I.:

My nephew and godson, D., who is 14years old, has just
undergone emergency surgery for appendicitis - while on holiday on
the Greek island of Kefallonia.  It has been a very traumatic night
for the whole family and I am concerned about helping them recover
fully from the experience.  Especially D. who is so scared
right now - but also my sister who feels like she's been through
tremendous physical and emotional turmoil, the younger boys who have
been sitting in the hospital waiting room all night with their
parents taking all this in and my brother-in-law who keeps
everything bottled up and under control.

I am going over there myself in the next couple of days and I would
really appreciate suggestions as to how I can help them - none of
them are in RC, though my sister and I do have sessions of sorts.

I am particularly concerned that D. recover fully from the
anesthesia.  I have read articles and postings about this in the
past, but right now I can't remember much.  I told my sister to
encourage him to cry and discharge as much as possible - which makes
fundamental sense.

If you can offer more specific advice I would really appreciate it.

_______________________________________________
J.:

Letting him cry is exactly what is needed. It will help to explain
discharge to his family. Ask him to tell his story about the
operation often. Have him repeat it over and over again. If he starts
yawning encourage him. Yawning is the recovery from anesthesia. He
may need to yawn for a very long time.

Of course try and get sessions yourself so you have good attention.
Try and discharge about your own experiences with anesthesia.

He is lucky to have you there.

_________________________________________________

P:

Good on you for caring and thinking so well for your family.  You are
just the person for the job as you already have the strong
relationships.

What I have found most useful when I have been in similar situations (my
son had burst appendix at 13 and my brother had emergency abdominal
surgery), is to ensure that I made contact with local Rcers and had
regular sessions and to also be in phone contact with those Rcers with
whom I can discharge easily.  I have found that I needed to make sure
that I kept in good shape so that I could then be available for the rest
of my family. (Being around the family in crisis is amazingly
restimulating at the best of times, so it is a great opportunity to take
on a different role and act as counsellor as much as possible).

I would then make my self available for each person and just hang out
with them and invariably when they felt safe and comfortable enough;
they would talk, laugh or cry about the situation.  It sounds like you
know your family pretty well, so you will know exactly what to say to
each one of them in order for them to discharge.  You could even lead
them along by saying something like "wow that must have been scary!!!"
or "what was it like sitting here all night?" in a relaxed way!

I would not take any of my fears or concerns to my family but instead
discharge them in sessions.  I suggest that you lend them your
confidence that full recovery for all is possible and easy.  If you
don't feel confident, then take that to a session.