Our child has gone HSHS SJCH for a variety of treatments for a chronic medical condition over the past ten years. She loves the staff (“I like all of them!”) and when she was little she would commonly say, “I want to go to St. John’s Children’s Hospital, they have toys there!” We make the most of our quality time there as she receives care on treatment days and does so with grace and bravery. Here are some tips we find helpful when we know it’s time for a hospital stay:
- Pack plenty of snacks for you and your child. Even though they offer 24-Hour Room service, it’s always nice to have some alternatives ready to go. The Hop N’Go cafe on the first floor is also great for quick snacks, drinks and healthy options.
- Bring comfy clothes, socks, underwear and changes of clothes to wear in addition to the hospital gowns.
- They have a variety of movies to watch in the rooms at SJCH, but we also bring our favorites from home, and plenty of phone and laptop chargers.
- When we can, we ask permission to go to the play room. It’s a wonderful place where the kids can be kids and forget they are in the hospital.
- If your child has an IV, you can request an IV wagon and stroll around the halls for some exercise and change of venue.The outdoor patio, called the Healing Garden, off the playroom is a nice place to take a deep breath and breathe some fresh air, literally!
- Need something to do? The child life specialist and nursing staff can provide coloring pages, crafts and various toys to borrow during your stay. Certain days there are special visitors: pet therapy, music therapy and more.
- Need a resource? Ask for the Parent Advocate and she can help guide you to the resources you need.
- For older kids, there is a teen lounge too, and they will like the technology room as well.
- Rest with your child. A nap and snuggle time in bed with your child is the best medicine for everyone.
- Call your friends and invite them to visit. When we have been in for longer periods of time, the personal visits from friends have been a wonderful perk in the day!
Submitted by Kim Leistner Root mother to Amanda and Vanessa.
