My youngest son has haemophilia and he is finally getting his port. This has been a challenge. With his first port, the line came out. Second time, it got infected. After that, he was attached to a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line for four weeks with a Baxter pump on the other end. If anyone had ever had one on your child, you know how fiddly that is.

Anyway, we had to stay several times at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), and this could be quite tiring and stressful. However, if you had to be staying, you might as well thoroughly enjoy it. Well, maybe not too excited because you would just look weird. Perhaps, we can try making it as comfortable as possible. Therefore, preparation is essential.

I have developed my list of items to bring to achieve this goal. I hope these listed items help carers and parents when they have to stay at the hospital in the future.

Here is my recommended list of things to bring:

1. A pram – When everything goes well after the operation, your child recovers pretty quickly and will most likely want time out of the room. You can take the child in a pram for a walk, as long as you let a ward nurse know and ask if it is okay to do so.
2. Toothbrush and other amenities – these items can be expensive to purchase at convenience stores, so best to bring them from home.
3. Computer, mobile phone and the battery charger – It’s great that the RCH can offer free Wi-Fi. I don’t know how people used to kill time in the past. Depending on the ward, the reception can be a challenge. If you rely on a smartphone, you won’t be able to use it in the Possum (Surgical Short Stay Ward) as the reception is not that great.
4. Food for yourself and your child – Even though there are bread and sandwiches in the fridge at each ward, meals for carers are not provided. Also, if you are comforting the child, you may not be able to eat when you want to. Breakfast is usually served after 8:00am. My child gets up around 6:00am so he cannot wait that long. Cut fruits, bread rolls, rice balls work for us. Don’t forget a (modest singular) little treat for yourself either.
5. Toys – Actually you can borrow toys from a toy shelf which can be accessed from each ward. They are only open on weekdays. I usually pack my son’s favourite toys which have been hidden for months at home, and hope it will occupy him for a prolonged period of time. Or am I being too optimistic?
6. Origami – For a therapeutic purpose. It is something to keep my mind calm. This is different from ‘killing time’. You can’t exactly light an aromatic candle at the hospital.
7. Clothes – Even on a very hot day, inside the ward is kept cool. I need socks and a long sleep top. I also think loose fitted clothes for your child are best and ones with the press buttons are great too. This, though, can all depend on if/where your child will be cannulated.
8. Thermos – At the hospital, a hot drink is required to be placed in a cup with a lid. You can purchase a cup with a lid for $5 on the ward, but if you have a Thermos that will do the job.
9. Homemade food to be kept in the parent’s shared fridge on the ward – After a period of stays, you seriously need this.
10. Cards – If you would like to show how appreciative you are… I usually make them during the stay, but if you are bringing them in, bring several. You will be surprised how many people you want to say thank you to.