I've been in hospital 3 times with hyperemesis (a.k.a. Really bad vomitting in early pregnancy)
And from it I've learned a lot of useful things about myself as a person, as a nurse and tips and tricks to make hospital stays a bit more... Enjoyable. As a person I have learned alot. I'm not the best at being sick. I sound like a beached whale taking its final gulps of air. I make a song and dance about being sick, I'm terrified of being sick on my own encase I aspirate. It's not an enjoyable experience for me or my husband. This pregnancy took me unawares. I was expecting to feel nauseous and fatigued. But i didnt expect the low mood that came with it. Sounds dramatic all for a bit of vomitting. But it really was relentless. 2 days out of 7 I'd be attached at the hip to the toilet for being sick. Get so dehydrated that I'd end up in hospital. The rest of the week is spent feeling a little less nauseous but more so than anything, weak as water. It got me so down that I couldn't enjoy food, or anything for that matter. I didn't want to do anything, or see anyone, but yet I felt so alone. Even though I had Kyle and he has been amazing throughout all of this. I felt so worried and in that felt alone. Weirdly enough I eventually started to get used to the vomitting. It's never enjoyable put it that way. And I most certainly don't sound any more graceful when I puke. But I've come to psyche myself up now for it. I have pep talks with myself and try to be alot kinder to myself now than I've ever been. Those days where I feel at my lowest I have learned to spend less time thinking and stay closer to myself internally. Spending it in a sort of meditative state. It hasn't been easy but this has definitely helped. That and colouring in, my sister in law very kindly sent me over a "pregnancy problems colouring in book" which has helped me to learn a few things about patience and perserverence. As a nurse, I've learned what it is like for my patients when they are feeling so unwell. Patients are really vulnerable. I've known that anyway and try to treat all with kindness. Even those who are a bit hostile (with some exceptions to the rule, naturally) as generally speaking I've found those who are a bit hostile tend to be the most frightened. I've learned first hand how vulnerable you are when I had an experience with a fellow nurse that wasn't the warmest or compassionate. You get bad apples in every bunch I suppose in all professions. It made me feel so tiny and drove home the point of being open and honest with patients. Reading them, if they aren't up for the craic, that's fine. They aren't well. Let them be. But always be open with them, kind and compassionate. My best tips about being a patient. 1. Bring headphones. Hospitals are noisy places, it can be disheartening when you want to rest but there's someone with dementia sitting across from you. Fire alarm test day and buzzers and alarms going off left right and centre. On route, download some calm songs or songs you enjoy. Trust me, it'll make all the difference and lower your anxiety too. Yes I know, I'm a nurse and I get anxious being on the other side of the fence. Who'd have thunk it? 2. My next best tip has to be bring some home comforts. You're favourite throw, hoodie, maybe a snack you know you can tolerate. Something that keeps you calm and comfortable. Definitely will help with anxiety levels and allow you some calm time. 3. Be sure to bring some form of entertainment, for me it was my phone, a colouring book and some colouring pencils. Sounds childish but yet it was so therapeutic to colour in some mandalas and see how it all comes together. How something in the centre can start out so small and then gradually widen and get more pretty and intricate. For you it might be bringing a laptop and playing the Sims 4? For my brother in law it was his Ps4. It could be a book, an audio book, a game, who knows. But something to put the time in anyways. If you're in hospital for whatever reason, I hope it all goes well for you and that you have a speedy recovery. I also hope these tips make it a bit easier for you.
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AuthorI am a 25 year old nurse, who is trying to find herself. This blog will contain epiphanies I have, my yoga progress and other such things. Enjoy. :) Archives
March 2019
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