Worried and need ideas to take my mind off it

[annavc]

I'm stuck at work in London and my sister is in hospital in Southampton having gone in this morning to be induced. She's having twins and they found out about 10 days ago that one of them has a problem with her bowel and will have to have an operation within about 24 hours of being born. My sister's husband and my mum are there with her but I'm feeling very useless and just wish I could be there too to support my sister as I know she's worried sick. I'm stuck at work and can't concentrate on anything. Has anyone got any ideas on how to take my mind off this and either concentrate on work or at least concentrate on something other than whats happening in Southampton?

[cliffsweb]

its hard to concentrate when your worrying, either you could try and work your socks off or take the day off , go shopping and buy your sis a present or pressie for the babies or both. the second idea sounds good to me,
hope everything goes well for your sister and the babies.

[DotH]

A lady at work has a new granddaughter and she was born with a tumour on her bowel which they had diagnosed a few weeks before the birth, the surgeons operated within 48 hours and removed the growth and she is perfectly fine now health wise, it was an extremely worrying time for the whole family but the gran was stunned at just how much the medical and surgical team were aware of before the baby was even born, and they were very reassuring and confident in a positive outcome not only for the operation, but that the growth was benign, they have made some tremendous advances in anti-natal care and this really showed.

I suggest you steal yourself to feign a few days sickie and get down there to be with your sis when the babies are born, your job will still be there but maybe you all need to be together as a family now. ( never tell my staff I suggested that lol)

[Kay]

anna, If you cant get time off or do a sickie,all you can do is phone the hospital to keep updated. Its a worry I know,cant you ask your boss for an hour or so off? At least you could do some window shopping,go for a cuppa or a walk. Kay.

[annavc]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunetly I can't get away from the office - people on holiday etc means I've got to be here today and tomorrow. Have got friday off and am going down then for the weekend. I feel silly worrying, my sister is really strong and she's not on her own. The hospital staff have been great, she was given one of those 3D scans so they are well-prepared for the little girl's problems and are all on standby to deal with it and get her to the neo-natal ward as soon as she's born and then over the road to the other hospital for the operation. Just feeling so totally useless! Silly really.

[doglady]

Of course, and I'm sure you know this, the reason she is being induced is so that all the doctors etc will be there to take care of her daughter. I'm sure she will be fine. I don't think it's totally unusual for babies to have operations very early on in their lives.

Let us all know how it goes. Thinking of you and sending you prayers.

xx

[annavc]

Thank you doglady, that's very sweet. You're right about her being induced - they even brought it forward one day to make sure it wasn't too near a weekend when the necessary staff might not be at the hospital.