QUICK VIEW
When can I go home?
- Tell your parent / caregiver what you miss about not being at home. Maybe they could bring your favourite toy, blanket, game or something special to comfort you.
- Ask your parent / caregiver to help you to keep routines like when to do schoolwork, have your meals, watch TV, play or rest. These routines will help you to cope while in the hospital.
- Enjoy visits or virtual check-ins with family and friends. However, when you feel sick you can ask them to rather come or check in when you are feeling better.
- If there is a playroom or an outside play area in the hospital you are welcome to go there if the doctor approves. Should volunteers, play or art therapists offer activities, such as play, arts and crafts, music or any other interactive activity, it will be good if you can take part in them, even if it might feel uncomfortable at first, it will get better, just keep on going and ask for physical assistance if you need it.
Read More:
- St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. (n.d.). How Patients React to Hospital Care. https://together.stjude.org/en-us/emotional-support-daily life/parents/talking-to-your-child-about-cancer/how-patients-react-to-hospital-care.html
- Young lives vs Cancer. CLIC Sargent Cancer Care for Children. Staying in hospital with your child – what you’ll need. https://www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/cancer-info-support/hospital/taking-my-child-to-hospital/staying-in-hospital-with-your-child-what youll-need/
Related Parent Carers
What is happening to me?
You may ask: “Why is this happening to me? Will I be ok? Why do I have to go through this? What happens if I don’t get better?”
I don’t understand my illness?
You have been diagnosed with something called cancer.
Our bodies are made up of tiny blocks called cells. Normal cells grow, work and when our bodies don’t need them anymore, or they get old or damaged, they die in a controlled way. This is called apoptosis! When you have cancer, it starts with one of these normal cells growing faster and out of control and not dying when they should. These, now abnormal or cancer cells form lumps, called tumours, or affect blood cells that lead to leukaemia (cancer of the blood). The cancer cells can spread to any part of the body via the blood stream or lymphatic system. Cancer is not contagious; you didn’t do anything to cause it as it is a mistake that gets made in your DNA (just like we can all make mistakes that we didn’t do on purpose!)
Why do I have to stay in the hospital?
The hospital is a place where doctors and nurses help you to get better. However, it is normal for anyone to feel scared, anxious, confused, angry or frustrated about having to stay in the hospital.