Hospital stays:
Hospital stays cannot be avoided, but they can be made easier!
Bribery
Bribing nurses with cupcakes and cookies really does help your care. Have someone bring them or order them to your floor at the beginning of your stay.
No jewelry
Do not wear your jewelry or bring anything valuable to the hospital. Wear a plain band instead of your wedding rings. Things do disappear, especially when you are losing weight and finger sizes change.
Comfort
Bring body wipes, face wipes, hand lotion, and a good smelling room spray. Feeling clean and nice makes a difference and you cannot always shower or get to the bathroom.
Decorate
Make yourself more comfortable. At one point, we brought in a lamp because the lighting was so dreadful and depressing.
Hang up pictures of your kids on the bulletin board – a not-so-subtle way of reminding people you are a parent of young kids.
Visitors/Helpers
It is often hard to be alone in the hospital. If you are recovering from treatment or an operation, it is often best to have someone with you who can call the nurse or hand you a drink.
For each hospital stay, have your point person send out a sign-up schedule (to a select group) and have them sign up for shifts. Always fill the schedule two days beyond you anticipated leave date. You can always cancel because you have gone home, but its very hard to get last minute help when you are hopped up on painkillers.
This ensures you have someone with you and allows your spouse to be with the kids, especially overnight. The hospital will provide a roll-a-way before for your helper to sleep on.
Meals
It it not uncommon to find yourself or your helper to find themselves in a hospital without any food or cafeteria. Most hospital cafeterias close by 6pm or 9pm.
Before your stay, check and see who delivers to the hospital and what time they close! Also, bring snacks and bottles of water.