Months in hospital :/

Nayy · 04-01-2015, 08:46 PM

Hi all, sorry I haven't been around for awhile. Things have been pretty crazy, been trying to keep up with all that's going on and thinking about you all.

Basically I am STILL in hospital from the last time I posted. That means 4months on acute ward! I'm finding it really hard to be in here with very little leave, and the general chaos of the ward. Struggling to agree with the right treatment options, on 3rd consultant and they all have different ideas!
So I was wondering from those of you have done a long spell in hospital how do you keep your self sane? What do you do with your time?

cough cough · 04-01-2015, 09:16 PM

How are you coping with the boredom?

Ballerina123 · 04-01-2015, 10:12 PM

When I was in hospital for months I read a lot just so I could get into a story that wasn't about me.

sherlock holmes · 04-01-2015, 10:41 PM

I've had a few really long stays. I had my own room (do you have your own?) with my TV and laptop in there. We weren't allowed internet, or our phones, so I watched DVDs on my laptop and the basic TV channels on my telly. I wrote a diary on my laptop too, I wrote multiple times a day. Just about what went on on the ward, my hopes, how my recovery was going etc.

I asked my visitors to bring me magazines now and then, or some nice chocolate. I had my ipod so I could listen to music, and lots of books so I kept reading.

I did absolutely every OT, therapy and adult education class offered to me so that I would spend the most of my time off the ward.

Also in one hospital I was in we could have jobs so I worked in the patient's cafe and even earned a bit of money.

Nayy · 05-01-2015, 05:15 PM

Thanks for the replies.
I'm not really coping with the boredom. My parents got me an ipad for Xmas to try and give me a bit more todo and I have a couple of books on there, just my concentration has been shocking. I have bought my self an adult art therapy colouring book which is excellent and would highly recommend!
Not had many visitors, but I don't mind that

Steel Maiden · 05-01-2015, 05:43 PM

The ward I was on let me have my laptop but said that I couldn't hijack any wifi networks (I used to hack them when I was younger lol). But I went on the internet on my laptop by making my phone a wifi hotspot.

However on the secure unit mobile phones were all banned (although the nurses let me use mine for half an hour a day supervised).

Beating hospital boredom is hard, especially with being unwell and on multiple meds.

Colouring books are supposed to be therapeutic. I don't do them though.

Music is great too. I was listening to several hours of music a day when I was IP.

When my brain was recovering, I read loads of medical textbooks. But that's not easy when one is still very unwell.

Morpheus · 06-01-2015, 12:05 AM

Ive had many long term admissions so i can understand how its bothering you.

I would do lots of jigsaw puzzles. Listen to music, read, draw, watch tv in the common room when i dared leave my room. Watch films on my laptop, play my nintendo and psvita. Get as many visitors as i could and was allowed. I did scrapbooking which i was allowed in the common room as long as i handed in my scissors after. I also played a lot of games with some of the other patients i got close to. Many of us were there for a year or more so we got to know each other well.

I had access to the internet whenever i wanted most of my admissions and my phone as well so i also used those things a lot. Chatting with friends on facebook when i felt lonely or called someone. I read articles and bought comics on the internet that i could read while there and read about a lot of new books or comics i would find interesting.

I would go for walks with staff sometimes or my parents when i was allowed when they visited, play badminton with a staff member and when i got better do the activities out of the ward with other patients.

I know how hard it is when you have nothing but time and is feeling horrible but it does get easier. I hope you feel better soon.

darlkill · 06-01-2015, 11:11 PM

Hey I basically did the things that were suggested above

Epicene · 07-01-2015, 06:37 PM

Is there a gym or any activity rooms you can use? I found going to the gym and helping out with the patient shop passed the time and gave my day some structure. Other than that, I did a lot of drawing and chatted with other people on the ward. I suppose I also spent a lot of time processing the things that led to my being inpatient and doing therapy homework.

Nayy · 07-01-2015, 10:49 PM

I have access to internet on ward computers and phone. Luckily here my phone isn't limited just has to be charged in the office. Really peed off as they seem to have lost my ipad charger!!
No patient shop or much ot to get involved in. Love going out on leave when possible, nothing beats a good march in the fresh air!