Surgery

Grosspapa is having heart surgery on Monday.  He is having a valve replacement and double by-pass.  We told the girls that the reason we went to Houston this week was to see him before surgery since it will be a long time before he is well enough to come up to see us.  Today while driving in the car, Kayden remembered the surgery and asked when it was.  I told her and then this conversation ensued with sister:


Keeley:  "He's having surgery on his heart."
Me: "Yes.  It isn't working very well so the doctors are going to fix it."
Keeley: "Where is your heart?"
Me:  "It is in your chest.  I can show you when we stop and you can feel it beating."
Keeley: "So they are going to fix his heart."
Me: "Yes."
Keeley: "How will they do that?"
Me: "The doctors will give him some medicine so he goes to sleep and some medicine so he doesn't hurt and then they will work on his heart."
Keeley: "But how will they get to it?"
Me: "Well, they'll have to cut him"
Keeley:  (horrified gasp) "But that will hurt."
Me: "Yes, it will hurt like when you fall down and get cuts, but they will give him medicine so he doesn't hurt."
Keeley: "How will they cut him?"
Me:  "Well, they'll use an instrument called a scalpel."
Keeley: "But that will hurt.  Grossmama will have to give him lots of hugs and kisses."

I learned two things through this conversation:
1. Answering kids questions honestly and simply doesn't always prevent you from having to get to details you weren't anticipating having to share.
2. Hugs and kisses are better than any medicine the doctor can give you.