2 week hospital stay with 3 year old. What to pack (GOSH - heart surgery)

[ColdCottage]

My DS has routine open heart surgery next month at Great Ormond Street Hospital. (Partial AVSD).

I've not stayed in hospital for two weeks before let alone with a recovering 3 year old. So I wondered what I should pack for us both.

I've read it's really hot in GOSH on Bear Ward so I have light clothes and flip flops on the list but would love some extra tips for me and for my DS (I have a Mollys Dolly with a scar to help him know what to expect and I have also ordered some Pyjama Fairies pjs and gown).

Also if anyone had any tips on how to prepare my 3 year old for the op and recovery (in hospital and at home) I'd be very grateful.

Thank you.

Thanks Herrera that's really helpful.

Nearlyfinished, thanks for the tips. Now sure we will be able to take him out of the ward due to infection (?) but we have a number of friends in London to come in and visit us as much as DS and to head out for a coffee.

I am lucky DH will be with us as well while we are there (staying with friends whilst I stay on the ward).

I took my crochet when DS was in for an operation. It really helped me while he was in surgery as I was so anxious for him.
He wanted his kindle and for me to be with him all the time. My travel mug was a lifesaver - I took some cup a soups too, so I didn't have to leave him to eat when he first came round.
I treated him to some nice new slippers. Also, if he'll be getting out of bed during the day, some comfy joggers/tshirts etc so he can get dressed as and when he's well enough.

Thank you Tear drop.

Also, anymore ideas for games in bed. He can watch tv and DVDs but not all day and apart from a short attention span for dominos I'm lost for ideas. We have puzzles he was given last month for his birthday but I don't want to take them all (no space) and I'm not sure he has the attention span

Do I take lots of books? Or will there be lots there

Planing colouring books,but again he doesn't last long on these. Play dough might last a little longer.

All suggestions welcome - even for games which last 5 mins.

Thanks

No experience of this but what about doing a photo album (or just having photos on your phone) of every day familiar things... a picture of his bed at home, the kitchen, his toys, the front of your house, his nursery (if he goes to one), some of his friends etc?
Also, what about some of those Usborne sticker books? Depending on how much strength he has, he can position the stickers or you can whilst keeping up some commentary.

I've stayed at Gosh with my girls numerous times. The ward should have free wifi. You will have to ask the nurse and they can give you the code and password. This can then be used on a few devices. Normally all wards have a playroom with a play specialist who can provide some toys for the child. Most wards have age appropriate books too. You should be able to use the kitchen where tea and coffee is free as well as bread to make toast for yourself and your child. Hope this helps and good luck.

For that age I'd take something like this (because its compact covers old maid memory games snap happy happy families) or this which really good because it has more games in (memory game dominoes etc) and is marvel themed

Any variant of ludo, brilliant as you can abandon it and come back to it if you need. Not one with a dice dome in the middle because often they don't work well enough to change the number but one. But one which is magnetic is ideal

Top trumps junior (would have been beyond one of mine at that age but the other could)

Story cubes

I'd consider also taking:
Dobble
Connect 4
Uno (a bit hard maybe)
Uno dice (simpler than the cards)

Loading audio books onto a tablet esp ones where you can read along

Oh and these books with figurines and playmats are an awesome small tabletop play option. Try your local HMV for them.

Those reusable sticker books?

Loads of good tips here :)
I always take a travel mug so you I can have drinks in the room
Sistema water bottles - easy to wash & refill
Liquid soap & towels
Easily washable throws for the bed - either the Dc's own bedding from home or some cheap fleece blankets. You find your child sleeps, eats, does craft, paints and more ...in their bed - can get messy!
Your own pillow - absolute essential to prevent sweaty head from the pvc covered hospital ones
Bag of snacks & fruit for when hospital food gets too much
Short pjs for the dc as it's boiling but also leaves easy access for cannulas etc
I usually wear crocs and then chuck them in the washing machine a dear sounding a bit of a clean freak. Crocs for the DC as well.

Thank you. More great ideas. Really appreciate them.

I bought these for my older child but my 3 year old loves them for flights and restaurants so they might work for a hospital bed:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01MD2IF7Y/ref=mpssa113?ie=UTF8&qid=1496356970&sr=8-3&pi=ACSX2366SY340QL65&keywords=magformers+construction+set&dpPl=1&dpID=51HBQdM0DqL&ref=plSrch
I spent quite a bit of time in hospital at that age and I really don't remember anything about it. I think it's definitely harder for the parents so look after yourself, there's been loads of great tips above. I hope it all goes smoothly

If it's more than 2 weeks away you can get a surgical gown and front opening pjs here for a £3 donation
http://wrappyjamafairies.co.uk

Food wise (for you really!)
Those teeny squeeze bottles of cordial
Nuts
Dried fruit
Mints are good especially if you're tired and feeling a bit meh
Bath and body works (EBay) do nice scented hand gels or carex do them as well
Neutrogena hand cream or body shop honey and almond work brilliantly for me
Water wipes for a quick clean up, much wetter than baby wipes and work as a "wash"

Weirdly after my last two ops, all I have wanted was a McDonald's milkshake! I think the tube made my throat sore and it actually really helped

Just chipping in here, hope it's not too late. Lots of advice already given, nothing to add on what to take.

First of all, good luck. The surgery will be life-changing, it was for my then 6-week old (he had a VSD).

Second, be prepared for the come down after surgery and recovery in the ICU. It's tough going to see your child in there, make sure you have lots of support too, even if it's just a few people you can phone 24/7. Even though it's routine, it's still your child undergoing OHS. Also check if GOSH has some pastoral workers for parents. Our hospital in Holland had them, made a massive difference and they also prepped older kids for the OR and what would happen.

As for recovery, you should get a list of rules for the first couple of months. One major thing is to not lift them up by the armpits for about 6-8 weeks post-op as it puts too much strain on their chest.

Sorry, maybe not the practical advice you were after, but wanted to share this with you.

Good luck!

Hi OP,

How is the preparation going? We will be there in two weeks so will be thinking of you and wanted to wish you all the best for the operation.

Thanks Foxy and Nearlyfinished. We are going in on Thursday and the op is friday.

I am super stressed as work for myself (not a job I can easily step away from as it's mostly done via email and phone) so managing clients and also trying to pack and prepare for GOSH on top of my worry and irrational fears.

Nearly finished, pm if you like as we might cross over. How old is your little one?

Well we were in and out in 3 days and I'm still in shock (at one point they wanted to discharge us after 48h - 1 day in CICU and 1 day on the ward!!)

I'd say role play was very helpful but I'd also include practicing taking meds from a syringe as my usual calpol loving son hated taking it when is hospital (after CICU he only had paracetamol and ibuprofen ) and it's still a struggle back at home today.

In terms of prep, imperial hospital healthcare trust has made some videos aimed at 0-6 year olds about what to expect when coming to hospital; whilst it's not Gosh it may be useful(gosh may even have some??) I will try and link

vimeo.com/channels/cyp06

Oh sorry just seen your update
Hope your ds is recovering well

Well done! Bet you are glad it's over. Glad it well went.

Well done & glad it was over quickly. I was there this last week on Kingfisher & home today so may have crossed paths...I hope your little one continues to recover well & you found the whole experience as ok as it could be.

Hand cream. Your hands would dry.

Oops it's an old thread.