I have lots of experience of extended stays in hospital, but the proposed week ahead with M felt more daunting than normal.  It might have had something to do with his very obvious nerves and reluctance to go, but I worried about how I was going to keep him entertained and comfortable for a week filled with heavy-duty bowel prep, anaesthetic and scopes.  I turned once again to the support of FABED, where I knew a number of parents had experience of, not only an extended stay at GOSH, but on Kingfisher ward too, and asked them for their suggestions of essential things to take with us.

So, it is with many, many heartfelt thanks to those wonderful individuals, we survived the week and I’ve put together a list of the “must-haves” for a hospital stay:

• A supply of easy-to-store snacks and squash for both parents and child – remember that your child might be on a restricted diet in preparation for their procedure, so be flexible and prepared to nip out to a local supermarket to add to your stock if needs be 

• I-pad/tablet/DS plus games AND chargers – these were invaluable as M was confined to bed for a lot of the week.  I loaded a number of his favourite audio books on to my tablet, which gave M something to listen to at bedtime.  A crucial part of his regular night-time routine

• Favourite books – a mix of something your child can look at on their own as well as old favourites that you both can share

• Favourite toy/comforter – M’s cat travelled with us as always and went almost everywhere with M.  It’s not so much that M struggles to sleep without him, but he’s a source of comfort when uncomfortable medical procedures have to be endured
  

  Cat ready in his scrubs for the week ahead

• Colouring In/Stickers/Craft activities – anything that can keep them occupied whilst they’re in bed.  A friend suggested we could start on our Christmas cards whilst there – I just wish I’d had time to sort that one out as it would have been something we could have begun with no pressure of having to complete it when M had had enough

• School-work – ask if your child’s school is prepared to send some work for them to do during their stay.  Needless to say, M was extremely reluctant to do any during the week, but we persevered and read some books as well as practised some spellings ready for a test on his return
  

  A little reading and some spellings to learn

• Headphones/ear-plugs – if you find it difficult to sleep in a quietly busy location, then these will be invaluable to making sure you get some rest.  We bought a set of headphones for M, which were a real life-saver during the week.  He was able to listen to the TV and audio books without disturbing anyone else and that really helped him to settle to sleep each night

• Mini lego sets/action figures – M has recently enjoyed playing with some plastic soldiers that he “won” when we were last on holiday in Canada.  For this stay, I bought a pack of them which included tanks, planes, helicopters and bunkers – hours of fun that constantly changed and that could be put away quickly too
  

  M and Daddy putting together some new Star Wars Lego

   

• Top trumps or travel games – they’re small, easy to pack and entertaining for at least 5 minutes!  We could play a game and then pack it away as soon as M wanted 

Courtesy of waitrose.com

• Clothes – Enough clothes and sets of pyjamas to see you through the week.  As M was having bowel prep, I packed masses of underwear as well as pairs of pjs – it still wasn’t enough, but got me through 24hours without too much stress

• Warm jumper – for both the child and the parent for when the nights get chilly

• Washing powder/gel – we went through M’s clothes far quicker than I had anticipated.  Fortunately GOSH has a Patients laundry room with 2 washing machines and 2 tumble dryers.  I was able to run a load through both every evening at a cost of no more than the washing powder to clean the clothes

• Slippers – I really, really wish I’d thought of taking slippers with us for both me and M.  I didn’t want to wear my shoes all the time, but wasn’t always comfortable to walk around in nothing more than my socks

• Blanket/pillow – it’s nice to have that extra bit of comfort that reminds you and your child of home.  M had 2 blankets with him, which he curled up with every night whilst giving Cat a much needed cuddle

• Treats for Mum (or Dad!) – hand cream, lip balm, comfy socks, soft loo roll were among the suggestions and all were invaluable to me for the week

And then. my 3 favourite suggestions, that brought a smile to my face and were in much demand during our week at GOSH:

• Gin in a tin
  
• A sense of humour
• and a LOT of patience!

Courtesy of tesco.com