Hi, I was explaining to my kids what this site is all about since I'm on it every night
English is not their first language, so they can't post their messages like most relatives on this site can. But they both wanted me to contribute their thoughts, so here goes: My 7-year old daughter wants to say that she worries that I'll get ill again and have to go through more surgery, because she doesn't know how she'll manage to cope with it all again. My 10-year old son wants to say that if there are any other 10-year olds out there watching a parent go through this surgery, what worked for him was to stay positive and try to focus on keeping his Mum (me) positive, too.
Thank you to this site for giving our kids (and other relatives and friends) a place to look for support, too. My kids haven't had anyone to turn to who's been through the same stuff.

Soph, you have wonderful intuitive kids. Your 10 year old has figured out the secret....positive thnking. I truly believe it helps us all get through this.

I just had a rough surgery, and I felt so bad for my kids having to go through this again. My daughter called some of the members here and they were so wonderful with her, they really helped to calm her fears. She went into chat later that night, and was again met with concern and support. There aren't words to thank everyone here for being so kind and helpful to us, and our family.

janna

Hi Janna,
Thanks for your kind words. Yes, my kids are wonderful (of course, I would say that )
They went through a very hard time after my step 1. I was bed-ridden for two and a half months and hospitalized numerous times. If my kids spoke and read better English, I'd have got them on this site with their own user names etc. so they wouldn't have to go through me. But anyway, I'm glad they can get help from you guys! I'm so grateful I remember you've been through a really rough time recently - I remember the postings from everyone on the
site, and it struck me how strong the bonds are between us here, even though many of us don't know each other other than as a web ID I'm sorry you and your family went through the wringer like that.

Bless their little hearts. I have a 9 year old and she has been very good with this. I tried not to show just how sick I was but there was a point that I was scared of what her perception of me was so I asked her if she could describe her mom in one word what would it be? She surpised me by saying "hilarious" I was so thrilled that she didn't say sick, or unhealthy or anything like that.

Your kids sound great. I know its hard on them in some ways but also I think its good that they focus on something other than themselves. So many of today's children don't have a focus on anything but themselves.

Kids are so resilient - and thank God for that. Wonderful to get that confirmation that more than anything, to your daughter you're a Mum (and a funny one at that!), Laurie I told my kids about UC and the surgery etc. very openly in the hope that it would lessen their anxiety. So both of them could deliver a full lecture on j-pouch surgery!