedures are explained clearly. The gas takes effect almost immediately and wears off quickly too after the procedure. I know it's scary, but you will be glad you did it after it's over.

First-I can only imagine the concern you have for what you may learn and the mom fears you have concerning the procedure.

You know your child and her fear of needles and have taken action to try and lesson the effect of the procedure on her in a very sensible way.

Now what you must do is trust in God to use the skill and training of the medical professionals to do their jobs in order to help your child.

What we as parents do not realize is how while such a situation is totally new to us and freaks us out- these medical personell do MRI's routinely. The anestesiology is what this Dr. Robert Davis DOES for a living! He does it probably every day of the week-maybe even weekends. He has probably done more patients than he can now remember. He has gone to school for YEARS AND YEARS to study it-to practice it-to do it and has done it under the guidence of experienced Dr's. He has gained the approval of an untold number of experienced people to be a doctor that now practices this. He knows all the ins and outs of the risks and when it could be riskier. He will not do this if he sees any reason why it is a life risk.

I can say this. Before my second daughter turned 3 she suffered a ruptured appendix that abcessed. She was deathly ill but did not act like it quickly enough for us to catch it early. It was imperative that she get a CAT scan to find out what was wrong with her before we knew. She was deathly ill and put under and she was so little.

It terrified me. I was allowed to go in with her and be with her until she went limp on the gas and that tore me up too even knowing she was ok-just out. IT SCARED ME SO BADLY. BUT!

BUT the doctors KNEW what they were doing. I handed my baby over to them and trusted GOD to care for her. ALL MY WORRY-ALL MY FEAR-ALL MY EMPOTIONAL RESPONSE did nothing to help and I refused to let it hinder her diagnosis or treatment.

She was put under three times more. For surgery to drain the abcess and insert a drainage tube. She was put under for a Picc lINE (long term IV tube that goes up a blood vessel into chest-as a port to be used for antibiotic IVies). After WEEKS- when she had recovered she went back and was put under again to finally have an Appendectomy where they removed the bits of appendix that was left to prevent further infection from occurring.

My baby- my two year old came through it just fine. If a two year old can go through THAT- your 7 year old will do fine with it for diagnosis.

By the way, my two year old from the story is now a healthy four year old thanks to God and the trained and skilled Dr's that worked on her. My older daughter is 7. Same age as your own and I CAN understand how you feel and have a good idea of what will take place.

Trying to dig up dirt on a Doctor will get you no where. Focuse your energy on preparing your daughter for the situation ahead, on prayer for her comfort and for the Doctors involved. Take that worry you feel and and do your best to know WORRy is not a productive thing-this is an issue you CAN NOT fix by yourself. You MUST turn to GOD for strength and peace of mind. Your daughter will be able to feel your anxiety and soemtimes our children react from our reactions. Be strong for your daughter and tell her exactly what to expect when you know how the procedure will go. Don't shy from telling her what will happen-the greatest fear from your child (as with all of us is THE UNKNOWN and the suspense of waiting for pain.) THe pain itself is unpleasant but very short lived.

I told my BABY- my two year old This is going to hurt but it will happen fast and it will happen becuase it will make you better. You will go to sleep and when you wake up I will be here with you. I did my gut wrenching-heart stricken fearful worried prayer and weeping while she was in surgery. While she was out and later on when she was better in private out of her range of hearing and out of her sight. FOr her I held it together completely and I forced myself to be calm and straight forward about everything that was taking place.

We even took a doll with us and the doll was "prepped" for surgery first so she could watch and know what to expect. THe nurses really went all out on this-bandaids-iv tube for it-the alcohol swabs-everything.

You're skipping this part. All you have to do is let the trained professionals do their job and Trust in the Lord to care for you BECAUSE HE DOES! He loves you! He loves your daughter! He loves the Doctors involved! God is SO GOOD and He is PERFECT in everything.

Considering how much you all have going for you-there is no need to worry now. (I realize as a mom this is much easier said than done. Trust me I truly do!)

Hang in there. Have your good cry. Lean on your husband-your parents-your really good friend. Pray all that nervous concern up to God and you will find such an inner peace and your daughter will not only pick up on it and react better to everything but you will find you are better able to concentrate on what you CAN do and also you will be better prepared to handle whatever you learn.

May God pour out all the blessings HE has in store just for you and your daughter and your husband!

The use of gas is the safest way you can go. Please don't panic and pull out of the procedure. They go down very fast and get up very fast without any effects from being asleep. Worse thing that can happen is a mild sore throat from the tube that is used. The use of injections can have more complications and risks since the drugs are in the body and it's harder to control since the body has to absorb the meds and it can not be pulled back out if a bad reaction happens. Then the use of other drugs are used to counter act with them to combat the effects. With gas it is simply breathed into the body and once it is removed the drug (gas) is then no longer in the body. There by it's very safe and controlled.
I was in the medical field for several years. I also had to have my 4 year old son under for a scope procedure and was nervous too even though I knew how safe it was. Normal mom fear and concern, I understand.
Hope all is well with your little girl.
Best Regards,
C.

My granddaughter also has a needle fear and she is 13 now. She had to have an MRI also and before they put the needle in so they could have an IV and put her to sleep they gave her laughing gas. It worked great and she didn't have any problems. We had hers done at the new childrens hospital in Plano.They were super.