I would hope & expect with all the medical info available to parents today-
none of us are blamming our kids for that type of thing. Also most medical
centers have Child Life programs to help inform & explain to kids what will
be happening- tour hospital or surgi center...also there are lots of kids
books written to read to them about going to the hospital etc.   Many
centers have programs where parents g                     Joyo in with the
kids atleast till they are out...You were justborn too early Dina!! (Ha Ha!
)

----------
>From: Dina Dror <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Memories
>Date: Thu, Sep 16, 1999, 1:46 AM
>

>Hi,
>
>I have memories going back to at least the age of 3 1/2 or 4 if not earlier.
>I remember my first surgery at 4 1/2 very well. I had one of the same nurses
>at the same hospital when I was 8. We both recognized each other and stuff.
>My parents didn't talk to me about my second surgery. I found out the day
>before when I was having surgery. My mother's way of dealing with it was: "If
>you going to cry about it, we're not going to discuss it. End of subject."
>All I knew was that I would have casts below my knees, and that my feet would
>be straight afterwards and that I would no longer make holes in my shoes. I
>also knew that I would be in the casts for six weeks.  It was six weeks of
>pain and he**!! I also relied on my memory of what would happen in the
>hospital and it was all the same... unfortunately. A week of He** that I
>could have lived without!
>
>Since my doctor "screwed up", I wouldn't let him touch me again with a knife.
>I still ruined my shoes and got the blame for it. I got the blame for my foot
>turning out. I got the blame for not picking up my feet after this surgery
>that "was supposed to make me walk more normal and straight."
>
>Enuf said,
>
>Dina
>