When an adult child with asthma needs surgery

 Life is unpredictable 

My college aged daughter was having some medical problems and was unable to drive herself to the hospital, so I took drove her there and stayed with her

It's always amusing when moms of young kids tell me that I'm so lucky that my kids are "all grown up and they don't need me anymore" 🙄

 Most parents don't stop being a parent when their kids turn 18. Granted, there may be parents who do tell their kids that they are on their own when they finish high school.......

But I have tried for years to keep my kids alive (literally). My three kids have had a combined total of 5 surgeries and 15 hospitalizations. My job was to watch over them and advocate for them. But things are different when they are over 18

I told my daughter that I am there to help and support her. But - since she is over 18, the doctors will talk to her and she gets to make all of the medical decisions 

As we waited in the ER, I realized that I was unprepared. My phone was dying, and I didn't have a charger. I didn't have a drink or snacks in my purse and didn't dare leave the ER (I knew that the minute I would leave her room, the doctor would come in. And sure enough - that's what happened when I took a trip to the bathroom).

Specialist was finally tracked down by the ER doc, and he recommended surgery for my daughter. She readily agreed. 

I called my husband and told him that she going to have emergency surgery, so to get to the ER fast!

I told the anesthesiologist that my daughter has severe asthma, so please watch her oxygen level. Daughter asked if she had to stay in the hospital by herself, and I told her that I would be there waiting for her after surgery and I could stay overnight if she wanted me to 

She did.  

Even though she was an adult, she still needed her mom. sniff sniff.

They were anxious to get her into surgery and left us standing in the hall

What did I used to do when my kids had an unexpected hospitalization?

I glanced down at my clothes and decided I could sleep in those, but would need my medications. My son brought my maintenance inhaler and medications and toothbrush and toothpaste 

Surgery went well, and I was by her side the entire time. We both had a fun time NOT sleeping in the hospital (I forgot how loud it can be in there with beeping machines and staff making rounds.) 

She is home now and the recovery has been slow and painful for her, but she is making progress.

Have you had a child in the hospital? Did they still need you? If so, how did you help?