I can always predict when I will be hospitalized. Usually the preceding 2-3 doctor appointments in clinic foreshadow a hospitalization; my PFT's (pulmonary function tests, which measure various lung aspects/functions) drop at least 10%, if not more (the "norm" for me being ideally in the high 80's-low 90's or above), my weight dropping any amount, usually at least 5 pounds, and my blood sugars consistently measuring high, generally 250+. It's never really a surprise when I get admitted to the hospital, but that doesn't make it any easier when my doctor sends me in.
When I go into the hospital, they start me up with 4 treatments a day, an increase from my routine 3 treatments daily. They also put me on IV antibiotics, which is much easier and more convenient with my port. My blood sugars are monitored very closely, and usually my insulin regimen increases. Nurses are in and out and back in again every five minutes during the first day, maybe even two, to get me settled, ask a bunch of tedious, boring questions, get another set of vitals, along with height and weight, as if I didn't just do the exact same thing in clinic an hour before I came over to the hospital, and to sort out all of the medicines I take and what I will need to take in the hospital. The first days are the worst. Not that any of the days are fantastic in the hospital. But hey, you make the most of what you got, right?
Like having Sorry competitions with my mom (she cheats, don't let her tell you otherwise), or watching movies that no one has heard of, so the nurses can come in and watch with you, or going on walks around the beautiful hospital, or having coloring dates with your girlfriend. It's not all bad, I guess.
There are so many things to consider when I go in. What will I miss at school? How much homework will I have to make up? Are there events going on, whether in the family, at school, or extracurricular? This last question definitely had to be considered during my most recent hospitalization. As some may have heard and/or seen, I had to miss prom. Not only that, but the confirmation of my cousin Max, for whom I was a sponsor. When my doctor had offered the idea of me going into the hospital, a week and a day before prom (Thursday), I decided I could probably rebound back to my normal levels and get out for both prom and the confirmation.
Like having Sorry competitions with my mom (she cheats, don't let her tell you otherwise), or watching movies that no one has heard of, so the nurses can come in and watch with you, or going on walks around the beautiful hospital, or having coloring dates with your girlfriend. It's not all bad, I guess.
There are so many things to consider when I go in. What will I miss at school? How much homework will I have to make up? Are there events going on, whether in the family, at school, or extracurricular? This last question definitely had to be considered during my most recent hospitalization. As some may have heard and/or seen, I had to miss prom. Not only that, but the confirmation of my cousin Max, for whom I was a sponsor. When my doctor had offered the idea of me going into the hospital, a week and a day before prom (Thursday), I decided I could probably rebound back to my normal levels and get out for both prom and the confirmation.
No such luck.
Instead of lasting the short week I had expected it to, the hospitalization dragged on for two agonizing weeks, causing me to miss my junior prom and Max's confirmation.
I had felt like I let both my girlfriend Noelle and my cousin Max down. I knew (or at least hoped) they understood, but I was excited for both, and I knew they were, too.
The doctors at the hospital understood the situation and tried their hardest to get me out by the following Thursday, the day before prom. The nurses were even better and more supportive: they kept encouraging me and putting their two cents in to the docs as to why I should get out of there for the weekend. This really made the hospitalization a memorable one. Well, that and the prom they hosted, but that's for later in the blog.
Prior to this hospitalization, I had never really been in touch with the nurses. They came and went, and sure, I had my favorites. There were ones I preferred over others, ones I really didn't like, and some that didn't stick out at all. However, during this hospitalization I had AMAZING nurses almost every single shift, and to my luck, they were consistent with taking care of me; I had the same nurses for a few days in a row, so I got to know them better, while they got to know me. This definitely helped in my care and in my hospitalization in general. I felt like I really made friends with the nurses, something I had never done before, unlike my fellow CF-ers, who seem to know every single nurse at their hospital first and last name!
In general, the doctors usually only come around once a day, and don't usually get to know me as well. This is not to say they're not as good or friendly as the nurses, just not as close and personal to me. They approach my hospital stay with a very professional, medical standpoint, as they should, which provides me with almost an uncomfortable, bad connotation with them. It feels as if I can't be as relaxed around them, I have to make sure I answer everything the way they want to hear it, and I'm actually almost intimidated by them. In the hospital, I really don't like when the doctors come in. It sounds silly, because they're taking care of me and they're the ones who make decisions which help me get healthy, but whenever they do come in, I'm reminded I'm not on vacation in the really awesome rooms Masonic Children's provides, and I still have CF, which keeps me in the hospital at the worst possible times.
I had felt like I let both my girlfriend Noelle and my cousin Max down. I knew (or at least hoped) they understood, but I was excited for both, and I knew they were, too.
The doctors at the hospital understood the situation and tried their hardest to get me out by the following Thursday, the day before prom. The nurses were even better and more supportive: they kept encouraging me and putting their two cents in to the docs as to why I should get out of there for the weekend. This really made the hospitalization a memorable one. Well, that and the prom they hosted, but that's for later in the blog.
Prior to this hospitalization, I had never really been in touch with the nurses. They came and went, and sure, I had my favorites. There were ones I preferred over others, ones I really didn't like, and some that didn't stick out at all. However, during this hospitalization I had AMAZING nurses almost every single shift, and to my luck, they were consistent with taking care of me; I had the same nurses for a few days in a row, so I got to know them better, while they got to know me. This definitely helped in my care and in my hospitalization in general. I felt like I really made friends with the nurses, something I had never done before, unlike my fellow CF-ers, who seem to know every single nurse at their hospital first and last name!
In general, the doctors usually only come around once a day, and don't usually get to know me as well. This is not to say they're not as good or friendly as the nurses, just not as close and personal to me. They approach my hospital stay with a very professional, medical standpoint, as they should, which provides me with almost an uncomfortable, bad connotation with them. It feels as if I can't be as relaxed around them, I have to make sure I answer everything the way they want to hear it, and I'm actually almost intimidated by them. In the hospital, I really don't like when the doctors come in. It sounds silly, because they're taking care of me and they're the ones who make decisions which help me get healthy, but whenever they do come in, I'm reminded I'm not on vacation in the really awesome rooms Masonic Children's provides, and I still have CF, which keeps me in the hospital at the worst possible times.
Like prom.
Besides the fact that I really connected with the nurses during this past hospitalization, it was memorable for a much better reason. Or worse, depending on how you look at it.
As I mentioned, I did not get out in the week I had expected, which prevented me from attending prom. So what did my AMAZING social worker and dietician do? They very enthusiastically and willingly threw my own personal prom right there in the hospital, complete with formal wear, a limo, dinner, and a photo booth.
The reason I capitalized the word "amazing" was to emphasize just how amazing they were, because they actually offered to put this prom on. Initially, I had imagined a low-key prom night at the hospital with Noelle, maybe dressing up, a few decorations, and a movie.
When I had found out that the idea of regular prom had been dismissed, they came bursting through the doors, quite literally, asking (rather, begging) to throw me a prom.
The huge smiles on their faces, along with the squeals and ramblings of hundreds of ideas flowing out of their mouths made it hard to say no. But it also made it hard to say yes. It was very overwhelming, especially compared to the plans I initially had!
But I said yes, and it was probably one of the best things I've ever done.
So after much planning, which included plenty of phone calls and visits asking about and confirming color schemes, food choice, time, and other logistics, prom night had arrived, and I donned my suit, complete with red vest and bowtie (classic) to meet Noelle downstairs, where the limo would drop them off. Yes, I said limo. They had planned for a limo service to drop off and pick up Noelle and a friend to and from the hospital.
After pictures, we were brought up to the room where we were greeted with streamers, writings on the window which had sayings such as "Masonic Prom 2015" and "Shake it like a Polaroid picture", a table set for dinner, goodie bags, and a mini photo booth. It was great!
We were able to order Olive Garden, who not only made our food but wrote a note which all of the employees signed, sending their best wishes and blessings. I sent them an email, but if anyone who works at the Roseville Olive Garden is reading this, thank you SO much.
The night was definitely one to remember. With taking pictures, having a nice walk outside, just being goofy teenagers, and ending with a movie, hospital prom 2015 was one I will cherish forever.
No, it wasn't real prom. But what everyone did for me and seeing the amazing support and encouragement really made it a great night, and it meant a lot.
Unfortunately, at the end of the night, I still had CF. It was a very quick transition after I had said goodbye to Noelle; I walked back upstairs, entered my floor, notified the nurses I was back for the night, got changed, and got hooked up to an IV, did a treatment, took medicines, and suddenly, I was back in the hospital. It was nice to have a break from the usual hospital routine for the night, but it can't be like that forever, and I was definitely reminded of that.
The hospital definitely has its ups and downs, as does everything in life. I get out of school, which is both an up and a down! Making up work sucks but my teachers are pretty good about helping. The technology is really sweet: each room has a standard flat screen TV, some even with three of them; theres a personal computer in the room, as well as one accessible through the TV; gaming systems and other awesome stuff are provided; it's awesome!!
The staff are really the ones who make the hospital experience either good or bad, though. Overall, the hospital is manageable, and I get through it.
With CF, there's a lot of stuff I have to get through, and, little by little, I do it.
The reason I capitalized the word "amazing" was to emphasize just how amazing they were, because they actually offered to put this prom on. Initially, I had imagined a low-key prom night at the hospital with Noelle, maybe dressing up, a few decorations, and a movie.
When I had found out that the idea of regular prom had been dismissed, they came bursting through the doors, quite literally, asking (rather, begging) to throw me a prom.
The huge smiles on their faces, along with the squeals and ramblings of hundreds of ideas flowing out of their mouths made it hard to say no. But it also made it hard to say yes. It was very overwhelming, especially compared to the plans I initially had!
But I said yes, and it was probably one of the best things I've ever done.
So after much planning, which included plenty of phone calls and visits asking about and confirming color schemes, food choice, time, and other logistics, prom night had arrived, and I donned my suit, complete with red vest and bowtie (classic) to meet Noelle downstairs, where the limo would drop them off. Yes, I said limo. They had planned for a limo service to drop off and pick up Noelle and a friend to and from the hospital.
After pictures, we were brought up to the room where we were greeted with streamers, writings on the window which had sayings such as "Masonic Prom 2015" and "Shake it like a Polaroid picture", a table set for dinner, goodie bags, and a mini photo booth. It was great!
We were able to order Olive Garden, who not only made our food but wrote a note which all of the employees signed, sending their best wishes and blessings. I sent them an email, but if anyone who works at the Roseville Olive Garden is reading this, thank you SO much.
The night was definitely one to remember. With taking pictures, having a nice walk outside, just being goofy teenagers, and ending with a movie, hospital prom 2015 was one I will cherish forever.
No, it wasn't real prom. But what everyone did for me and seeing the amazing support and encouragement really made it a great night, and it meant a lot.
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| Prom was sick! No wait, that was me |
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| "Will you sail the 7 seas and go to prom with me?" |
Unfortunately, at the end of the night, I still had CF. It was a very quick transition after I had said goodbye to Noelle; I walked back upstairs, entered my floor, notified the nurses I was back for the night, got changed, and got hooked up to an IV, did a treatment, took medicines, and suddenly, I was back in the hospital. It was nice to have a break from the usual hospital routine for the night, but it can't be like that forever, and I was definitely reminded of that.
The hospital definitely has its ups and downs, as does everything in life. I get out of school, which is both an up and a down! Making up work sucks but my teachers are pretty good about helping. The technology is really sweet: each room has a standard flat screen TV, some even with three of them; theres a personal computer in the room, as well as one accessible through the TV; gaming systems and other awesome stuff are provided; it's awesome!!
The staff are really the ones who make the hospital experience either good or bad, though. Overall, the hospital is manageable, and I get through it.
With CF, there's a lot of stuff I have to get through, and, little by little, I do it.
