I'm in hospital with pneumonia. I'm so lonely.

[easythere]

I just want to go home to my babies.

Has anyone else been in hospital with pneumonia? How long were you in? They suspect I had the worst last week (I was sent home with antibiotics for a chest infection) but wanted me to stay in hospital because my breathing was very fast. Where they said it's pneumonia.

God I feel so sad and teary. I've never been away from home before.
I had home births so I didn't have to be in hospital.

I've got wires everywhere and I can't sleep

I was in 2 years ago with pneumonia. I ma issed my daughter's 11th birthday which I am still sad about. I was in for 4 nights. My CRP (which was nearly 300 at admission) went down nicely and that seemed to be a marker of the treatment really helping. I was back at work 3 weeks after I came out of hospital though very fatigued for a while. The potassium drink they gave me was the worst - stomach churning. If you feel yourself panicking, breath out to the count of 6 and in to the count of 4 - or whatever numbers work for you. Breath out more than in though as that's the key. And keep telling yourself that you'll be fine. Hope you get home soon.

I feel for you OP, hope you're better soon.
I was in hospital for 5 days with pneumonia and was surprised at how alone and vulnerable I felt. I was a nurse working on Intensive Care at the time so used to hospitals but never been a patient before.

Hey Op. sorry you are having such a hard time.
Can you ask your DH to bring your some ear plugs and an eye mask?
Also some ear phones so you can listen to podcasts on your phone.
Then at least you can get some rest or a respite from the noise as the ear plugs will muffle it.
Hope you feel better very soon

The nurse just told me to stop crying... I wasn't crying loudly just quietly teary in my tissue.

I really really want to go home now.

Breakfast, I just can't eat it it was gross.

I literally have never felt so down in my life.

Hospitals are awful places. Bloody awful. I get angry when all I want to do is to cry. I don't want people knowing I'm vulnerable, so I get mad instead of crying. It's horrible when they do the change of nurse shifts and you might have had a kind one during the day and you get the antichrist for the night. It's horrible horrible horrible. I hate them. Godawful places.

You poor thing. Can your husband visit today?

A week ago I got home from hospital after being in for 2 solid weeks. It was like being ill in a shopping centre. The noise, the lights, the amount of people, the endless visiting hours.

Text home to ask for sleep mask, ear plugs and headphones.
Get the bbc sounds app.

You poor thing. I know exactly how you're feeling. I was in hospital a few years ago after having an asthma attack. I remember how scared I was and how much I wanted to go home. DH came to visit with DD who was 18m. We both cried so much when she left, that it was easier if he didn't bring her again. I was in for 8 days.
Your babies will be absolutely fine. Try to rest and enjoy the break. Earplugs might make sleeping a little easier.

OP, is there a day room you can get to? Or even just a walk to the shop and back? Getting out of bed and back amongst people can really help.

Also ask if DH brings the kids if you can go to the play area to meet them (there should be one in the kids ward) - makes a massive difference rather than having them visit you in your ward.

I totally get where you're coming from, I had similar years ago and ended up with PTSD after, the lack of control over what is happening and understanding why really takes a massive toll.

I agree with the PP who suggested writing down questions, also ask if there is an alternative to staying in hospital and what would happen if you self-discharged. My late mum would be in hospital often with pneumonia and then discovered her area offered hospital from home where they could administer iv antibiotics and nebulisers/oxygen at home twice a day as being at home helped hugely in her recovery. It may be they can offer you a similar scheme. If not these questions should give you a clear explanation of your diagnosis/prognosis which means you can then choose to stay in hospital thus taking back some control.

What rough area of the country are you in OP? If you're near me I'd happily drop you in a care package

I had pneumonia 37 years ago. I had a 1,3 and 5 year old at home.
It started with me losing my voice on Jan 1 st . Never been a smoker or a drinker and hadn’t been up all night revelling. Saw doctor and got amoxicillin.
By jan 31 was much worse. Sweats that soaked the bed sheets, couldn’t eat , felt sick. Felt like I was dying. Gp called again and he put me in hospital. My wonderful mum took care of my children.
By time husband came to see me on the night, I was past myself , two people had died. I thought that was my fate. I had physio and they banged my back and I had to spit the phlegm into a pot. It was green
Gradually and with 5 lots of antibiotics I began to improve. How I dot know . If I needed to use the phone , it was in the patients lounge where there was a thick fug of cigarette smoke which would have me coughing again
I was there for two weeks and five people died in that time. I’d lost a stone in weight and it was May before I felt fully fit again and no longer coughed.
The following winter I got bronchitis..I’d never had anything like this before.
It’s what started me on my homeopathic journey.
I started seeing a homeopath the next winter and have never had anything as severe as that ever again. In fact I rarely get a cold and never had flu.

It’s a very frightening experience op. Before I went into hospital I had to get out of my sick bed and pick my son up from nursery as mum wouldn’t drive my car. I felt like a zombie doing that, it was a very harsh winter that year.

In hospital there were no mobile phones of course, no CD players, no films. My husband brought a portable tv in and that was the year GMTV started , so there was some to watch.
Read and rest as much as you can. You’re in safe hands
It’s important you get really well to continue your recovery at home

I nip anything in the bud now. I take lots of supplements. Garlic, onion , honey and lemon mix for a sore throat or cough, I’ve learnt to use and make my own homeopathic remedies, so at the first sign of a sniffle..I’ll see what I need to take.

Of course everyone knows homeopathy doesn’t work. Try telling that to the queen, Charles and Philip..it’s them that got me started

Hope you feel better very soon

I actually think it's a good sign if you're objecting to breakfast. When I was at my illest I lay and tried to breathe. I did nothing and thought nothing. If you are alert enough to register the soggy toast and cheap tea that might mean you're in the mend! The medication stopped me sleeping. Are you taking steroids?

Let's not all jump on Nitpickpicnic. For some people remembering how lucky we are does help them clear a sad mood.

OP was getting validation from all other posters, it's okay for someone to try a different approach.

OP a friend of mine had a three week stay for something where she felt mostly fine and she found the first week hard but then decided to make a list of all the good things about being there. She listened to pod casts, watched a huge amount on Netflix, made good use of ear plugs, wrote letters to her children, made some photo books for them and caught up in her sleep. She would still have rather been home but forcing herself to find the positives helped a lot.

How cruel of that nurse to tell you off for crying..tears are the healing..she should’ve held your hand and let you sob all the fear and upset at your predicament out.
Dreadful that.

Easythere, I'm sorry you're poorly - and I completely understand how upsetting it is when you're in hospital and you've got little ones to care for.

The good news is that your DH is holding the fort. He and the children will be missing you so much but they want you back fit and well, and they know that right now, hospital is the best place to help you to get well.

Eating helps your recovery, though, and if you can't face the food, would your DH be able to bring you something later? Just something simple like a sandwich and perhaps some fruit and biscuits to have with your cuppa. Doesn't have to be much, but right now your body needs the sustenance.

Hope you see them soon and hope you feel much better soon. Chin up!

You poor thing. Not pneumonia but I was in hospital for over a week quite recently after emergency abdominal surgery. The nights are often much worse than the days ... And it's ok to be upset.

I got progressively more sorry for myself as they kept saying I was likely to go home that day/the following day, but then infection markers were too high etc. It will pass and you will be home soon.

Try to look outside yourself if you can (reading, chatting to others) and if you are allowed, try and walk up and down a bit as it will make you feel less helpless.

Here's hoping you will be home very soon.

Sorry you are feeling so sad. When the next nurse comes round tell her you have history of panic attacks and you are feeling like you might have another soon. They are there to help you recover and soothing words will be kinder to you now.

When I was in hospital having dc I felt the same. I needed privacy and peace. You do feel vulnerable in a hospital bed.

If you can, put your earphones in and listen to something. Sign up to Audible. Comedy, crime, comforting children's books, whatever appeals. It's made hospital stays so much better for me. Just get lost in a story and try to close your eyes. I remember once listening to radio 4 before you could get proper podcasts etc on your phone and being utterly enthralled by an early morning documentary about mud fgs, just because it took me away from where I was.

She listened to pod casts, watched a huge amount on Netflix, made good use of ear plugs, wrote letters to her children, made some photo books for them and caught up in her sleep.

If I was well I wouldn't mind a week in hospital .
IME a serious illness like pneumonia makes it very hard to concentrate on anything, except feeling scared and alone There's no way I could have read a book or written letters, I just felt too ill.
Catching up on sleep is impossible when breathing is painful and you're surrounded by bright lights and noise.

Sounds really hard. Have they given you any idea how long you'll be in for?
The nurse could have been more helpful but could have had a really bad shift.
Really hope you feel better soon. I can imagine how much you're missing your kids.

Oh dear, you must be very poorly, so you are in the right place, but that doesnt help feelings of isolation. You must have a phone or laptop? Hopefully you get visitors? Can you book a hair appointment or pedicure so you will have beautiful toes and can all be done at the bedside. Lots of love and at least you will be out as the weather turns into spring.

Doctor has been round,

All being well I can go home with antibiotics later this afternoon!!!!!

My heart rate was up slightly and I have crackles all over my lungs but everything points to me recovering well which I can do at home in my own bed (in more comfort)
If I get worse again I'll have to come back in and be put on steroids which sounds a bit scary.

It's just the wait now. I hope they don't change their minds.

Thats great news @easythere. I hope you recover well and enjoy some decent nights sleep at home snuggled up with your dc. Wishing you all the best

If you go home, which I really hope you can today, you must rest. That is in bed or wrapped up on the sofa. No child care/cooking/cleaning etc. If you over do things you will relapse. Take care and wishing you clear lungs.

Yes, faerie Queen is spot on..
Doctors orders lol
Good news.

Before you leave the ward don't forget to make that nurse's weekend by telling her that you're going to contact PALS and make a complaint about her overly harsh and unsympathetic attitude

What a bitch! She should have given you some tissues, told you to have a good sob if that's what you needed, and promised you a cup of tea as soon as she had a chance to get you one.