The Stollery Surgical Case Coordinator will call you once a date for your child's surgery has been confirmed. They will provide you with important information, including preoperative instructions and logistical details (the date of surgery, when to arrive, whether or not a PAC Clinic visit is required, etc). They will tell you about how long your child will need to be in the hospital (this largely depends on the type of surgery being performed). You will also receive a package in the mail that includes a dental clearance letter to be filled out by your child’s dentist before surgery, and a hard copy of the preparation guide. If your child is on an anticoagulation, you will be contacted by KIDCLOT regarding what to do preoperatively. KIDCLOT is a dedicated team at the Stollery that will also guide anticoagulation management postoperatively. Parents and families can expect to receive a lot of information at this stage. It is important to organize all of the information you receive (a folder or binder can help) and review everything. Arming yourself with knowledge will help alleviate your fears and make it easier to maintain your strength throughout the process. Even though you will be receiving a lot of new information, try to be as active and engaged as possible. Discuss any questions or concerns you have with your Surgical Case Coordinator. Remember, no question is too small, and it is OK to ask more than once. In stressful situations, we sometimes need to hear information multiple times before we are able to process it. Preparing Your Child Your Child’s Cardiologist will provide you with more detailed information about the surgery. The Surgical Case Coordinator will also provide preoperative instructions to help you prepare your child and ensure they are as healthy as possible. It is important that you fully understand and adhere to these instructions. Always ask questions if you’re unsure. In addition to making sure your child is ready physically, you also need to make sure they are ready psychologically. This means talking about the surgery with them in an age-appropriate way and reassuring them about what's going to happen. Refer to the Preparing for Your Child’s Heart Surgery Guide for more information on how to talk with your child about the procedure and hospital stay. Your Surgical Case Coordinator can also provide guidance about how to talk with children at different developmental stages. You can also use the Stollery Children's Hospital Photo Walkthrough (found on the overview tab) to become familiar with the hospital. As the hospital can be a new and unfamiliar experience, knowing what you’ll see can help both you and your child feel more comfortable. Make sure to look through the gallery first and share only the photos you feel are appropriate. If you require additional support, the Stollery Child Life Program can help. Through this program, Certified Child Life Specialists help patients and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of acute and chronic illness, injury, trauma, disability, loss and bereavement. They provide evidence-based, developmentally and psychologically appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation for procedures, and education to reduce fear, anxiety, and pain. You will meet the Child Life Specialist on the day of your Pre-Admission Clinic visit. Preparing Yourself As a parent of a child requiring surgery, it can be easy to forget about your own wellbeing. Managing your own anxiety while keeping your child reassured can feel overwhelming. It is important to know that you are not alone. There are people and resources available to help. Staying informed about the surgery and what to expect is one of the most important things you can do. Make a point of reading through all of the information that has been provided to you. Ask as many questions as you need to and don't hesitate to request additional information. While your care team will do their best to prepare and inform you prior to the surgery, it’s always good to have a few questions ready to ask. Suggestions are included within the Stollery Preparing for Your Child’s Heart Surgery guide. While it is important to increase your knowledge, it is just as important to care for your mental and emotional health. If you need to talk to someone, your Surgical Case Coordinator (or your home hospital’s clinic nurses if traveling from another province) can put you in touch with a hospital Social Worker (who can connect you to counsellors and other resources). In addition, there are family support groups in each of the Western Provinces that can provide assistance. Through these groups, you can connect with other families (in-person or online) who have been through similar experiences. Not only can this help build your support system, but it can also provide a way to comfortably ask questions and seek advice from peers.