I always wondered what you would do if you had to take your child to the emergency room. Would you hop in the car, blood spurting, leg bending backwards and race as fast as you can? Maybe. We luckily haven't had those kind of emergencies. My pediatrician told me once about a woman who was convinced she could get her baby to the ER faster than waiting for an ambulance, it was the wrong choice-- Don't try this, paramedics know what they are doing and can do it while driving- you can't. If it is truly life and death, get the help you or your loved one needs.
However, over the past 11 years of parenting we've logged in more than our fair share of non-life threatening but Emergency Room worthy hospital time. After this past weeks visit I thought, "I'm getting good at this! I should blog about it!" So, here are my tips for "enjoying" your E.R./ hospital stay.
If you do have time, it is worth taking 5 minutes before rushing out the door to grab a few things. These are my essentials:
- A blanket for the child, hospitals think a sheet is a blanket! Something cozy and familiar makes sleeping somewhere foreign much nicer. Also, binkies, teddy bear, American Girl Dolls. ;) Whatever is their "lovey".
- Clean clothes for you both (really, you are likely to get bled on, puked on, spilled on, or end up staying longer than you expected and want to freshen up.) Don't forget dry underwear for your kiddo. Honestly, even the child that never has accidents, when there is an I.V., new meds can surprise you... it is worth it to have extras.
- Cozy socks and a sweater. Hospitals are cold year round, especially at night!
- Glasses/contact case, make up or at least lip gloss
- Insurance info and cell phone (this probably should be closer to the top, but they have all this stuff already!)
- entertainment. We "frequent" a children's hospital (one of the best!) but even still, it is nice to have some books, stickers, coloring stuff, nintendo ds....
- Entertainment for you and maybe some snacks. Your child will not be able to eat till a doctor ok's it, but you might get hungry and might not want to leave your child alone to track down a candy bar... (I'm thinking I might be the only one who can't go anywhere without packing enough food in her purse to not be starving... I take food everywhere, so maybe skip this and go to number 8.)
- Money for vending machines! :)
- Be really nice. It pays. People are nice to you when you are nice to them. It would seem logical, but when you are stressed sometimes it is easy to over react about little things.
- Listen to the names of the people who are caring for your child. Repeat them and use them. This isn't' just nice, but helps when "Mary" comes in to start an i.v. and you can say "Anne" just said we were going for x-rays before putting in the iv. Or whatever. It helps.
- Ask questions and write things down. You are your child's advocate! Make sure you understand what is happening.
- Eat! Our hospital lets you buy meals to be delivered with your child's. They are reasonably priced, but I tend to "over order" for her not knowing what she would eat, then I finish it off. I think my husband orders a meal of his own... either way, it is important to not be starving! (again, I'm probably just going back to that irrational fear of going hungry... do what works for you!)
- Once your child is settled, get your own needs met. This past week we were spending the night in the emergency observation department. There was a stretcher for my girl and a chair for me. Not even a soft chair. I cheerfully asked if there was anything more comfortable I could sit on and they brought in a lovely chair/bed thingy. So much nicer for the next 18 hours!
Last of all, It is all about Perspective. We've driven to the emergency room, we've taken ambulances, we've even arrived in a helicopter, but each time, it only takes a minute to realize how blessed we are to be able to get such outstanding care. This week, I watched at least 4 stretchers being wheeled in, kids with neck braces, hustling paramedics and sobbing parents trailing after them. There is just something about a Children's Hospital... if you think your life stinks, go, walk around for an hour and count your many blessings.
10 comments:
You know way too much about this stuff. But thank you for sharing your expertise! I agree with every point, especially the fact that hosptials are always freezing, and you will probably be there much longer than expected.
Also, I always have food in my purse. Right now I have mixed nuts, healthy trail mix, pretzels, 4 dum-dum pops, a sour licorice, and half a Special K Protein bar. I tell myself that it is for my kids. I use it to get through Target without shouting at them. Usually works!
This post is great. I've got one kiddo that has a heart problem and so I have to take him to the ER frequently. I've learned the hard way about extra clothes for both of us after a few times of having to wear scrubs home and taking him home wrapped up in a blanket we "borrowed" from the hospital. I usually take along a little musical stuffed animal thing he has (he's 20 months) and he enjoys snuggling with it and listening to the music. One time the therapy dogs came by and he LOVED it when they put the dog on his bed with him and he got to pet it.
I always throw my glasses and contact case in my purse too....my eyes always dry out when I'm in the ER.
De-lurking to say excellent advice! I average about 1 visit a year, so sadly I know I'll have to implement some of your tips.
We haven't had an ER visit--yet--but I appreciate the tips. I'm going to print this out and put it up in my medicine cabinet.
I like Jess' idea of printing this out and putting taping it inside the medicine cabinet! Great idea.
Amazingly profound, Melissa! And to think that you were raised with rarely even a doctor's visit, let alone any sort of hospital visit. Wait . . . there was that eye surgery thing, wasn't there? See? With time, all of these traumatic events dim and you nearly forget about them. This is truly great acvice, and hopefully the sort that will seldom be needed. Thanks!
Wow, this was a really great post. I will remember the tip about knowing names...that's a good one!
Mellisa-
Thank you! This is brilliant and I appreciate you sharing.
awesome post. precious, darling, sweet, wonderful little girl in hosp. bed.
A helicopter?! Wow. You really are the expert. I am sorry that you are the expert. If I ever have to go to ER (we've been there for minor stitches) I will call you so you can remind me of all this excellent advice.
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