Ideas from children's hospitals for getting a child ready, a picture story to read together, a coloring page, and a sheet for school. Nothing you type here is saved or sent.
Getting ready together
Be honest, in words your child knows. Younger children usually need fewer details than older kids. Teens may want to know more and to help make decisions.
Say why. The surgery is to help a part of their body do its job.
Call it a special sleep. The medicine for surgery gives a special sleep, so they won't see, hear or feel anything, and the care team wakes them when it's over. Avoid "put to sleep": some children know it from pets that never woke up.
Don't promise "no pain" or "no needles." Instead, say the nurses and doctors have medicine and ways to help.
It's fine to say "I don't know." Write the question down and ask the care team together.
Accept their feelings. Let them know it's OK to feel scared, or even mad.
Be ready for changes. Sometimes surgery is delayed or cancelled because of emergencies.
Bring something from home. A favorite blanket or stuffed animal can help. Ask whether it can go into the operating room.
Play and draw it. Acting out a hospital visit with toys, or drawing it, can show you how your child feels.
Ask if the hospital has a child life specialist. They are trained to talk with children in a comforting way.
Look after yourself too. Children pick up on how you feel. Accept help when it's offered. Talking with a counselor or social worker can help too.
Adapted from SickKids AboutKidsHealth and Nemours KidsHealth.
A picture story to read together
Read it with your child, and skip any page you like. Change any words to match what your care team tells you.
Illustration, not a medical image.
Page 1
This is a picture of the inside of a head and neck, as if we could look in from the side.
Illustration, not a medical image.
Page 2
Your brain is inside your skull. Near the back is a part called the cerebellum. It helps you balance and move smoothly. Your brain and spinal cord are cushioned by a clear liquid.
Illustration, not a medical image · Tonsils shown at their lowest point, where MRI measures them.
Page 3
In Chiari, the bottom of the cerebellum reaches down a little too low, through the opening where the skull meets the neck. There isn't quite enough room there. You didn't do anything to cause it.
Illustration, not a medical image · Tonsils shown at their lowest point, where MRI measures them.
Page 4
Doctors can make more room. During surgery you'll be in a special sleep from medicine, so you won't see, hear or feel anything. The surgeon takes away a small piece of bone at the back of the head, and often a little from the top of the neck. Many times they also add a patch to make more space.
Page 5
When you wake up, the back of your head and neck may feel sore. Your nurses and doctors have medicine to help. You'll stay in the hospital until your doctors say you're ready to go home. Your grown-up will tell you about how long, and will be with you as much as they can. You can bring your favorite blanket or stuffed animal.
Page 6
Then you'll rest at home for a while before going back to school. You can ask questions anytime. Every question is a good one.
Color it in
Two drawings to print and color: before and after surgery.
Before surgeryAfter surgery
A suggested key (any colors are fine): bone, brain, spinal cord, the clear liquid. Illustration, not a medical image · Tonsils shown at their lowest point, where MRI measures them.
A sheet for school
Fill in what you like, then print it for a teacher or the school nurse. Every box is optional.
Not medical advice. Nothing you type on this page is stored or sent.
A picture story to read together
This is a picture of the inside of a head and neck, as if we could look in from the side.
Your brain is inside your skull. Near the back is a part called the cerebellum. It helps you balance and move smoothly. Your brain and spinal cord are cushioned by a clear liquid.
In Chiari, the bottom of the cerebellum reaches down a little too low, through the opening where the skull meets the neck. There isn't quite enough room there. You didn't do anything to cause it.
Doctors can make more room. During surgery you'll be in a special sleep from medicine, so you won't see, hear or feel anything. The surgeon takes away a small piece of bone at the back of the head, and often a little from the top of the neck. Many times they also add a patch to make more space.
When you wake up, the back of your head and neck may feel sore. Your nurses and doctors have medicine to help. You'll stay in the hospital until your doctors say you're ready to go home. Your grown-up will tell you about how long, and will be with you as much as they can. You can bring your favorite blanket or stuffed animal.
Then you'll rest at home for a while before going back to school. You can ask questions anytime. Every question is a good one.
