When Your Baby is Hospitalized

When your baby is hospitalized:

• You need to feel safe (even when you’re scared),
• You need wrap-around support (because you’re not thinking clearly),
• You need laughter (because tears are exhausting) and most importantly
• You need quality.

Since becoming a mother…

I’ve been at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital more times than I’d like.

With three active and adventurous boys, their mischief and roughhousing can quickly become dangerous.  In less than 5 years, we’ve been to the Emergency Room 5 times, knocked out teeth, transported by ambulance 4 times and hospitalized twice. It seems as though, every 6 months something absurd happens. Thankfully, my husband is on the construction team building the hospital’s new 119 bed Patient Tower. So at least I know he’s close!

For each of the injuries, I was right next to them, which proves how fast things can go wrong with young kids.  This is an exhausting place to be mentally as a mother.  I don’t typically struggle with “Mom Guilt” but when you’re in the Emergency Room… guilt is inevitable.

My First Hospital Review

I’m asked frequently for reviews on products and services.  So in January, when our local hospital asked for an interview, I couldn’t refuse. I was genuinely excited to support my community in this manner.

While Henry Mayo Hospital isn’t a pediatric hospital, I can personally vouch for their excellent pediatric emergency services.   They’ve worked hard to be recognized as a 4-Star Hospital and this is testament to their standards!  (FYI: The most common rating for hospitals is 3-stars.   The extra star was granted because they scored higher on quality control measures.)

I was admittedly thrilled with the family photo they promised. (Isn’t it amazing?) This photo is now displayed on two giant banners in our shopping mall and will be on bus stop shelters all over my community and in local printed publications. It was fun and an honor to participate.

But even with the photo, I was apprehensive. Thinking about emergency rooms, brings terrible images to my mind and stirs emotions I’d rather let alone.

DECEMBER 2016

In December 2016, was our first hospitalization with my then 18-month old middle son.  He had a severe injury to his finger and it was partially amputated.  I’ll spare you the details.  Just know…it was awful.

Emergency Room

We arrived via ambulance and it was quickly determined he needed surgery to repair the damage. The Emergency Room staff was kind, brought toys and did whatever possible to help my baby.  The staff contacted a plastic surgeon and he was scheduled for operation within a few hours.

Operating Room:

While waiting for surgery, Nurse Amanda came to visit and asked to become his new friend.  She asked permission to walk the halls with him and made a sincere effort to connect with her littlest patient.  Amanda wanted him to recognize her face in the recovery room so he wouldn’t be scared.  This extra gesture meant the world to me.

Labor and Delivery:

Another nurse found out I had a nursing baby at home.  I had been away from the baby for hours and was very uncomfortable.  Kelly, a kind nurse in Labor & Delivery, helped me find supplies to pump. She went out of her way to get me ice water, assembled all the pumping pieces, offered encouraging words and a friendly smile.

She let me use the private staff lactation room and a hospital grade pump. It was not only a physical relief but a calming time to reflect, pray and re-center myself.

Angie had only been a nurse for 5 years (at the time) but was gentle and confident. He was her first pediatric patient but you couldn’t tell. She was kind and knowledgable.  

Nurse Michael offered my hungry boy his first juice and crackers after almost 12 hours.  Instant new best friend!  Michael spent about 30 minutes calling my pharmacy and making sure his prescriptions would be ready THAT NIGHT before they closed. He could have handed me the paperwork and sent us along. But he called, spoke with management, and made sure his pain mediation would be ready immediately. As a weary mother and customer….those extra phone calls were crucial my sanity.

Thank You

Thank you to Henry Mayo and their excellent staff for serving our community and my family well.   I hope I don’t visit any time soon, but if required I’m thankful for the quality medical care!   Please thank nurses and medical staff who care for your family.  Don’t take their skills and talent for granted!  You never know when you’ll need them.