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Original poster

Does this mean I can take orange squash?

76 replies

OrangeSquashPlease · 19/11/2020 16:55

DD is 6, and is going into hospital in a few weeks for an operation. She will be in for several days as it’s major surgery.

Last time she had surgery everything was provided so I am clueless as to what to take. The letter says that due to covid restrictions only water and the first post surgery meal will be provided. I have to provide everything else myself so that’s meals and any drinks that aren’t water (I am told there is a parent kitchen with a microwave and a kettle).

Can I take a bottle of orange squash? Does it need to be already diluted with water or will DD still have a jug of it by her bed I can make it up with? Or is it not allowed and they’re expecting her to have water only? When DD had surgery last time for the first 24 hours all she would drink was orange squash she ate nothing but drank lots and lots of orange squash (nobody seemed concerned), the nurses discharged her with her sports bottle full of orange squash. I am anticipating it’ll be the same this time and want to be prepared especially as last time was day case and this time we’ll be in for a few days.

I will not be allowed to leave the ward due to covid restrictions and no-one will be able to bring me anything so I want to be as prepared as possible.

Any other recommendations for things I can take? For both me and DD.

For added context DD usually only drinks water or milk, she only gets orange squash if she’s ill, when she goes to her dads or when she’s at her friends or a party before I get slated for not making her drink water – last time she was offered water a few times and refused it so the nurses told me to just pour her some squash when she wanted it and when we got home she still refused water until 24 hours after the anaesthetic.

OP posts:
Original poster
OrangeSquashPlease · 19/11/2020 18:09

No-one knows? Ok

OP posts:
raffle · 19/11/2020 18:13

If you are not allowed to leave the ward and people can’t drop stuff off for you, does that mean you have to take breakfast lunch and dinner for both of you for a few days with you?

Blimey!

Original poster
OrangeSquashPlease · 19/11/2020 18:13

@raffle

If you are not allowed to leave the ward and people can’t drop stuff off for you, does that mean you have to take breakfast lunch and dinner for both of you for a few days with you?

Blimey!

I assume so yes
OP posts:

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RichardMarxisinnocent · 19/11/2020 18:19

(I am told there is a parent kitchen with a microwave and a kettle).
Is there a fridge to allow you to store milk, microwaveable ready meals, and other fresh microwaveable food? Or are you both expected to live off tinned food and microwaveable packet food?

DDiva · 19/11/2020 18:19

I think you'd be best speaking to someone at the hospital althoim sure they will provide water you can use to make squash. That does sound like a nightmare. I'd take some bread and jam, small baked bean pots and a few of those noodle/pasta pots you make with boiling water. Also fruit and snacks/biscuits. Good luck x

Original poster
OrangeSquashPlease · 19/11/2020 18:21

@RichardMarxisinnocent

(I am told there is a parent kitchen with a microwave and a kettle). Is there a fridge to allow you to store milk, microwaveable ready meals, and other fresh microwaveable food? Or are you both expected to live off tinned food and microwaveable packet food?
They didn't say, I was hoping there would be a fridge though
OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 19/11/2020 18:23

That's very bizarre. We are still feeding children all meals and providing squash and water for everyone to help themselves. At one point we were feeding parents if they agreed not to leave the ward at all. Ot letting them out but not feeding. I would ring the ward and clarify.

Toddlerteaplease · 19/11/2020 18:24

We also provide bread so parents can make toast and milk as well.

TheGreatWave · 19/11/2020 18:28

That is ridiculous regarding the food for your DD, my MIL has just been in hospital, she was fed the entire time. They should be feeding her.

Hope it goes well.

dappledsunshine · 19/11/2020 18:34

That doesn't sound right OP, they must be providing food for her while she's an inpatient. Definitely ring and check.

shampoofarrow · 19/11/2020 18:36

This is interesting as my child has an egg challenge appointment next month & ive been sent a recipe to make the cakes myself - we wondered if this was normal or if covid restrictions meant the hospital wasn't providing the cakes

Backbee · 19/11/2020 18:37

I would try and contact the hospital, it's going to vary quite a bit, especially at the moment. That seems odd about the meals, I was in recently with DS and we both had meals whilst he was there as they didn't want us going back and forth to the restaurant or communal spaces. The patient at least should be getting meals?

Original poster
OrangeSquashPlease · 19/11/2020 18:41

Will call the hospital in the morning to check, I’m not bothered about me as I can live off snacks if needs be, I don’t expect DD to eat much anyway but I will definitely check.

OP posts:
Dopeyduck · 19/11/2020 18:57

Just take a good stock of microwave meals plus snacks (for you both) and yes a bottle of squash - they’ll provide a jug of water.

Normally hospital provide food for the patient but not for the carer - obviously as you can’t leave this will be more of an issue.

@shampoofarrow - DS has had two food challenges (one during covid and one not) I was asked to provide the food for both.

mumwon · 19/11/2020 19:22

you can get ready made bowls with cereals (probably sweet ones) in supermarkets, mini drinks in containers (iced coffee & tea)

GameSetMatch · 19/11/2020 19:24

Rather than a bottle of squash I’d take cartons for the first day, until you know what’s about and what you can use. If you need to feed the both of you you’ll need to go shopping so can always buy squash then. Make life easy for yourself for the first 24 hours. You can get 8 orange Capri-sun for £2.

GameSetMatch · 19/11/2020 19:28

Op I’d ring and check about somebody dropping food off for you, I’m 99% sure this is allowed. A nurse/ nursing assistant will grab the shopping from the person to avoid contact but they can definitely get you some supply’s. I’ve been taking food and bit to my neighbour. I meet a nurse at the door and she takes the shopping to him.

20viona · 19/11/2020 19:32

Is this in the U.K.? That's ridiculous I work in a hospital and this is certainly
Not the case.

FelicityBob · 19/11/2020 19:44

This doesn’t sound right. Is it an NHS hospital? I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t provide meals for a patient. We are even giving meals to any visitors as once they’re in they’re not allowed to leave

Aragog · 19/11/2020 19:46

I would phone and check.

I was in hospital last month and had all food provided for me, plus drinks brought round every so often, regularly accompanied by biscuits.

If there's a kettle in the parent room then I suspect they'll also be a sink/tap. Hopefully a fridge for milk too.

thequeenoftarts · 19/11/2020 20:02

I personally wouldn't use capri-sun's as there have been reports of black mold in the bottom of the foil bags when opened out.

Have you a cooler box or two or can you borrow them? You can buy a mains plug in cooler box which would be dead handy...

I would pack those with a bottle of orange juice and two 2 litre bottles of water and two plastic cups as well as plastic cutlery/plates for you both. Include tea/coffee/sugar/those little cartons of uht long life milk, snacks, biscuits, wipes, crackers, frozen bread, individual butter pats and buy microwavable fresh soups.
The soups have a decently long expiry date and will do you for lunch at least with the freshly defrosted bread. Dinners - pot noodles, microwave meals x 2 . Or store them in the plug in cooler.
I would also cook two meals at home and freeze them and place them in one of the cooler boxes and allow them defrost to use once defrosted. HTH and good luck with your daughters operation.

Toddlerteaplease · 19/11/2020 22:31

@thequeenoftarts my ward manger would have a heart attack if you turned up with all that stuff. There's not enough space for it!

Toddlerteaplease · 19/11/2020 22:32

We would not be happy if you bought in a plug in cooler!

thequeenoftarts · 19/11/2020 22:35

@Toddlerteaplease

We would not be happy if you bought in a plug in cooler!
Toddlerteaplease can I ask why not?
thequeenoftarts · 19/11/2020 22:35

[quote Toddlerteaplease]@thequeenoftarts my ward manger would have a heart attack if you turned up with all that stuff. There's not enough space for it![/quote]
Under the bed would be fine surely?