Essentials While Your Child Is In The Hospital.

I spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital with my son and one thing was for sure I wished I had a list of things to bring when we first started his journey. Here I compiled a list of things I learned along the way that will be helpful in making your stay in the hospital as pleasant as possible.

1. SLIPPERS
Boy oh boy these are so important, you may be thinking how silly but when your child is hospitalized for a good length of time you want to be as comfortable as possible (make sure you buy some that you willing to throw away as you don't want those nasty germs in your home)

2. WATER BOTTLE
Preferably a Yeti or something similar that will keep your beverage cold. It is quite weird how you can get dehydrated from sitting in a room all day but you really do, so having a large bottle by your side is a lifesaver.

3. CHANGE
Having change comes in handy for the good old vending machines when you have that late-night craving for chocolate and the cafeteria is closed, yup no need to feel bad about a midnight craving.

4. NOTEBOOK
Always carry a notebook so you can jot down questions you may have for the doctor when they do their rounds. It also comes in handy so you can keep track of vital signs, tests that have been done, meds given, and names of your nursing staff, and jot down when your child has made improvements. I still have all my notes from the very first time my son was hospitalized 19 years ago it allows me to see how far he has come.

5. TOILETRIES
This one is overseen a lot because you just don't think about your own hygiene while your child is sick. But in order to stay focused and on your "A" game you need self-care and you need to be refreshed daily. Bring toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, lotion, soap, and women's lipstick or mascara to feel a little normal. Perfume or cologne (but do not spray in your child's room this can have a negative effect on their breathing). Here's a tip most hospitals will let you use washcloths in your child's room to clean up. If you want a shower go to the information counter and ask for a shower pass, they will ask you what room number you are in so they can call you when it's your turn. They usually provide towels, but show up early they fill up quickly.

6. WEIGHTS
Now I'm not talking about lugging in your weight bench to get your swole on, but more like a 20-pound hand weight for men and a 5-10 pound weight for women. Because you are sitting most of the day your body weakens and loses muscle mass. To prevent weakness lift weights two times a day to make sure you stay strong and healthy. Your child is going to need you at your best when they are ready to come home.

7. FRUIT/VEGGIES
Pack some fresh fruit in baggies but make sure they are fruits that won't spoil quickly like a whole apple, pear, orange, even avocado, etc. Veggies cut up like carrot sticks, celery, grape tomatoes, and edamame. Mini cups of fruit or gelatin work great as well. A nice pairing with that would be little cups of hummus, or guacamole anything that doesn't need to be refrigerated.

8. SNACKS
This goes hand in hand with the above, having snacks will prevent you from spending a fortune at the cafeteria. Things like crackers, popcorn, seaweed snacks, chips, granola bars, and mixed nuts are all good snacks because they will last without refrigeration.

9. BOOKS/LAPTOP
Catch up on a good book you have been reading or begin a new one, you can bring a bible and start a topical study. Hospitals have free wifi so bring a laptop or tablet this can keep you busy for hours and don't forget the charger! Wifi in hospitals can run a little slow so don't rely on just having a laptop you don't need anything to cause any more frustration. Having a daily newspaper to read is a good option and most hospitals have them laying around in waiting rooms. Magazines will allow you to keep up on Hollywood gossip, it works helping you forget your sadness for a moment, Hollywood is quite hilarious.

10. SWEATER/JACKET
Hospitals are always freezing, they do this to keep germs from spreading. So remember a sweater, sweats, or jacket trust me you won't regret it. A hat is good too, besides keeping you warm it will cover your crazy hair that probably won't be combed as long as your child is in the hospital.

I pray that this list helps make your stay in a hospital a little bit easier, with all the stress you will have to see your little one sick the last thing you need is to be uncomfortable. Now that's the Heart of The Matter!