How do I deal with the emotions of my child's surgery?

One mom wrote the following advice:

"I think you're right that one of the hardest parts of this whole process is to not allow your worry or grief or anxiousness to affect your child. I thought I handled it really well... except for the desperate sobbing :)

"I think it's important for you to take plenty of breaks while in the hospital and to eat and sleep when you can. You'll be far more able to take care of your child if you're able to take decent care of yourself as well.

"Our experience at Primary Children's was great - the nurses really worked with us to keep our daughter as comfortable as possible. Just know, and try to prepare your heart, that those first few days are really hard and it will get a little better every day."

There is also a post that I wrote just before my son's second surery here.