Sure! Very recently someone asked what to take to the hospital, it would be useful to look up that thread as well. I'll just walk you through the process itself. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
First you get there and go to admissions. You check in just like you would for an appointment, they verify your insurance, and give you a hospital bracelet. You may or may not have to wait down there until your room is "ready." When it is, they will direct you where to go, then you can go up to the floor and go right to your room.
Usually when I get there, I adjust the bed, fluff the pillows, and take off my shoes. I put away my suitcase and wait for the nurse to come in. Generally the nurse is the first one to arrive and she will bring you anything you might need (did you forget your toothpaste? perhaps you want a towel or washcloth? etc) and then check your vital signs.
Then either the nurse or the doc on call will come in and take a history, asking pretty much EVERYTHING about you: meds, current symptoms and allergies are the most important things to note. The rest is boring tedium like how much you poop and if you have any cats. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> This is truly the most annoying part of the hospitalization and can take quite a while. I recommend taking a printed out list of medications, previous hospitalizations (that one should be easy for you!) and allergies. This will prevent any mistakes as they are copying down stuff. Be sure to list dosages.
After that is done with they will probably do the first "tests" of your visit which might include a chest Xray, PFT, routine bloodwork, etc. They will also put in an IV or PICC for your meds. Make sure you discuss with the doctor what your "plan" is beforehand so you can mention it to the doctor in the hospital if he happens to be different than your normal CF doctor. It is helpful to have your clinic fax over this plan to the hospital and let them know what medicines you should be on and things like that.
When you are talking to the doctor on call, be sure to mention to him your doc's intentions, and also your own personal preferences: if you want vest or flutter, if you take albuterol at home and how many times a day, your dietary preferences (specify that you need to eat a lot!) and other things like that. Basically if it is part of your home CF routine, be sure to mention it. It seems like a lot of repetition, but if you don't clearly state what you want, they will just give you "whatever" and it probably isn't what you want!!
For example I get CPT 4x a day in the hospital BUT I do not get albuterol 4x a day since it'd make me shake so much I'd vibrate right out of the bed. I also ask for "meal tickets" for the cafeteria so I can get in extra calories, and even though I have CFRD I tell the doc NOT to put me on a diabetic diet because in the cafeteria's eyes, that means tiny tiny portions and no carbs. They still monitor my blood sugars, however, and I watch what I choose for meals. Oh, and make sure you take your own enzymes since they occassionally might come after your meal.
I think that just about takes you through your first day in the slammer. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> After that it's just more of the same. Take a good book and make sure you rest a lot and take advantage of someone else cooking for you. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> Hope you feel better! If you have any more specific questions just ask.
