Alina’s Story, Part II: 7 tips for long hospital stays

When four-year-old Alina Siman was waiting for a heart transplant in 2011, she had to stay at Boston Children’s Hospital for a total of five months. Alina had suffered from severe heart failure and was building strength on a Berlin Heart, a mechanical device that temporarily takes over the heart’s pumping functions. Alina received her new heart on February 28, 2012. Her mother, Mary Jane Siman, shares what she learned about staying positive, active and entertained while you’re stuck in the hospital for a long time. “These few tips were created with the help of the entire team that worked with Alina: doctors, nurses, social workers and all the great people around her,” says Mary. Have a schedule. Mary made Alina a daily schedule so she could look forward to certain activities and the day felt organized and purposeful. She made sure to fit in mother-daughter private time, too. “That’s when we’d have dance parties,” she says. Create a biography of your child. Having a biography helped Alina easily answer the questions she was asked repeatedly, especially when a nurse was taking care of her for the first time. (For example: Which finger did the last nurse use for the pulse oximeter? What time do you go to bed?) If you are spiritual, take advantage of the hospital’s chaplaincy services. Boston Children’s chaplains honor every journey of faith and are here to assist you in meeting your unique spiritual needs. “It is always helpful to feel peace during th...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Heart conditions Our patients’ stories congestive heart failure Heart Center Heart transplant program ventricular assist device Source Type: news