Handling Hospital Visits - Fear #3:

Loss of Control

One of the things you might hate most about being in the hospital is not being able to take care of yourself. It can be very hard to have to count on others for everything, but you can't help it. Instead of worrying about not being in control, focus on getting better (and enjoy being waited on hand and foot!).

Don't feel embarrassed about asking for help. Nurses know that you can't do everything on your own while you're getting better. No one is going to laugh at you because you can't walk to the bathroom by yourself or need to use a bedpan. At the hospital, more than anyplace else, people understand what you can and can't do. Remember, you know best what you need-so, speak up and make sure you get it.

You may feel more comfortable having a family member help you wash yourself. If a parent isn't in your room when the nurse comes in to give you a bath, you can say you'd like to wait because someone else is going to help you. Don't worry about hurting the nurse's feelings; they understand the discomfort of having a stranger help you do personal things.

Use the call button when you need to. If you have an emergency while you're at the hospital, the nurse is just a call button away. The call button will be an easy reach from your bed, and all you have to do is push it when you need something.

© From Young People and Chronic Illness: True Stories, Help, and Hope by Kelly Huegel.
©1998 Free Spirit Publishing, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.