At her last routine CF appt, my almost 8yo dd cultured pseudomonous for the first time. We will be going into the hospital this week for IV anti-biotics. They want her there for two weeks but we will be pushing to bring her home for home IVs as soon as possible. She has been in the hospital twice before (for a diabetes scare and for a kidney infection) and we always stayed with her 24hours a day. My husband keeps talking about possibly leaving her alone for periods of time. This makes me nervous for several reasons. I think she would be scared to be left alone. We've had instances of doctors changing her medication without consulting us and I would want us there to monitor that. And finally, there were times when nurses or doctors would come in to examine her and we would have to remind them to put on masks. I was just curious what other parents do when they have a child in the hospital. How old was your child the first time you left them alone for a period of time? How long would you leave them alone?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Leaving a child alone in the hospital
- Thread starter jendonl
- Start date
At her last routine CF appt, my almost 8yo dd cultured pseudomonous for the first time. We will be going into the hospital this week for IV anti-biotics. They want her there for two weeks but we will be pushing to bring her home for home IVs as soon as possible. She has been in the hospital twice before (for a diabetes scare and for a kidney infection)and we always stayed with her 24hours a day. My husband keeps talking about possibly leaving her alone for periods of time. This makes me nervous for several reasons. I think she would be scared to beleft alone. We've had instances of doctors changing her medication without consulting us and I would want us there to monitor that. And finally, there were times when nurses or doctors would come in to examine herand wewould have to remind them to put on masks. I was just curious what other parents do when they have a child in the hospital. How old was your child the first time you left them alone for a period of time? How long would you leave them alone?
<p> At her last routine CF appt, my almost 8yo dd cultured pseudomonous for the first time. We will be going into the hospital this week for IV anti-biotics. They want her there for two weeks but we will be pushing to bring her home for home IVs as soon as possible. <p> She has been in the hospital twice before (for a diabetes scare and for a kidney infection)and we always stayed with her 24hours a day. My husband keeps talking about possibly leaving her alone for periods of time. This makes me nervous for several reasons. I think she would be scared to beleft alone. We've had instances of doctors changing her medication without consulting us and I would want us there to monitor that. And finally, there were times when nurses or doctors would come in to examine herand wewould have to remind them to put on masks.<p> I was just curious what other parents do when they have a child in the hospital. How old was your child the first time you left them alone for a period of time? How long would you leave them alone?
T
TonyaH
Guest
<P>That is a VERY good question! My son is 13 and has been hospitalized 9 times. His average stay is about 3 to 4 days long, with the longest beeing one week. I have not left him alone yet. </P>
<P> </P>
<P>Aside from simply not wanting him to feel lonely or abandoned, I also agree that doctors sometimes make changes without me knowing, and I have to ask the nurse to get the doctor for me so I can discuss the change with them. There are so many people on a CF team that are in and out all day long. It wouldn't really be a big deal to miss a PT session or RT treatment, but I certainly don't want to miss doctor visits, be it the specialist, resident, whatever. And finally, if I'm not there, my son would tend to sit in front of the TV....all...day...long... I try to keep him busy with games, activities, reading as well as TV so his brain doesn't turn to mush while he's there! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"></P>
<P> </P>
<P>But you know who will be the BEST voice for you right now are the adults on this board. Hopefully you will hear from them at what age they stayed alone for a while, how they felt about it, and wether or not they ever wished their mom had stayed. As much as we like to believe our sweet little angels want us with them 24/7, they do grow up and there becomes such a thing as too much togetherness! I'm probably nearing that point, so I will be interested to hear the responses you recieve.</P>
<P> </P>
<P>Great topic!</P>
<P> </P>
<P>Aside from simply not wanting him to feel lonely or abandoned, I also agree that doctors sometimes make changes without me knowing, and I have to ask the nurse to get the doctor for me so I can discuss the change with them. There are so many people on a CF team that are in and out all day long. It wouldn't really be a big deal to miss a PT session or RT treatment, but I certainly don't want to miss doctor visits, be it the specialist, resident, whatever. And finally, if I'm not there, my son would tend to sit in front of the TV....all...day...long... I try to keep him busy with games, activities, reading as well as TV so his brain doesn't turn to mush while he's there! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"></P>
<P> </P>
<P>But you know who will be the BEST voice for you right now are the adults on this board. Hopefully you will hear from them at what age they stayed alone for a while, how they felt about it, and wether or not they ever wished their mom had stayed. As much as we like to believe our sweet little angels want us with them 24/7, they do grow up and there becomes such a thing as too much togetherness! I'm probably nearing that point, so I will be interested to hear the responses you recieve.</P>
<P> </P>
<P>Great topic!</P>
T
TonyaH
Guest
<P>That is a VERY good question! My son is 13 and has been hospitalized 9 times. His average stay is about 3 to 4 days long, with the longest beeing one week. I have not left him alone yet. </P>
<P></P>
<P>Aside from simply not wanting him to feel lonely or abandoned, I also agree that doctors sometimes make changes without me knowing, and I have to ask the nurse to get the doctor for me so I can discuss the change with them. There are so many people on a CF team that are in and out all day long. It wouldn't really be a big deal to miss a PT session or RT treatment, but I certainly don't want to miss doctor visits, be it the specialist, resident, whatever. And finally, if I'm not there, my son would tend to sit in front of the TV....all...day...long... I try to keep him busy with games, activities, reading as well as TV so his brain doesn't turn to mush while he's there! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"></P>
<P></P>
<P>But you know who will be the BEST voice for you right now are the adults on this board. Hopefully you will hear from them at what age they stayed alone for a while, how they felt about it, and wether or not they ever wished their mom had stayed. As much as we like to believe oursweet little angels want us with them 24/7, they do grow up and there becomes such a thing as too much togetherness! I'm probably nearing that point, so I will be interested to hear the responses you recieve.</P>
<P></P>
<P>Great topic!</P>
<P></P>
<P>Aside from simply not wanting him to feel lonely or abandoned, I also agree that doctors sometimes make changes without me knowing, and I have to ask the nurse to get the doctor for me so I can discuss the change with them. There are so many people on a CF team that are in and out all day long. It wouldn't really be a big deal to miss a PT session or RT treatment, but I certainly don't want to miss doctor visits, be it the specialist, resident, whatever. And finally, if I'm not there, my son would tend to sit in front of the TV....all...day...long... I try to keep him busy with games, activities, reading as well as TV so his brain doesn't turn to mush while he's there! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"></P>
<P></P>
<P>But you know who will be the BEST voice for you right now are the adults on this board. Hopefully you will hear from them at what age they stayed alone for a while, how they felt about it, and wether or not they ever wished their mom had stayed. As much as we like to believe oursweet little angels want us with them 24/7, they do grow up and there becomes such a thing as too much togetherness! I'm probably nearing that point, so I will be interested to hear the responses you recieve.</P>
<P></P>
<P>Great topic!</P>
T
TonyaH
Guest
<P><BR>That is a VERY good question! My son is 13 and has been hospitalized 9 times. His average stay is about 3 to 4 days long, with the longest beeing one week. I have not left him alone yet. </P>
<P></P>
<P>Aside from simply not wanting him to feel lonely or abandoned, I also agree that doctors sometimes make changes without me knowing, and I have to ask the nurse to get the doctor for me so I can discuss the change with them. There are so many people on a CF team that are in and out all day long. It wouldn't really be a big deal to miss a PT session or RT treatment, but I certainly don't want to miss doctor visits, be it the specialist, resident, whatever. And finally, if I'm not there, my son would tend to sit in front of the TV....all...day...long... I try to keep him busy with games, activities, reading as well as TV so his brain doesn't turn to mush while he's there! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"></P>
<P></P>
<P>But you know who will be the BEST voice for you right now are the adults on this board. Hopefully you will hear from them at what age they stayed alone for a while, how they felt about it, and wether or not they ever wished their mom had stayed. As much as we like to believe oursweet little angels want us with them 24/7, they do grow up and there becomes such a thing as too much togetherness! I'm probably nearing that point, so I will be interested to hear the responses you recieve.</P>
<P></P>
<P>Great topic!</P>
<P></P>
<P>Aside from simply not wanting him to feel lonely or abandoned, I also agree that doctors sometimes make changes without me knowing, and I have to ask the nurse to get the doctor for me so I can discuss the change with them. There are so many people on a CF team that are in and out all day long. It wouldn't really be a big deal to miss a PT session or RT treatment, but I certainly don't want to miss doctor visits, be it the specialist, resident, whatever. And finally, if I'm not there, my son would tend to sit in front of the TV....all...day...long... I try to keep him busy with games, activities, reading as well as TV so his brain doesn't turn to mush while he's there! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"></P>
<P></P>
<P>But you know who will be the BEST voice for you right now are the adults on this board. Hopefully you will hear from them at what age they stayed alone for a while, how they felt about it, and wether or not they ever wished their mom had stayed. As much as we like to believe oursweet little angels want us with them 24/7, they do grow up and there becomes such a thing as too much togetherness! I'm probably nearing that point, so I will be interested to hear the responses you recieve.</P>
<P></P>
<P>Great topic!</P>
DS was 6 the last time he was in the hospital for 3 weeks. Observing other patients/parents at that time -- there were some preteens whose parents were there 24/7. Teenagers -- the parents usually came in some time in the morning -- slept elsewhere -- and spent the day, most of the evening.
Even when DS was an infant, I ran into a colleague whose teenage son was in the hospital for back surgery and who had a daughter who'd been hospitalized in the past due to interstitial lung disease and he said they never left their children alone, that one of them always staed. Guess it depends upon the situation, but I know of spouses who still stay as well.
Even when DS was an infant, I ran into a colleague whose teenage son was in the hospital for back surgery and who had a daughter who'd been hospitalized in the past due to interstitial lung disease and he said they never left their children alone, that one of them always staed. Guess it depends upon the situation, but I know of spouses who still stay as well.
DS was 6 the last time he was in the hospital for 3 weeks. Observing other patients/parents at that time -- there were some preteens whose parents were there 24/7. Teenagers -- the parents usually came in some time in the morning -- slept elsewhere -- and spent the day, most of the evening.
Even when DS was an infant, I ran into a colleague whose teenage son was in the hospital for back surgery and who had a daughter who'd been hospitalized in the past due to interstitial lung disease and he said they never left their children alone, that one of them always staed. Guess it depends upon the situation, but I know of spouses who still stay as well.
Even when DS was an infant, I ran into a colleague whose teenage son was in the hospital for back surgery and who had a daughter who'd been hospitalized in the past due to interstitial lung disease and he said they never left their children alone, that one of them always staed. Guess it depends upon the situation, but I know of spouses who still stay as well.
DS was 6 the last time he was in the hospital for 3 weeks. Observing other patients/parents at that time -- there were some preteens whose parents were there 24/7. Teenagers -- the parents usually came in some time in the morning -- slept elsewhere -- and spent the day, most of the evening.
<br />
<br />Even when DS was an infant, I ran into a colleague whose teenage son was in the hospital for back surgery and who had a daughter who'd been hospitalized in the past due to interstitial lung disease and he said they never left their children alone, that one of them always staed. Guess it depends upon the situation, but I know of spouses who still stay as well.
<br />
<br />Even when DS was an infant, I ran into a colleague whose teenage son was in the hospital for back surgery and who had a daughter who'd been hospitalized in the past due to interstitial lung disease and he said they never left their children alone, that one of them always staed. Guess it depends upon the situation, but I know of spouses who still stay as well.
A
alluneedislove
Guest
As a Cf patient myself. I would not leave her there by herself unless your running to the cafe or something. I was 15 when diagnosed and needed my mom with me. When i turned 18 i went by myself but would still have people come visit me. Now when i go at 27 yrs old its like a mini vacation. haha i enjoy all the quiet time!
A
alluneedislove
Guest
As a Cf patient myself. I would not leave her there by herself unless your running to the cafe or something. I was 15 when diagnosed and needed my mom with me. When i turned 18 i went by myself but would still have people come visit me. Now when i go at 27 yrs old its like a mini vacation. haha i enjoy all the quiet time!
A
alluneedislove
Guest
As a Cf patient myself. I would not leave her there by herself unless your running to the cafe or something. I was 15 when diagnosed and needed my mom with me. When i turned 18 i went by myself but would still have people come visit me. Now when i go at 27 yrs old its like a mini vacation. haha i enjoy all the quiet time!
E
edan
Guest
After experiencing my 3 year old in the hospital last year, and all of the staff's interaction with her, I would NEVER leave her alone. There were too many people coming in and out of there that in my opinion just didn't get it.
1.) She complained her iv hurt....they left it in long enough for her allergic reaction to the tape to cause significant blistering damage.
2.) Most of the RT staff was "training" and clearly didn't take the whole cross contamination thing to heart so I would have to remind them in some cases to keep things santized.
3.) Once a doctor, trying to be cute, sat on her bed and started wrestling with her. HELLO? There were other CFrs with pseudomonas and MRSA on the floor and he was making his rounds to see them too. I about fell over and changed her bedding as soon as he left.
Basically you are your own child's advocate and no one will do as good of a job as you at keeping your child's best interests at heart.
Hope this helps,
Edan.
1.) She complained her iv hurt....they left it in long enough for her allergic reaction to the tape to cause significant blistering damage.
2.) Most of the RT staff was "training" and clearly didn't take the whole cross contamination thing to heart so I would have to remind them in some cases to keep things santized.
3.) Once a doctor, trying to be cute, sat on her bed and started wrestling with her. HELLO? There were other CFrs with pseudomonas and MRSA on the floor and he was making his rounds to see them too. I about fell over and changed her bedding as soon as he left.
Basically you are your own child's advocate and no one will do as good of a job as you at keeping your child's best interests at heart.
Hope this helps,
Edan.
E
edan
Guest
After experiencing my 3 year old in the hospital last year, and all of the staff's interaction with her, I would NEVER leave her alone. There were too many people coming in and out of there that in my opinion just didn't get it.
1.) She complained her iv hurt....they left it in long enough for her allergic reaction to the tape to cause significant blistering damage.
2.) Most of the RT staff was "training" and clearly didn't take the whole cross contamination thing to heart so I would have to remind them in some cases to keep things santized.
3.) Once a doctor, trying to be cute, sat on her bed and started wrestling with her. HELLO? There were other CFrs with pseudomonas and MRSA on the floor and he was making his rounds to see them too. I about fell over and changed her bedding as soon as he left.
Basically you are your own child's advocate and no one will do as good of a job as you at keeping your child's best interests at heart.
Hope this helps,
Edan.
1.) She complained her iv hurt....they left it in long enough for her allergic reaction to the tape to cause significant blistering damage.
2.) Most of the RT staff was "training" and clearly didn't take the whole cross contamination thing to heart so I would have to remind them in some cases to keep things santized.
3.) Once a doctor, trying to be cute, sat on her bed and started wrestling with her. HELLO? There were other CFrs with pseudomonas and MRSA on the floor and he was making his rounds to see them too. I about fell over and changed her bedding as soon as he left.
Basically you are your own child's advocate and no one will do as good of a job as you at keeping your child's best interests at heart.
Hope this helps,
Edan.
E
edan
Guest
After experiencing my 3 year old in the hospital last year, and all of the staff's interaction with her, I would NEVER leave her alone. There were too many people coming in and out of there that in my opinion just didn't get it.
<br />
<br />1.) She complained her iv hurt....they left it in long enough for her allergic reaction to the tape to cause significant blistering damage.
<br />
<br />2.) Most of the RT staff was "training" and clearly didn't take the whole cross contamination thing to heart so I would have to remind them in some cases to keep things santized.
<br />
<br />3.) Once a doctor, trying to be cute, sat on her bed and started wrestling with her. HELLO? There were other CFrs with pseudomonas and MRSA on the floor and he was making his rounds to see them too. I about fell over and changed her bedding as soon as he left.
<br />
<br />Basically you are your own child's advocate and no one will do as good of a job as you at keeping your child's best interests at heart.
<br />
<br />Hope this helps,
<br />
<br />Edan.
<br />
<br />1.) She complained her iv hurt....they left it in long enough for her allergic reaction to the tape to cause significant blistering damage.
<br />
<br />2.) Most of the RT staff was "training" and clearly didn't take the whole cross contamination thing to heart so I would have to remind them in some cases to keep things santized.
<br />
<br />3.) Once a doctor, trying to be cute, sat on her bed and started wrestling with her. HELLO? There were other CFrs with pseudomonas and MRSA on the floor and he was making his rounds to see them too. I about fell over and changed her bedding as soon as he left.
<br />
<br />Basically you are your own child's advocate and no one will do as good of a job as you at keeping your child's best interests at heart.
<br />
<br />Hope this helps,
<br />
<br />Edan.
M
Mommafirst
Guest
Other than a quick trip to get something to eat, I don't leave my daughter and don't plan to for some time. She doesn't like when I leave at all, and try to wait until she has fallen asleep to do so. I imagine as she gets older I will be able to take a trip to the parent center for a shower or something. But for the reasons stated above, I won't leave for long periods until my daughter is in control of her own health decisions and is responsible for discussing her care with her docs herself. Even then, if she wants me there I will do everything in my power to stay.
M
Mommafirst
Guest
Other than a quick trip to get something to eat, I don't leave my daughter and don't plan to for some time. She doesn't like when I leave at all, and try to wait until she has fallen asleep to do so. I imagine as she gets older I will be able to take a trip to the parent center for a shower or something. But for the reasons stated above, I won't leave for long periods until my daughter is in control of her own health decisions and is responsible for discussing her care with her docs herself. Even then, if she wants me there I will do everything in my power to stay.