Currently, we are sitting in our 12th inpatient stay. Almost 100 days since March we have sat in a hospital room, I've crashed on a rock hard couch, had good days, had bad days, eaten gross hospital food, and I feel compelled to share some hospital survival tips with you. I hope you never need them. But for those of you who find yourself in these situations, you somehow make it through.
Here's how I do it.
Build Relationships
Nurses can be your best friends. They will be with you for every milestone, every terrible experience, sleepless night, or stubborn doctor. Be nice to them. But also, use them. It is their job to help you. Nurses have been some of the best advocates for Easton and we wouldn't be where we are today without a few amazing people. We've had good nurses and crappy ones, and I can tell you, it makes a difference. Use the nursing assistants, too. Every 4 hours they come take Easton's vitals and before they leave they ask if I need anything. For a long time, "I'm good" was my answer no matter what. I've gotten better at asking for a new pitcher of water or blankets/sheets each time. It is their job to help you, and when you are caught under a sick kiddo, going downstairs to the cafeteria for ice water really isn't possible. Build relationships with others on your floor. Say hi to that parent. Give that kiddo a high five. I've built some relationships in the hospital that I am so thankful for.
Get Ready
When we are inpatient, what I look like is the least of my concerns. But, just to keep a sense of normalcy and to look like a decent human being, I have my morning routine. Get up, get dressed, do something with my hair, brush my teeth. Now, if you ever been in the hospital or had a baby, you know that fitting in those activities in can be tough. Ido them the first chance I get. That way by the time the doctors round, my teeth are at least clean. You may also think, "why do I need to get dressed? We are in the hospital, no one cares what I look like." I thought this for a long time. A sweatshirt and leggings can go from sleep to day pretty easily and you feel you don't need to change. However, I have found that changing clothes every morning makes me feel ready for the day. Even if that just means changing sweatshirts and switching out my sweatpants for leggings!
Drink up
Coffee. I don't think this needs much explanation. I didn't drink coffee a year ago. I drink LOTS of coffee now. With all that coffee, please hydrate yourself. Like I mentioned before, asking people to bring in cold water every few hours helps. So does keeping a water bottle near you at all times. I love my 2B mindset bottle.
Smile
Smile at everyone. Maybe its a Minnesota nice thing. Maybe its McClure thing. Maybe I'm just crazy. Smiling at everyone in the hallway, the family lounge, our room, the lobby, literally everyone just helps my mindset. No matter how bad my mood is, I smile. Some smiles have been so genuine and happy. Some smiles have been so forced on the worst day. Some have been through tears. Some have been while carrying a screaming baby. But still, I smile. Negative will get you no where. Also, you never know who needs a smile.
Exercise
I know you can't usually go workout in the hospital. But don't sit around all day. It will make you feel like crap. Stand up, dance to some music, stretch your legs, go for walks (if you can leave your room). Just move. the hospital is a very stressful and tiring place. But it is also a very boring place. A lot of times you are waiting. waiting for things to get better, a medication to start working, a test result, just waiting. Get up and move (walks are a great time to smile at people too).
Stay connected
Find people that you can talk to outside the hospital. Whether you talk about their day or your day, it is good to let your mind be off the hospital for just a few minutes a day. Don't cut yourself off from the outside world. "Hospital time" is very strange. some days feel like weeks. Sometimes it is 6am and then 8pm in the blink of an eye. It can be a little debilitating. Keeping up with things outside the hospital helps me keep grounded and level headed.
Bring things from home
yes, hospitals have sheets and blankets and pillows. But they are scratchy and stiff. Yes, the hospital has shampoo. But have you ever washed your hair with a "shampoo and body wash"? Not good. Bring your own clothes, slippers, books, movies, blankets, all the comfort items! For long stays I like to bring pictures to put on the door and even a yoga mat to sit on the floor and play with Easton. It is the little comfort items that can make a stay much more enjoyable.
Do what works for you
I sleep in the room with Easton. This works for us. Easton usually has rougher nights and I like to be close just because of Easton's complexities. However, that doesn't mean that sleeping in the room works for everyone. Some people need to leave the hospital to sleep and clear their head. And that is perfectly okay. Hospital stays and medical situations are so unique and whatever works for you is what is best.
Just take things one day at a time. An hour at a time. One minute at a time if you have to. You'll get through it and be strong than before!
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