All children want to feel well, and parents want their children to be healthy, but sometimes to make you feel well you will have to stay in the hospital for a while.  How many days you stay will depend on what treatment you have. 

Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor or nurses what they are going to do.  If you ask them nicely they may even do a drawing for you.  If you have a copy of the figure showing the tube that goes from your mouth to your bottom they will be able to show you just what part is inflamed.  

If you are told at clinic that you will have to go into hospital make a list of things that you want to take with you.  You can take your favourite PJ’s some comfy clothes, a favourite stuffed animal or doll, toys, photographs, a radio or personal CD player and CD’s, books and games.

Some hospitals have playrooms where, when you are feeling well enough, you can take part in games and activities.  Some even have a school room where you can catch up with your school work if you want to.   If there are no organised activities you can make friends with the other children and perhaps share games and books.

Your parents will be able to come to see you during the day and if need be they can sometimes stay with you in the hospital.  You will be able to have other visitors as well.  Perhaps a friend from school will come in sometimes to tell you all that has been going on so that when you back to school you won’t feel so left out of things.

Don’t forget there will be lots of doctors and nurses looking after you in hospital and although they will probably be busy if something is worrying you don’t forget to tell them and ask them to explain it to you.  If you don’t ask them they will not know that you are worrying and it may be something that you do not need to worry about at all.