Liver
Hospital life
December 17, 2020
in Liver
Hey friends,
after some apparently concerning labs yesterday with elevated liver enzymes I was admitted to the hospital. It’s looking like I’ll need a stent surgery. I’m alone because of Covid, and this is a whole new experience for me.
share with me your tips, tricks, memes, love and support!
1 - 10 of 10 Replies
Transplant Patient
@AliEm14 what a difficult time to have this issue - and I totally get how you must be scared and feel alone but know that you have so many out there who want you to get well fast! Let us know how it goes and how you feel - share and let us help as you go though this. Try to be nice to yourself - allow for treats and set up little rewards - that is how I always dealt w my hospital stays - )
@AliEm14 π
@AliEm14 so sorry you're going through this! I've been admitted for 9 days during the pandemic, so I understand how it can be lonely. I tried to look at the positives and think of it as an opportunity to really rest, catch up on sleep and prioritize my recovery without having to focus on entertaining visitors. If you're able to walk around, I found chatting with the nurses to help pass the time too.
I too was hospitalized in August of this year. I know it’s very depressing being alone but my phone was my lifesaver. I FaceTimed and talked to family and friends all day and kept my husband updated every few hours. Hope you feel better soon! I’m sure the staff will help you all they can. Best of luck. February 2020
Transplant Patient
@Deb i agree, so grateful for technology.
I’ve also found having something to do with my hands, like play dough or easy colouring books, helps too. The more sensory stimulation I can get that isn’t hospital related the better I seem to do
When I had my transplant I was more prepared and I took magazines and I love Saduku puzzles too. But when you get admitted unexpectedly it’s hard. But I love the coloring idea I do that some now just to relax.
Transplant Patient
I was so prepared for my actual transplant admission - and then I ended up in the ICU and was asleep almost the whole time! I didn't realize how exhausted I would be right after transplant, and the only thing I did was eat, do my therapies and sleep. Every time before that one when I've been in the hospital I've been so sick that all I wanted to do was sleep, so it was really strange feeling relatively ok and being in the hospital. For the first time I actually felt bored, and like I had nothing to do!
I would take boredom over feeling bad any day. Haha My first week was rough but I was so lucky to have friends and family with most every day and that keep me going. Mine was pre Covid, thank God!! I hope you’re doing well and no more visits in the near future.
Transplant Patient
I think it’s kind of ironic we had this discussion right before I was hospitalized again. I spent the first few days really sick and just slept all the time. I was also in isolation until my Covid test came back (negative!). When I did start improving I started doing short walks. I also have a hospital care kit my husband was able to bring to me. I also found I really enjoy people watching in the hospital. Especially in the ER. Now that I’m on the transplant floor again I see people in the same place I was 6 months ago just learning to walk again so I’ve made signs and I’ll sit in my wheelchair in the doorway and encourage them as they walk past. Sometimes you just need a cheerleader
I had tons of hospital stays, long and short term.
Get your own Amazon.com hospital socks, maybe even scrub pants/gowns depending on your length of stay. My feet were freezing especially with neuropathy post transplant. I wanted to thick, plush, cozy socks vs cheap thin hospital socks that don't fit the way I like.
I learned to bring 1" pieces of matching velcro (had a go bag ready at all times). The hospital bed remotes fall to the floor just out of reach like 7 times per day and gets very old. I'd stick to the remote and a section of bed where it was convenient.
I would also bring a "grabber" which I got during a wheelchair period so I could get things I couldn't reach. VERY handy when not very mobile in hospital bed.
ABSOLUTELY use hair removal cream all over body - everywhere - EVERYWHERE.... if you know you will be or even could end up in a hospital. I'd be willing to be that no "hospital stay" story has ever end with: "Fortunately, I had body hair"
Pack your own toothbrush
Bring dental floss or those new style ones. You can be stuck for hours trying to get that 1 thing out of your teeth using anything you can find
Bring lip stuff like blistex. When you need it then you really really want it
For longer stays you can have food delivered. My sister far away was ordering grocery store items and the store delivered to the hospital. Nothing like oreos, grapes, apples, beef jerky and gummie bears, whatever drinks you want - when your stuck with hospital food and feel like crap
Hospitals are now corporate for the most part. Many nurses are just there for the pay vs other career options. Don't expect 5 star service. When you get a good nurse let her know as they are not always the norm. Be prepared to be on your own without help at times when you really really wish they would come. Toughen up. Realize it may be uncomfortable but you will get thru it and it will end. Not to scare anyone. But it just is what it is.
Hopefully you have somebody on your side who visits often. Those people can fight for you when you are less mentally able.
After a few surgeries, I started writing NO IV in sharpie inside my elbows. Its so hard to do anything, especially get any good sleep, with IV tubes in that location. But its their goto spot. They can do forearms, back of hands for IV's
These are what comes to mind for right now