Surviving Your Child's Hospital Stay

by Teresa McEntire | More from this Blogger

11 Apr 2006 03:32 PM

My four-year old daughter had surgery last week and we spent the night in the hospital. The hospital stay actually went quite well because I was prepared. My daughter is recovering well.

Explain what is going to happen:

Before going to the hospital explain to your child where you are going, try to keep things as positive so your child doesn't get scared. If they ask questions be as honest as possible. Don't say it won't hurt when you know it will, this builds mistrust.

I told my daughter that she was going to the hospital and the doctor was going to make it so that she could talk better. (The surgery was on her palate and throat to improve her speech.) I told her that when she woke up her throat would hurt but she would get lots of ice cream, popsicles, and pudding. I also explained that she and Mommy would be having a sleepover at the hospital.

What to bring to the hospital:

Things to bring for you:

• Pajamas
• Pillow - the hospital ones aren't very comfortable
• Snacks - you can purchase these in the vending machines
• Toiletries - most rooms have a shower and towels available that you can use
• Change of clothing
• Cash - for the vending machines and the cafeteria
• Book to read or project to work on - you will spend a lot of time waiting in the operation waiting room during the procedure and while your child sleeps later
• A spare change of clothes in case you get thrown up on - which my daughter did

Things to bring for your child:

• Favorite stuffed animal
• Favorite blanket
• Pajamas to wear later
• Craft activities to do - I bought a drawing set and wrapped it up for her to open
• Books to read
• Any cards or gifts family or friends have given
• Any favorite snacks - if allowed by the doctor

When you are leaving the hospital:

Before you leave the hospital make sure that you read the prescription and discharge information carefully. Also double check to make sure that your prescriptions have been called in correctly.

I did not read the information or double check the prescriptions because my daughter and her two-year old sister were both crying and I was trying to get through the process as quickly as possible.

As a result the wrong medicine was called in and bought by my husband. The nurse had called in the first prescription containing codeine, which my doctor had changed after I told her that codeine might make my daughter sick. So I had to call the hospital and get the right prescription called in. Thankfully the hospital refunded us the money for the incorrect prescription.

I also didn't notice that the antibiotic, which was titled Penicillin/Clavulanate Potassium on the information sheet was actually Augmentin, which makes my daughter sick. So I had to call the on-call doctor that evening and get a different prescription.

After we got the prescription's right, things settled down and I can say that my daughter survived her first overnight stay at the hospital and it wasn't too bad.

Learn more about Teresa McEntire

Teresa McEntire grew up in Utah the oldest of four children. She currently lives in Kuna, Idaho, near Boise. She and her husband Gene have been married for almost ten years.

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