Four Ways to Better Hospital Stays

2020 didn't exactly start out how I planned.

During the month of January, I began to have pain in my lower back and out-of-nowhere I woke up with chills, vomiting, and fever. Ew, gross. After 2-3 days of continuous fever, things were not looking bright. I decided to take a visit to the ER. Come to find out, I had a severe kidney infection and would need to spend 24 - 48 hours in the hospital. Unfortunately, my 1-2 night stay turned into a 4-night stay with an antibiotic infusion every day for 7 days to follow. So greaaaaat.

With all that being said, I did acquire some handy-dandy tips n' tricks when staying in the hospital. I hope you'll never have to endure one second in a hospital, but just in case…

1. Have a pre-packed emergency bag.

With NO overnight bag packed, I was at the mercy of my dad to pack me everything I needed for my stay. Trying to think about how I would describe where everything I needed was through a text, I tried to imagine my dad scrummaging through my closet, drawers and everything in-between. I thought about how easy it would have been if I had an emergency overnight bag ready-to-go.

2. If you don't say something, the nurses will never know.

As pain punched the side of my kidneys and it being my first time in a hospital, I didn't know I had to ask for pain medication. Am I the only one who didn't know this? It wasn't until the doctors realized I was having a hard time walking that they asked if I wanted some pain medication. Um, yes please!

3. It's okay to cry.

Staying in a hospital can get very lonely and depressing. You're upset you haven't breathed fresh outside air in a few days and most of all: you're freaking tired of feeling sick. It meant the world to me when friends and family would come and visit. Don't be afraid to talk about how you feel (and not just physically, but mentally). I definitely had a few breakdowns, and not just with one person. I'll own it: I'm emotional, okay? I had every right to be.

4. Keep friends and family close, but your pillow closer.

While love bubbled inside me every time a friend or family member would visit, guilt also started to creep in. Most the time, I was so ill I just wanted to sleep. Not to mention, I was loopy-as-hell from the pain medication. Reminding myself that sleep is most important, I would politely thank whoever for coming, but explain that there's a strong possibly I might fall asleep on them. After all, it's hard enough to sleep in a hospital when almost every hour of the night and day, someone comes in to take your vitals or hand you some medications.

Through the 2-week period of my kidney's feeling like they're going to burst right through my body, it made me so appreciative for what and who I have. While the hospital staff was amazing, it is still a scary and unexpected situation to endure. Hug your friends and family, and never take one day for granted.