Hospital for IV's

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Rebjane

Super Moderator
I know this topic has been asked before; but we are getting close to needing an admission for PICC and IV's. Depends how the next 2 weeks go and the next PFT result. Anywho, my daughter has not been admitted for a long time(since she was 2 1/2 years old).
She is 9 now. What do you bring? Meds? Enzymes? Other meds in case the hospital staff is late? Since I have some "prep time" Do you try to prepare meals and freeze them? The admission is not definate; I am just a planner, but with the way things have been going if we don't get admitted it will be by the skin of our teeth.
 
R

Rebjane

Super Moderator
I know this topic has been asked before; but we are getting close to needing an admission for PICC and IV's. Depends how the next 2 weeks go and the next PFT result. Anywho, my daughter has not been admitted for a long time(since she was 2 1/2 years old).
She is 9 now. What do you bring? Meds? Enzymes? Other meds in case the hospital staff is late? Since I have some "prep time" Do you try to prepare meals and freeze them? The admission is not definate; I am just a planner, but with the way things have been going if we don't get admitted it will be by the skin of our teeth.
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
Chap stick, hand lotion, tons of snacks, enzymes like you said, (though I am not on them) a noise maker to drown out outside noises, lap top, games, Clorox wipes to wipe down everything all the time. Comfortable clothes, maybe get some craft projects from Michaels. Most hospitals have a Child Life Coordinator who will help with the entertainment. Videos, maybe some bead projects for her to make stuff with. They may provide that there, not sure.

I am not sure about bringing your own meals, you can ask if they will have a refridge in your room, I know they have limited storage in the main kitchen.

I also bring my own pillow that I throw out after being there. Some blankets from home.
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
Chap stick, hand lotion, tons of snacks, enzymes like you said, (though I am not on them) a noise maker to drown out outside noises, lap top, games, Clorox wipes to wipe down everything all the time. Comfortable clothes, maybe get some craft projects from Michaels. Most hospitals have a Child Life Coordinator who will help with the entertainment. Videos, maybe some bead projects for her to make stuff with. They may provide that there, not sure.

I am not sure about bringing your own meals, you can ask if they will have a refridge in your room, I know they have limited storage in the main kitchen.

I also bring my own pillow that I throw out after being there. Some blankets from home.
 
M

musclemania70

New member
i wipe down the room as soon as I get there. there are usually caviwipes in the room, if not, ask for them.
then unpack. this includes flip flops for shower, coffee maker (for you in this case), my sterilizer for nebs, my vest (i bring my own), emla cream for needles, cell phone and charger, laptop and plug, books, pen, paper, toiletries, snacks, my own enzymes and my own insulin. my own towel and washcloth, my own flat sheet to put over top of their linens, then my own blanket or sheet to cover with, my own pillow, and of course lots of comfy clothes.
 
M

musclemania70

New member
i wipe down the room as soon as I get there. there are usually caviwipes in the room, if not, ask for them.
then unpack. this includes flip flops for shower, coffee maker (for you in this case), my sterilizer for nebs, my vest (i bring my own), emla cream for needles, cell phone and charger, laptop and plug, books, pen, paper, toiletries, snacks, my own enzymes and my own insulin. my own towel and washcloth, my own flat sheet to put over top of their linens, then my own blanket or sheet to cover with, my own pillow, and of course lots of comfy clothes.
 
J

jessykt

Guest
I take flip flops and try not to go barefoot anywhere. I take my own pillow and blanket. I do take money to go to the coffee shop or get something not on the menu (the food there is pretty good for hospital food too).

Since she's younger, I wouldn't know what to suggest. I take any hobbies of mine (especially reading, crochet, crosstitch), but I also take things that make me feel like I look better. I take comfy clothes that aren't too much like pjs, I take makeup, good smelling lotion, dry shampoo if my arm hurts too much to wash my hair, and I even started taking an electric razor for my legs! I know she's too young, but you could adapt some things for her. If you can wash her hair and bath her, get her special lotion and chapstick, maybe special hospital slippers or something, maybe that'll make it just a BIT easier.
 
J

jessykt

Guest
I take flip flops and try not to go barefoot anywhere. I take my own pillow and blanket. I do take money to go to the coffee shop or get something not on the menu (the food there is pretty good for hospital food too).

Since she's younger, I wouldn't know what to suggest. I take any hobbies of mine (especially reading, crochet, crosstitch), but I also take things that make me feel like I look better. I take comfy clothes that aren't too much like pjs, I take makeup, good smelling lotion, dry shampoo if my arm hurts too much to wash my hair, and I even started taking an electric razor for my legs! I know she's too young, but you could adapt some things for her. If you can wash her hair and bath her, get her special lotion and chapstick, maybe special hospital slippers or something, maybe that'll make it just a BIT easier.
 
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beleache

New member
I would bring a small amount of each of her meds. Sometimes it takes awhile for orders to be written.. also not all hospitals have all meds.. I would bring her favorite games/toys/stuffed animals/movies/lap top ,i pod, cell phone.. Some hospitals provide laptops/movies , so check that out.. Her favorite snacks & if the food is disgusting, think about bringing meals as well. My hospital provides us w/ a fridge in the room ! Her own pillow& blanket/Soap/shampoo/toothpaste/toothbrush/brush/ Slippers/socks/ pj's /robe (if she uses one) in short, whatever makes her comfy ! Maybe a few pictures for her wall. Hope all goes well <3 joni
 
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beleache

New member
I would bring a small amount of each of her meds. Sometimes it takes awhile for orders to be written.. also not all hospitals have all meds.. I would bring her favorite games/toys/stuffed animals/movies/lap top ,i pod, cell phone.. Some hospitals provide laptops/movies , so check that out.. Her favorite snacks & if the food is disgusting, think about bringing meals as well. My hospital provides us w/ a fridge in the room ! Her own pillow& blanket/Soap/shampoo/toothpaste/toothbrush/brush/ Slippers/socks/ pj's /robe (if she uses one) in short, whatever makes her comfy ! Maybe a few pictures for her wall. Hope all goes well <3 joni
 
R

Rebjane

Super Moderator
Thank you for your ideas! I forgot about stuff like Lysol wipes and Purell. I have less than 2 weeks to get her PFT's up or we are going in(hopefully only for a few days) to get a PICC and drug levels up then we would be home for the rest(that's the plan anyway). This weekend I will make a list and pick up a few things. Better to be prepared and bring in her meds than have to run home and get them.

Do you bring in your own Pari nebs or use the hospitals? last time we used the hospital nebs, the throw away kind, but they never clean them and hang them on the wall. YUK!
 
R

Rebjane

Super Moderator
Thank you for your ideas! I forgot about stuff like Lysol wipes and Purell. I have less than 2 weeks to get her PFT's up or we are going in(hopefully only for a few days) to get a PICC and drug levels up then we would be home for the rest(that's the plan anyway). This weekend I will make a list and pick up a few things. Better to be prepared and bring in her meds than have to run home and get them.

Do you bring in your own Pari nebs or use the hospitals? last time we used the hospital nebs, the throw away kind, but they never clean them and hang them on the wall. YUK!
 
T

TreasureGoddess

Member
I'd say bring the meds, but make sure they're in the original bottles with prescriptions. Our hospital has CF vitamins, but they "taste like barf" according to my son. He's got enough to worry about without that. I give the bottle of vitamins to our nurse, she checks them in through the hospital pharmacy and then we're good. Sometimes hospitals substitute meds in place of the actual prescribed ones you're on.

Hand lotion for sure, good pillow for you & kiddo, use old linens on them so you can throw away or wash well when you leave. comfy shoes for you & kiddo, slippers are awesome. put word out with your kiddo's friends' families or your family. Ask if the school would make cards to send. Bring scotch tape to hang up goodies, cards, pictures etc that come in to cheer up the place. Good luck!

We're heading in on Tues for in house stay at a new hospital. We went for a 2nd opinion and fell in love with the center. Will be a new experience as it's not a children's hospital, but we will be on a pediatric floor and in our own room.
 
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TreasureGoddess

Member
I'd say bring the meds, but make sure they're in the original bottles with prescriptions. Our hospital has CF vitamins, but they "taste like barf" according to my son. He's got enough to worry about without that. I give the bottle of vitamins to our nurse, she checks them in through the hospital pharmacy and then we're good. Sometimes hospitals substitute meds in place of the actual prescribed ones you're on.

Hand lotion for sure, good pillow for you & kiddo, use old linens on them so you can throw away or wash well when you leave. comfy shoes for you & kiddo, slippers are awesome. put word out with your kiddo's friends' families or your family. Ask if the school would make cards to send. Bring scotch tape to hang up goodies, cards, pictures etc that come in to cheer up the place. Good luck!

We're heading in on Tues for in house stay at a new hospital. We went for a 2nd opinion and fell in love with the center. Will be a new experience as it's not a children's hospital, but we will be on a pediatric floor and in our own room.
 
T

TreasureGoddess

Member
OH I forgot to put down to bring a stack of thank-you cards. That way as people bring/mail things you can zip a card off in your down time and not try to figure out who sent what when you get back home.
 
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TreasureGoddess

Member
OH I forgot to put down to bring a stack of thank-you cards. That way as people bring/mail things you can zip a card off in your down time and not try to figure out who sent what when you get back home.
 
2

2roses

New member
Rebjane,
First of all, I truly hope your daughter does not have to go in the hospital! My two daughters are 'frequent flyers' at our hospital, I'm afraid. They're 13 and 18 now, and have been in a lot since about your daughter's age. The suggestions people gave above are all great. I particularly like bringing the noise machine and coffee maker, as well as my daughters' favorite crafts/stuffed animals/blankets/books/video games/washable slippers, etc. I know this may sound silly, but I usually try to buy them something new when they have to go in--fun pajamas, slippers, hair ties, nail polish, fun message t-shirt, or something to make them feel special (5 Below has great and inexpensive ideas). Practically, I bring extra plates/cups/cutlery too in addition to survival snacks we both like. Christine talked about vitamins tasting like barf--how about that hospital food! I also have one of those plastic basket type carriers for the bathroom to put shower stuff in (shampoo/cond/soap/razor, etc. so stuff doesn't fall on the icky floor). I've forgotten to bring Ibuprofen for me in the past. It was awful when I couldn't get anything for a bad headache! Just think what you use routinely and would like to have with you to make you both more comfortable.

I do want to make a comment about meds though. I always bring a supply of all the important meds just in case (enzymes and bronchodilators are the most important). One of my daughters has really reactive airways and can't miss treatments when she's sick. For recent hospitalizations, she was put on nebs every 2 hours to start with. On admission day, it may take until the next shift to get the respiratory treatments started, and that's just too long to wait. So I bring my own meds/neb cups/tubing/machine (if I can't access the wall connections). If my daughter's having an asthmatic episode, I'll start a neb and tell the nurse. Sometimes the respiratory therapists run late. We'll have them paged and if my daughter's cough escalates too much, I'll give her a neb. I always tell the nurse what's going on so she can chart the meds. It's not ideal to do this, but sometimes necessary.

Being in the hospital is stressful, with worrying about your daughter getting better, broken sleep, bad food, etc.; but it can also be great bonding time with your daughter. That's the silver lining for me. I have very fond memories, even with the drama at times, of being in the hospital with them.

Best to you and your daughter!
Sherri
 
2

2roses

New member
Rebjane,
First of all, I truly hope your daughter does not have to go in the hospital! My two daughters are 'frequent flyers' at our hospital, I'm afraid. They're 13 and 18 now, and have been in a lot since about your daughter's age. The suggestions people gave above are all great. I particularly like bringing the noise machine and coffee maker, as well as my daughters' favorite crafts/stuffed animals/blankets/books/video games/washable slippers, etc. I know this may sound silly, but I usually try to buy them something new when they have to go in--fun pajamas, slippers, hair ties, nail polish, fun message t-shirt, or something to make them feel special (5 Below has great and inexpensive ideas). Practically, I bring extra plates/cups/cutlery too in addition to survival snacks we both like. Christine talked about vitamins tasting like barf--how about that hospital food! I also have one of those plastic basket type carriers for the bathroom to put shower stuff in (shampoo/cond/soap/razor, etc. so stuff doesn't fall on the icky floor). I've forgotten to bring Ibuprofen for me in the past. It was awful when I couldn't get anything for a bad headache! Just think what you use routinely and would like to have with you to make you both more comfortable.

I do want to make a comment about meds though. I always bring a supply of all the important meds just in case (enzymes and bronchodilators are the most important). One of my daughters has really reactive airways and can't miss treatments when she's sick. For recent hospitalizations, she was put on nebs every 2 hours to start with. On admission day, it may take until the next shift to get the respiratory treatments started, and that's just too long to wait. So I bring my own meds/neb cups/tubing/machine (if I can't access the wall connections). If my daughter's having an asthmatic episode, I'll start a neb and tell the nurse. Sometimes the respiratory therapists run late. We'll have them paged and if my daughter's cough escalates too much, I'll give her a neb. I always tell the nurse what's going on so she can chart the meds. It's not ideal to do this, but sometimes necessary.

Being in the hospital is stressful, with worrying about your daughter getting better, broken sleep, bad food, etc.; but it can also be great bonding time with your daughter. That's the silver lining for me. I have very fond memories, even with the drama at times, of being in the hospital with them.

Best to you and your daughter!
Sherri
 
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