First hospital stay starts today

Stillgoing · Oct 22, 2008

My daughter, Lauren, will be admitted to the hospital this afternoon for her first overnight stay since birth. She has a cough that has been worsening since it started as a cold on Labor Day. Now that it has moved into her lungs they decided it is time for more aggressive treatment - IV antibiotics and a bronchoscopy.

The doctor, childlife specialist and social worker have given us an idea of what the hospital stay will be like. Lauren is actually looking forward to it! Once she saw the playroom any fears she had were gone. She figures this will be fun and games.

What should we really expect? What should we be sure to bring with us? They say we can bring anything. What has helped you and/or your child to make a hospital stay more pleasant?

Thanks,
Kathleen
Mom to Lauren, age 7 with CF and J.J., age 9 no CF

Stillgoing · Oct 22, 2008

My daughter, Lauren, will be admitted to the hospital this afternoon for her first overnight stay since birth. She has a cough that has been worsening since it started as a cold on Labor Day. Now that it has moved into her lungs they decided it is time for more aggressive treatment - IV antibiotics and a bronchoscopy.

The doctor, childlife specialist and social worker have given us an idea of what the hospital stay will be like. Lauren is actually looking forward to it! Once she saw the playroom any fears she had were gone. She figures this will be fun and games.

What should we really expect? What should we be sure to bring with us? They say we can bring anything. What has helped you and/or your child to make a hospital stay more pleasant?

Thanks,
Kathleen
Mom to Lauren, age 7 with CF and J.J., age 9 no CF

Stillgoing · Oct 22, 2008

My daughter, Lauren, will be admitted to the hospital this afternoon for her first overnight stay since birth. She has a cough that has been worsening since it started as a cold on Labor Day. Now that it has moved into her lungs they decided it is time for more aggressive treatment - IV antibiotics and a bronchoscopy.

The doctor, childlife specialist and social worker have given us an idea of what the hospital stay will be like. Lauren is actually looking forward to it! Once she saw the playroom any fears she had were gone. She figures this will be fun and games.

What should we really expect? What should we be sure to bring with us? They say we can bring anything. What has helped you and/or your child to make a hospital stay more pleasant?

Thanks,
Kathleen
Mom to Lauren, age 7 with CF and J.J., age 9 no CF

Stillgoing · Oct 22, 2008

My daughter, Lauren, will be admitted to the hospital this afternoon for her first overnight stay since birth. She has a cough that has been worsening since it started as a cold on Labor Day. Now that it has moved into her lungs they decided it is time for more aggressive treatment - IV antibiotics and a bronchoscopy.

The doctor, childlife specialist and social worker have given us an idea of what the hospital stay will be like. Lauren is actually looking forward to it! Once she saw the playroom any fears she had were gone. She figures this will be fun and games.

What should we really expect? What should we be sure to bring with us? They say we can bring anything. What has helped you and/or your child to make a hospital stay more pleasant?

Thanks,
Kathleen
Mom to Lauren, age 7 with CF and J.J., age 9 no CF

Stillgoing · Oct 22, 2008

My daughter, Lauren, will be admitted to the hospital this afternoon for her first overnight stay since birth. She has a cough that has been worsening since it started as a cold on Labor Day. Now that it has moved into her lungs they decided it is time for more aggressive treatment - IV antibiotics and a bronchoscopy.
 
 The doctor, childlife specialist and social worker have given us an idea of what the hospital stay will be like. Lauren is actually looking forward to it! Once she saw the playroom any fears she had were gone. She figures this will be fun and games.
 
 What should we really expect? What should we be sure to bring with us? They say we can bring anything. What has helped you and/or your child to make a hospital stay more pleasant?
 
 Thanks,
 Kathleen
 Mom to Lauren, age 7 with CF and J.J., age 9 no CF

JazzysMom · Oct 22, 2008

I am guessing the will be putting a PICC line in to administer the meds as the traditionall, perpheral lines dont hold up well since the meds are so harsh.

Depending on what bacteria she is culturing they might have her on contact isolation which means everyone needs to gown/glove up when working with her to avoid sharing ANY bugs to or from her.

Depending on the hospital depends on how CPT is done. At my hospital we have manual CPT as primary & you can use the Vest for extra treatments if you want.

As far as other things....

I recommend bring comfy & lose clothes like PJ's, sweats etc. Preferably shirts with no iron on decals so she wont have to change for xrays.

I also suggest bring a few days worth of all her meds especially enzymes since it takes awhile for the pharmacy to process her admission orders & get them up. You dont want her not to be able to eat because she doesnt have enzymes yet.

Snacks & drinks of her choosing is great as well as calling cards or cell phones depending on what is long distance from the room.

Games, books, whatever she likes that will entertain her. TV is great, but if you have to pay for it....its gets costly & quite frankly boring after awhile.

A special stuffed animal or pillow. I bring a throw blanket that my friend gave me for y 40th (its actually a prayer shawl), but it reminds me of home & keeps me warm. I also have pics of my daughter & a stuffed animal that she had me bring when she was little.....still bring the same one!

Shampoo, brushes should be your own. Toothbrushes/toothpaste they usually provide.

Any other ????

Good Luck!

JazzysMom · Oct 22, 2008

I am guessing the will be putting a PICC line in to administer the meds as the traditionall, perpheral lines dont hold up well since the meds are so harsh.

Depending on what bacteria she is culturing they might have her on contact isolation which means everyone needs to gown/glove up when working with her to avoid sharing ANY bugs to or from her.

Depending on the hospital depends on how CPT is done. At my hospital we have manual CPT as primary & you can use the Vest for extra treatments if you want.

As far as other things....

I recommend bring comfy & lose clothes like PJ's, sweats etc. Preferably shirts with no iron on decals so she wont have to change for xrays.

I also suggest bring a few days worth of all her meds especially enzymes since it takes awhile for the pharmacy to process her admission orders & get them up. You dont want her not to be able to eat because she doesnt have enzymes yet.

Snacks & drinks of her choosing is great as well as calling cards or cell phones depending on what is long distance from the room.

Games, books, whatever she likes that will entertain her. TV is great, but if you have to pay for it....its gets costly & quite frankly boring after awhile.

A special stuffed animal or pillow. I bring a throw blanket that my friend gave me for y 40th (its actually a prayer shawl), but it reminds me of home & keeps me warm. I also have pics of my daughter & a stuffed animal that she had me bring when she was little.....still bring the same one!

Shampoo, brushes should be your own. Toothbrushes/toothpaste they usually provide.

Any other ????

Good Luck!

JazzysMom · Oct 22, 2008

I am guessing the will be putting a PICC line in to administer the meds as the traditionall, perpheral lines dont hold up well since the meds are so harsh.

Depending on what bacteria she is culturing they might have her on contact isolation which means everyone needs to gown/glove up when working with her to avoid sharing ANY bugs to or from her.

Depending on the hospital depends on how CPT is done. At my hospital we have manual CPT as primary & you can use the Vest for extra treatments if you want.

As far as other things....

I recommend bring comfy & lose clothes like PJ's, sweats etc. Preferably shirts with no iron on decals so she wont have to change for xrays.

I also suggest bring a few days worth of all her meds especially enzymes since it takes awhile for the pharmacy to process her admission orders & get them up. You dont want her not to be able to eat because she doesnt have enzymes yet.

Snacks & drinks of her choosing is great as well as calling cards or cell phones depending on what is long distance from the room.

Games, books, whatever she likes that will entertain her. TV is great, but if you have to pay for it....its gets costly & quite frankly boring after awhile.

A special stuffed animal or pillow. I bring a throw blanket that my friend gave me for y 40th (its actually a prayer shawl), but it reminds me of home & keeps me warm. I also have pics of my daughter & a stuffed animal that she had me bring when she was little.....still bring the same one!

Shampoo, brushes should be your own. Toothbrushes/toothpaste they usually provide.

Any other ????

Good Luck!

JazzysMom · Oct 22, 2008

I am guessing the will be putting a PICC line in to administer the meds as the traditionall, perpheral lines dont hold up well since the meds are so harsh.

Depending on what bacteria she is culturing they might have her on contact isolation which means everyone needs to gown/glove up when working with her to avoid sharing ANY bugs to or from her.

Depending on the hospital depends on how CPT is done. At my hospital we have manual CPT as primary & you can use the Vest for extra treatments if you want.

As far as other things....

I recommend bring comfy & lose clothes like PJ's, sweats etc. Preferably shirts with no iron on decals so she wont have to change for xrays.

I also suggest bring a few days worth of all her meds especially enzymes since it takes awhile for the pharmacy to process her admission orders & get them up. You dont want her not to be able to eat because she doesnt have enzymes yet.

Snacks & drinks of her choosing is great as well as calling cards or cell phones depending on what is long distance from the room.

Games, books, whatever she likes that will entertain her. TV is great, but if you have to pay for it....its gets costly & quite frankly boring after awhile.

A special stuffed animal or pillow. I bring a throw blanket that my friend gave me for y 40th (its actually a prayer shawl), but it reminds me of home & keeps me warm. I also have pics of my daughter & a stuffed animal that she had me bring when she was little.....still bring the same one!

Shampoo, brushes should be your own. Toothbrushes/toothpaste they usually provide.

Any other ????

Good Luck!

JazzysMom · Oct 22, 2008

I am guessing the will be putting a PICC line in to administer the meds as the traditionall, perpheral lines dont hold up well since the meds are so harsh.
 
 Depending on what bacteria she is culturing they might have her on contact isolation which means everyone needs to gown/glove up when working with her to avoid sharing ANY bugs to or from her.
 
 Depending on the hospital depends on how CPT is done. At my hospital we have manual CPT as primary & you can use the Vest for extra treatments if you want.
 
 As far as other things....
 
 I recommend bring comfy & lose clothes like PJ's, sweats etc. Preferably shirts with no iron on decals so she wont have to change for xrays.
 
 I also suggest bring a few days worth of all her meds especially enzymes since it takes awhile for the pharmacy to process her admission orders & get them up. You dont want her not to be able to eat because she doesnt have enzymes yet.
 
 Snacks & drinks of her choosing is great as well as calling cards or cell phones depending on what is long distance from the room.
 
 Games, books, whatever she likes that will entertain her. TV is great, but if you have to pay for it....its gets costly & quite frankly boring after awhile.
 
 
 A special stuffed animal or pillow. I bring a throw blanket that my friend gave me for y 40th (its actually a prayer shawl), but it reminds me of home & keeps me warm. I also have pics of my daughter & a stuffed animal that she had me bring when she was little.....still bring the same one!
 
 Shampoo, brushes should be your own. Toothbrushes/toothpaste they usually provide.
 
 Any other ????
 
 Good Luck!

Jane · Oct 22, 2008

Mel's got good ideas.

Here's a few from me. The worse part for my boys was the PICC dressing changes. The tape is very hard to peel and it was worse than the insertion itself.

If you can get a laptop it will be a great diversion for her and you!

We bring antibacterial wipes like clorox or lysol to wipe down everything in the room. We feel like its our home for the time so we need to be comfortable with the cleanliness. We wipe everything- really.

Bring a notebook and write down everything! There is so much going on during an admission- different docs, nurses, aides, PTs, activity, social workers all telling and asking you things. Writing things down helps sort out your thoughts and questions.

Good luck- I hope it goes smoothly.

Jane · Oct 22, 2008

Mel's got good ideas.

Here's a few from me. The worse part for my boys was the PICC dressing changes. The tape is very hard to peel and it was worse than the insertion itself.

If you can get a laptop it will be a great diversion for her and you!

We bring antibacterial wipes like clorox or lysol to wipe down everything in the room. We feel like its our home for the time so we need to be comfortable with the cleanliness. We wipe everything- really.

Bring a notebook and write down everything! There is so much going on during an admission- different docs, nurses, aides, PTs, activity, social workers all telling and asking you things. Writing things down helps sort out your thoughts and questions.

Good luck- I hope it goes smoothly.

Jane · Oct 22, 2008

Mel's got good ideas.

Here's a few from me. The worse part for my boys was the PICC dressing changes. The tape is very hard to peel and it was worse than the insertion itself.

If you can get a laptop it will be a great diversion for her and you!

We bring antibacterial wipes like clorox or lysol to wipe down everything in the room. We feel like its our home for the time so we need to be comfortable with the cleanliness. We wipe everything- really.

Bring a notebook and write down everything! There is so much going on during an admission- different docs, nurses, aides, PTs, activity, social workers all telling and asking you things. Writing things down helps sort out your thoughts and questions.

Good luck- I hope it goes smoothly.

Jane · Oct 22, 2008

Mel's got good ideas.

Here's a few from me. The worse part for my boys was the PICC dressing changes. The tape is very hard to peel and it was worse than the insertion itself.

If you can get a laptop it will be a great diversion for her and you!

We bring antibacterial wipes like clorox or lysol to wipe down everything in the room. We feel like its our home for the time so we need to be comfortable with the cleanliness. We wipe everything- really.

Bring a notebook and write down everything! There is so much going on during an admission- different docs, nurses, aides, PTs, activity, social workers all telling and asking you things. Writing things down helps sort out your thoughts and questions.

Good luck- I hope it goes smoothly.

Jane · Oct 22, 2008

Mel's got good ideas.
 
 Here's a few from me. The worse part for my boys was the PICC dressing changes. The tape is very hard to peel and it was worse than the insertion itself.
 
 If you can get a laptop it will be a great diversion for her and you!
 
 We bring antibacterial wipes like clorox or lysol to wipe down everything in the room. We feel like its our home for the time so we need to be comfortable with the cleanliness. We wipe everything- really.
 
 Bring a notebook and write down everything! There is so much going on during an admission- different docs, nurses, aides, PTs, activity, social workers all telling and asking you things. Writing things down helps sort out your thoughts and questions.
 
 Good luck- I hope it goes smoothly.

ginandbrea · Oct 22, 2008

Hi Kathleen,

One year ago today was my daughter's first hospitalization (4 days after diagnosis!). We were still shell shocked with the diagnosis just a few days prior and did not know anything!!! We have been admitted 3 times in this last year and I learned so much more each time.

This is what I brought and I think it made my daughter's stay better:

Her own sheets, pillows and bed comforter, it made her hospital room a little like her own and it brought color and cheer. Her own PJs, slippers, clothes and robe. Her own toiletries. Picures of friends and family and pet. Her favorite snacks, hospital food gets boring. Board games, puzzles, arts & craft stuff (beads, paint). All of her bubble bath, lotions, nail polish, girly stuff. Her favorite movies.

Not sure what hospital you are going to, but Children's Hospital had volunteers to bring pets to visit, a wonderful man & lady that would come into the room and teach music and singing, a volunteer to read stories, we had trick-or-treating (last Halloween).

The hospital may have some movies, books, arts & craft stuff that she can do, my daughter could never go into the play room because she has MRSA, so we were limited. The hospital did lend us a laptop when one was available, my daughter loves ClubPenguin!

I found that we did not have alot of spare time as every 4 hours we did RT, then PT once a day with all the routine things.

Another suggestion is do not let them start an IV on admit day because if the PICC team is not available they cannot do the PICC until the following day and this will mean Lauren getting stuck twice. I learned this the 1st time! The 2nd visit, they tried to do the same thing, but after I said "no" Breanna's Docs were fine with beginning oral Abx on admit day and waiting till day 2 to do the PICC. Also, I am not sure about your insurance, but I have never brought my on meds, I keep those at home and let the hospital provide them.

DITTO JANE: Yes, yes, yes ! Disinfect EVERYTHING with antibacterial wipes. And the notepad is great, you will def need it.

If I think of anything else I will let you know or write me if you have any ???

Take care <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
Gina

ginandbrea · Oct 22, 2008

Hi Kathleen,

One year ago today was my daughter's first hospitalization (4 days after diagnosis!). We were still shell shocked with the diagnosis just a few days prior and did not know anything!!! We have been admitted 3 times in this last year and I learned so much more each time.

This is what I brought and I think it made my daughter's stay better:

Her own sheets, pillows and bed comforter, it made her hospital room a little like her own and it brought color and cheer. Her own PJs, slippers, clothes and robe. Her own toiletries. Picures of friends and family and pet. Her favorite snacks, hospital food gets boring. Board games, puzzles, arts & craft stuff (beads, paint). All of her bubble bath, lotions, nail polish, girly stuff. Her favorite movies.

Not sure what hospital you are going to, but Children's Hospital had volunteers to bring pets to visit, a wonderful man & lady that would come into the room and teach music and singing, a volunteer to read stories, we had trick-or-treating (last Halloween).

The hospital may have some movies, books, arts & craft stuff that she can do, my daughter could never go into the play room because she has MRSA, so we were limited. The hospital did lend us a laptop when one was available, my daughter loves ClubPenguin!

I found that we did not have alot of spare time as every 4 hours we did RT, then PT once a day with all the routine things.

Another suggestion is do not let them start an IV on admit day because if the PICC team is not available they cannot do the PICC until the following day and this will mean Lauren getting stuck twice. I learned this the 1st time! The 2nd visit, they tried to do the same thing, but after I said "no" Breanna's Docs were fine with beginning oral Abx on admit day and waiting till day 2 to do the PICC. Also, I am not sure about your insurance, but I have never brought my on meds, I keep those at home and let the hospital provide them.

DITTO JANE: Yes, yes, yes ! Disinfect EVERYTHING with antibacterial wipes. And the notepad is great, you will def need it.

If I think of anything else I will let you know or write me if you have any ???

Take care <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
Gina

ginandbrea · Oct 22, 2008

Hi Kathleen,

One year ago today was my daughter's first hospitalization (4 days after diagnosis!). We were still shell shocked with the diagnosis just a few days prior and did not know anything!!! We have been admitted 3 times in this last year and I learned so much more each time.

This is what I brought and I think it made my daughter's stay better:

Her own sheets, pillows and bed comforter, it made her hospital room a little like her own and it brought color and cheer. Her own PJs, slippers, clothes and robe. Her own toiletries. Picures of friends and family and pet. Her favorite snacks, hospital food gets boring. Board games, puzzles, arts & craft stuff (beads, paint). All of her bubble bath, lotions, nail polish, girly stuff. Her favorite movies.

Not sure what hospital you are going to, but Children's Hospital had volunteers to bring pets to visit, a wonderful man & lady that would come into the room and teach music and singing, a volunteer to read stories, we had trick-or-treating (last Halloween).

The hospital may have some movies, books, arts & craft stuff that she can do, my daughter could never go into the play room because she has MRSA, so we were limited. The hospital did lend us a laptop when one was available, my daughter loves ClubPenguin!

I found that we did not have alot of spare time as every 4 hours we did RT, then PT once a day with all the routine things.

Another suggestion is do not let them start an IV on admit day because if the PICC team is not available they cannot do the PICC until the following day and this will mean Lauren getting stuck twice. I learned this the 1st time! The 2nd visit, they tried to do the same thing, but after I said "no" Breanna's Docs were fine with beginning oral Abx on admit day and waiting till day 2 to do the PICC. Also, I am not sure about your insurance, but I have never brought my on meds, I keep those at home and let the hospital provide them.

DITTO JANE: Yes, yes, yes ! Disinfect EVERYTHING with antibacterial wipes. And the notepad is great, you will def need it.

If I think of anything else I will let you know or write me if you have any ???

Take care <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
Gina

ginandbrea · Oct 22, 2008

Hi Kathleen,

One year ago today was my daughter's first hospitalization (4 days after diagnosis!). We were still shell shocked with the diagnosis just a few days prior and did not know anything!!! We have been admitted 3 times in this last year and I learned so much more each time.

This is what I brought and I think it made my daughter's stay better:

Her own sheets, pillows and bed comforter, it made her hospital room a little like her own and it brought color and cheer. Her own PJs, slippers, clothes and robe. Her own toiletries. Picures of friends and family and pet. Her favorite snacks, hospital food gets boring. Board games, puzzles, arts & craft stuff (beads, paint). All of her bubble bath, lotions, nail polish, girly stuff. Her favorite movies.

Not sure what hospital you are going to, but Children's Hospital had volunteers to bring pets to visit, a wonderful man & lady that would come into the room and teach music and singing, a volunteer to read stories, we had trick-or-treating (last Halloween).

The hospital may have some movies, books, arts & craft stuff that she can do, my daughter could never go into the play room because she has MRSA, so we were limited. The hospital did lend us a laptop when one was available, my daughter loves ClubPenguin!

I found that we did not have alot of spare time as every 4 hours we did RT, then PT once a day with all the routine things.

Another suggestion is do not let them start an IV on admit day because if the PICC team is not available they cannot do the PICC until the following day and this will mean Lauren getting stuck twice. I learned this the 1st time! The 2nd visit, they tried to do the same thing, but after I said "no" Breanna's Docs were fine with beginning oral Abx on admit day and waiting till day 2 to do the PICC. Also, I am not sure about your insurance, but I have never brought my on meds, I keep those at home and let the hospital provide them.

DITTO JANE: Yes, yes, yes ! Disinfect EVERYTHING with antibacterial wipes. And the notepad is great, you will def need it.

If I think of anything else I will let you know or write me if you have any ???

Take care <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
Gina

ginandbrea · Oct 22, 2008

Hi Kathleen,
 
 One year ago today was my daughter's first hospitalization (4 days after diagnosis!). We were still shell shocked with the diagnosis just a few days prior and did not know anything!!! We have been admitted 3 times in this last year and I learned so much more each time.
 
 This is what I brought and I think it made my daughter's stay better:
 
 Her own sheets, pillows and bed comforter, it made her hospital room a little like her own and it brought color and cheer. Her own PJs, slippers, clothes and robe. Her own toiletries. Picures of friends and family and pet. Her favorite snacks, hospital food gets boring. Board games, puzzles, arts & craft stuff (beads, paint). All of her bubble bath, lotions, nail polish, girly stuff. Her favorite movies.
 
 Not sure what hospital you are going to, but Children's Hospital had volunteers to bring pets to visit, a wonderful man & lady that would come into the room and teach music and singing, a volunteer to read stories, we had trick-or-treating (last Halloween).
 
 The hospital may have some movies, books, arts & craft stuff that she can do, my daughter could never go into the play room because she has MRSA, so we were limited. The hospital did lend us a laptop when one was available, my daughter loves ClubPenguin!
 
 I found that we did not have alot of spare time as every 4 hours we did RT, then PT once a day with all the routine things.
 
 Another suggestion is do not let them start an IV on admit day because if the PICC team is not available they cannot do the PICC until the following day and this will mean Lauren getting stuck twice. I learned this the 1st time! The 2nd visit, they tried to do the same thing, but after I said "no" Breanna's Docs were fine with beginning oral Abx on admit day and waiting till day 2 to do the PICC. Also, I am not sure about your insurance, but I have never brought my on meds, I keep those at home and let the hospital provide them.
 
 DITTO JANE: Yes, yes, yes ! Disinfect EVERYTHING with antibacterial wipes. And the notepad is great, you will def need it.
 
 If I think of anything else I will let you know or write me if you have any ???
 
 Take care <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
 Gina

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