Books about MRIs, hospitals, surgery for a 3-4 year old
May 8, 2018 10:54 AM Subscribe
I am searching for books to read with a child who will go through an MRI (sedated) and maybe surgery. Also books or resources and books for a caring sibling. Thank you.
Best answer: The first (I think?) Madeline book involves her having her appendix out. It's a very sweet story. I remember loving it at that age.
How old is the sibling?
posted by ananci at 11:26 AM on May 8, 2018
How old is the sibling?
posted by ananci at 11:26 AM on May 8, 2018
Best answer: (is it ok if I dont answer the question but mention something I accidentally came upon)
I had some huge printing paper and my very, very busy 3 year old and I had been tracing him and drawing him. I made a big deal about "Lay perfectly still!!" and I'd trace him and we'd color in the silhouette. We must have done that several times over 6 months.
Fast forward to a head smash and we are in the hospital with him needing a couple stitches. He was thrilled to be bouncing around in the hospital room and the doctor called in a couple nurses and I realized they were going to hold him down. I asked to try the tracing thing and got a pen from the doctor. I "traced" while the doctor worked. He was perfect and we took care of everything with no sedation.
Now I am sure MRI is way different than stitches, but it made me think practicing staying still, and all the other doctor stuff might be really helpful. If you have a sensitive child, I might ask the doctor what will happen. I would go to the doctors and pick up a johnny, get a mask and play doctor , putting it over her nose, etc. "You'll feel a little pinch" give her a little pinch, etc. Once you play doctor, caring sibling can do it, too.
posted by beccaj at 4:17 PM on May 8, 2018 [1 favorite]
I had some huge printing paper and my very, very busy 3 year old and I had been tracing him and drawing him. I made a big deal about "Lay perfectly still!!" and I'd trace him and we'd color in the silhouette. We must have done that several times over 6 months.
Fast forward to a head smash and we are in the hospital with him needing a couple stitches. He was thrilled to be bouncing around in the hospital room and the doctor called in a couple nurses and I realized they were going to hold him down. I asked to try the tracing thing and got a pen from the doctor. I "traced" while the doctor worked. He was perfect and we took care of everything with no sedation.
Now I am sure MRI is way different than stitches, but it made me think practicing staying still, and all the other doctor stuff might be really helpful. If you have a sensitive child, I might ask the doctor what will happen. I would go to the doctors and pick up a johnny, get a mask and play doctor , putting it over her nose, etc. "You'll feel a little pinch" give her a little pinch, etc. Once you play doctor, caring sibling can do it, too.
posted by beccaj at 4:17 PM on May 8, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Introduce him or her to Philip Glass music. MRI's sound extremely like a Philip Glass concert.
Get him or her used to wearing ear plugs or other ear protection like headphones, depending on what he or she will wear in the MRI.
Show them videos of MRI's so they know what the machines look like.
Play MRI with both kids using Philip Glass music and the earplugs. Don't forget that all three of you get to have a turn as the patient, and a turn as the technician. The mood during the game should be much the same as during a tea party - not, "Pay attention, this is a dry run very important", but "Oooh, time to play MRI. First first you put on your johnny shirt..." Both the game and the actual MRI can end with a trip to the hospital snack bar, or gift shop, or the equivalent, such as sitting in the lobby with juice and a new colouring book that was in your bag. The longer the child lies still the more you put into the MRI report - "I found your brain! I found your spinal cord! I found your sinuses! (That's where you produce snot!) I found your..." etc.
posted by Jane the Brown at 6:22 AM on May 9, 2018 [1 favorite]
Get him or her used to wearing ear plugs or other ear protection like headphones, depending on what he or she will wear in the MRI.
Show them videos of MRI's so they know what the machines look like.
Play MRI with both kids using Philip Glass music and the earplugs. Don't forget that all three of you get to have a turn as the patient, and a turn as the technician. The mood during the game should be much the same as during a tea party - not, "Pay attention, this is a dry run very important", but "Oooh, time to play MRI. First first you put on your johnny shirt..." Both the game and the actual MRI can end with a trip to the hospital snack bar, or gift shop, or the equivalent, such as sitting in the lobby with juice and a new colouring book that was in your bag. The longer the child lies still the more you put into the MRI report - "I found your brain! I found your spinal cord! I found your sinuses! (That's where you produce snot!) I found your..." etc.
posted by Jane the Brown at 6:22 AM on May 9, 2018 [1 favorite]
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posted by matcha action at 11:08 AM on May 8, 2018