My
9 Secrets For The Best Hospital Experience
1. Your nurses are your key
– Your number one contact is your RN or primary nurse. They will generally be
working in shifts of 8 to 12 hours. You should get to know them personally.
Chat with them so that they can get to know you, too; not just as a patient but
as a person. This will enrich both your experience and theirs. But, most of
all, tell them every day how much you appreciate them and how much their hard
work and care of you, is helping you get better.
Be open and honest with
them about what you need and how you feel. Your nurses will always take the
time to explain to procedures, medicines and reactions you may be experiencing or
they will find someone who can.
2. You are your own best advocate
– A hospital stay, short or long, simple or complex, often involves lots of
different people: doctors, nurses, aides, volunteers, chaplains, technicians,
food service, housekeeping and more. It’s a dance in which they all dance to
the tune that you --- your body--- is playing. It involves lots of paperwork,
records, scanning your wrist band, hand sanitizing, gloves, tubing, beeping
machines, meals and more. I suggest that you write things down, if you can.
And, do not be afraid to ask, “Tell me just what this is or what we are doing
next.”
You should understand
what you need to do in order to heal and set goals leading up to being
discharged from the hospital. You might also keep in mind that you are an
active, not passive, part of the treatment and recovery process.
The staff actually really
appreciates that you are on top of things. And, remember, every hospital has staff
that you might not even be aware of that can help a lot. There are nutritionists,
charge nurses [head nurse on the floor] and patient advocates. Don’t think that
you are a trouble-maker by asking their opinion or help. They are on your side in
helping you make the fastest and most successful recovery. By you being aware
and working with your care givers, you all benefit.
3. There Is No Honor In Pain
– I have learned that after three back surgeries and another surgery a couple
years ago, that actually trying to tough out pain instead of asking for help,
can hinder healing. Tell your nurse how you really feel! Don’t grin and bear
it.
4. Plants and flowers and gifts
– You might be surprised to find out that some patients should not have plants
and flowers in their room; and, not just ICU patients. So ask and let your
friends and family know what your doctor and nurse recommend. Fruit bouquets
are a wonderful idea for the office but not a good idea for the hospital.
5. Visiting –
I love visitors. However, I suggest that you call or text ahead if you plan to
visit a friend or family member in the hospital. If you are the patient, you
are in the hospital for a reason, no matter how “great” your friend says you
look. So, appropriately limit your visit. It could be 10 or 15 minutes or maybe
even 40 minutes and it can vary by day. However, I still love seeing you. Also,
make sure you know the rules which may mean a mask and hand sanitizing. It is
not a good idea to bring babies to the hospital since there are so many germs
especially on floors.
6.
Communication
is easy – As I walked the hall, I found a smartphone in the
hand of most patients; although, of course, there is a hospital phone for
patient use. However, it’s not very convenient. Check and see that a mobile
phone and even text messaging is not the best way to check in with a friend who
is in the hospital. For me, it is. And, hospitals do have Wi-Fi for your phone,
tablet or computer.
7.
It
may not be the same old backless outfit with umpteen ties –
In some cases, such as mine, you can wear your own clothes such as sweatpants,
t-shirt, slippers and shirt. If you are addicted to ball caps, that maybe fine
too. The point is, the rules are different today, so ask and make yourself
comfortable. However, be aware that if there is an emergency, and you are wearing
your favorite Chicago Bears shirt, the surgeon will likely cut it right up the
middle. You might even bring your
favorite pillow or blanket from home. It sure makes it homier! But, ask your
nurse.
8. Try and maintain a normal schedule
– I believe that it really helps to get up at the same time you usually do at
home and go to sleep about the same time. Sure, it’s different in the hospital
and you might not feel like it or even be able to, but I think anything similar
to your normal routine can help you mentally and physically. If you are
normally active, set some goals regarding walking around the floor.
I had a goal to walk at
least a mile every day even though on some days one lap [one eight of a mile at
Sherman Hospital] was all I could do. Just do what your body is telling you.
9. Recovery Is A 3-Legged Stool
– Those legs are your doctors, your attitude and your faith.
Your doctors
and the hospital staff are the team leaders.
A positive, can-do,
happy, friendly and thankful attitude
is
critical. Forget the ‘why me.’ There’s absolutely no value in worrying about
that. Your friends and family can also make a dramatic impact on your attitude.
I can’t tell you how
wonderful the cards, emails, text messages, calls and visits have helped me through
my journey with cancer. It’s is just more uplifting than you can image to know
that those around you are with you in thought and prayer.
The 3rd leg of your stool
is your
faith. How can you get through simple challenges let alone cancer such
as I have without also depending on your personal faith? Without that, the
stool tumbles down! In fact, if you remove any leg and it topples.
I feel a lack of faith can
limit recovery. For most, God is the key along with prayer, isn’t it? For me, knowing
that I probably had hundreds of people praying for me, holding me and Dawn up
to our Father in prayer constantly was a key to moving ahead.
Bob
Marcom
Written
after over 30 days in Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois.
March-April,
2015
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