Hydrocephalus and hospitalization (Part 2 of 2)

In part one of "Hydrocephalus and hospitalization" I addressed how the repeated hospitalizations of a person with hydrocephalus - particularly young children - takes a toll not only on them, but on the entire family. Today I will conclude looking at ways to make these visits more pleasant for school-aged children (ages 7 - 12), adolescents (ages 13 - 18), and adults.

For parents of school-aged children (ages 7 - 12)

• Remind the child that it is perfectly okay to express their emotions while they are hospitalized. It is not uncommon for children in this age range to be hesitant to tell their parent’s exactly how the feel in an effort to protect their parent’s from additional emotional stress.

• Be truthful with your child about their condition. I can remember at that age being scared when I would hear unlearned adults saying “Be careful. His head can burst”. In the hospital setting, reach out to your child’s doctors and nurses and, if one is available, a Child Life Specialist.

• Encourage your child to draw pictures or write about how he/she feels while they are hospitalized.

For adolescents

• With an adolescent, they can begin to be their own advocate and ascertain information about their health and what treatments, medications, etc. will be administered.

• As with other ages groups, they should understand that there is nothing wrong with the emotions they are experiencing. Encourage them not to keep these bottled up or act like a brave soldier if they are really scared or nervous.

• They should see if the hospital has an adolescent support group for “tweens” where they can express their hospital experience. An excellent resource to locate such groups is the Hydrocephalus Association website.

• Adolescents need to realize that it is often difficult for parent’s to express their feelings when it comes to both their “baby” being hospitalized as well as the hydrocephalus itself. Give them (parents) time to come to terms with what they are feeling. (I wish I had been given this advice as I was growing up.)

Adults

• Ask questions, questions, and MORE questions about your personal health records. You have the right to know what tests will be done as well as what to expect during your hospital stay.

• It can’t be stated enough, share your thoughts (and feelings) about your hospitalization with your spouse, a trusted family member, or friend. Encourage them to reciprocate and share their feelings with you as well.

Conclusion

As I indicated in part one of this blog, I am not shunted, but I am familiar with repeated hospitalizations due to Coronary artery disease (CAD) and the tips I have listed here are the very same ones I employ when I have to be admitted. I remember in October of last year (2016) I had to be admitted due to irregular (fast) heartbeat and chest pain. I was kept overnight and, around mid-afternoon the next day, a nurse practitioner came in and announced that “you’re being sent home”. Needless to say, I advocated for myself and explained that I refused to be released until they addressed the issue that was causing my problem -- a blocked artery in the “lower 40” of my heart. The next morning, my third stint was implanted, I was happy, and, best of all, my chest pain stopped.