gale/hospitalization tips--the saga continues

[Guest guest]

Yes, one can get a Medicalert tag for ANYTHING, and the ONLY rea

son that I do not have that is that I am epileptic and allergic to the most

usual medications for it, and take phenobarbitol and do not want them

giving me Dilantin or Tegretol or Valproate, so I have a separate wrist

band for epilepsy only--nothing else is listed as there is always this

HUGE list of doctors, specialists, telephone numbers, etc. folded into

the front of my billfold, which is where they always look for i.d. in case

one did lose consciousness.

On a cheerier note, our child wcf was gaga about crossword puzzles,

math puzzles and a NOTEBOOK in which to write poetry, all her pens,

pencils, and her favorite HORSE, DOG AND CAT BOOKS. So, at the

first sign of impending hospitalization we packed it all up, along with

HER OWN CLOTHES, SOCKS AND SHOES, and, at no matter at

what age, her favorite (hers only) stuffed animal. We became geniuses

at summarizing meds, allergies to meds and foods, medical history,

non-prescription meds (one) and describing the unusual fact that she

NEVER complained of pain, but did feel it.

I think all parents with kids with chronic illness just play this by ear, but

the medical data, drugs taken and allergic to are essential to get those

blooming orders written before the parents collapse on the spot.

We won't even touch on my OWN preparations for hospitalization ex

cept to say that it is the adult version of the above and is prepared by

the patient unless I really cannot breathe (rarely) in which case, friends

know " the drill, " as we say oddly in English.

Love to you all at cfparents,

n