In hospital and emotional wreck

I saw my kids today and when they left me I got into such a state ... Hw d u cope with hospital stays ? ..any advice I can't myself like I did earlier again or I I'll never get home

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aww! I'm sorry youre feeling so low at the moment - i cant offer much in the way of advice (will think and type and see how far we get!) but i know what its like when you are lying awake in hospital and i thought something to read might occupy your mind. How long you been in for? and are you getting out anytime soon? is this a regular occurance for you? Have you tried organising lots of different visitors - i am at uni so i guess its easier for me to just send out a load of texts and get a load of people to come visit me but i always find it cheers me u p and helps break up the day!

And your kids - maybe (depending on age) could draw you some pics to decorate around your bed, and photos of them too, always helps to have a little reminder of home. Make sure you have plenty of supplies to keep you occupied. If you're going to be in for a while then maybe family/friends could pick you up a few things. Sorts of things i try...puzzle books, arts and crafts supplies (colouring books are surprisingly theraputic), you can buy kits with things to sew and make in, books, i enjoy having work to do (i'm at uni so i get maths question in), a laptop with DVDs maybe, pen and paper always comes in handy.

then i personally feel a lot better if i have a few snack type foods. I generally get someone to bring me some pre-made pasta pots, some sandwiches, cereal bars, crisps, fresh fruit (or fruit salads), boxes of juice, bottles of lemonade, that kind of stuff. Just helps me to feel more human being able to just eat if i'm hungry, and choose what i want to eat/drink etc.

If you have a TV then i'd say to treat yourself with a few days here and there - if its gonna be a long stay then its too expensive for too many days, but there are a fair old variety of things to occupy you on there (although clearly you have internet access so maybe thats enough). It always helps if you have nice patients you can chat to, unfortunately not often the case! Even chatting to the nurses and things can break up the monotony of long hospital days. Try and make sure you are getting as much sleep as possible as that will help you to feel better able to cope. I always think if it is possible for you to get out of bed and shower and brush your teeth, wash your face, get dressed etc. then you can feel a bit better. I sometimes find i have a day or two where i am quite well (but have to be in coz im on a drip or something) where, with permission, i like to have a bit of a wander - fresh air does a world of good if you can get it.

If you are really struggling - talk to a nurse or doctor about it,pred can make you really struggle with your mood etc. and they might have some advice. It might be that there are some alternatives for some of your treatments (pred is pretty much the only steroid but there might be some other things you are on!)

look after yourself - plenty of phonecalls with the kids/family/friends and be kind yourself! hope you are feeling better soon!

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Just wanted to say welcome and hope you feel better soon and can get home quickly.

Hospitals are boring. Soph's got a good list. A few more things:

* visit with people remotely: use email, phone calls or instant message/chat/call via skype or other internet phone software with friends via the internet - helps keep one from feeling alone and isolated when the kids go home and friends can't come and visit.

* pick something you are interested in and look up and read all you can on the internet

* write a story - fiction, something that happened in real life - anything that amuses you or made you think

* buy/have someone bring a journal and write in it - good for venting frustration in a way that might be less likely to upset breathing

* have someone bring pencil or crayons and draw even if you aren't an artist - can help with boredom and also another way to vent about how you are feeling about being in the hospital and sick.

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Thank-you so much for your reply a I have been here 8 days but was in 12 days before home for 6 days and back again .. I am fine till I see my 3 yr old then when she goes I get so upset

But fingers crossed home on Monday the spirivia seems to be helping my peek flows are slightly higher today and only had 1 nebuliser x

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Cant really add much more useful stuff. Though sometimes if im pretty ill amd reading a book is too difficult i like to listen to comedy or audiobooks to relax.

Hoping you feel better and can get home soon. Hugs for a fast recovery.

Rose xx