The Ups and Downs: 10 Good Things and 10 Bad Things I Learned During a Three-Week Hospital Stay

Three weeks is a substantial time to spend in a hospital. It’s a period that can be filled with anxiety, pain, hope, and lessons. I recently spent 14 days in the hospital and seven days in a rehab center and learned a few things about myself, the healthcare system, and life. Here are ten good and not-so-good things I learned during my stay.

10 Good Things

1. Gratitude: Even in the harshest circumstances, there are things to be thankful for. The care and attention from the nurses, the availability of medical help, and the friends and family who sent their love and support are all things I’ve learned to appreciate even more.

2. Resilience: The human body and mind are amazingly resilient. I saw this in myself and other patients, fighting against their health issues and striving to improve.

3. Patience: In the hospital, you wait for tests, results, medication, the doctor, everything. It taught me the importance of patience. Even though you are told that all you need to do to get help is ring the nurse, it can take an eternity before someone shows up.

4. Empathy: Seeing the pain and struggle of others around me instilled a more profound sense of empathy. Everyone fights their own battles.

5. The importance of good health: We often take health for granted. My hospital stay underlined its value and significance.

6. Prioritizing self-care: This ordeal taught me that self-care isn’t selfish or optional. It’s crucial for maintaining mental, emotional, and physical health.

7. The significance of small victories: Every slight improvement, every step forward became a cause for celebration. I learned to appreciate small victories.

8. Medical advancements: Despite the pain and hardship, witnessing the impressive capabilities of modern medicine was awe-inspiring when used in the proper situations.

9. Kindness goes a long way: A kind word, a warm blanket, or a reassuring pat on the shoulder from hospital staff or fellow patients made a world of difference.

10. The impermanence of life: Being surrounded by life, death, and everything in between made me realize the impermanence and fragility of life. It’s a reminder to live fully and appreciate every moment.

10 Bad Things

1. Uncomfortable nights: Hospital beds and constant disturbances can challenge sleeping. When you put up the side rails, you feel even more confined and the hours drag on at a snail’s pace.

2. Hospital food: It’s usually not the best in taste and variety. At the same time, you often don’t feel like eating just out of fatigue.

3. Inconsistent care: While many healthcare workers are fantastic, some may lack the bedside manner or attentiveness that patients need. I experienced both in the hospital and rehab center, where I spent the last week before coming home for home care. Some staff members listened to you and understood; others were so focused on the procedures that they would not allow you any input.

4. Boredom: Being bedridden or confined can result in long stretches of boredom, body aches, and pains you didn’t even know existed.

5. Disrupted routine: Your routine is completely thrown off, leading to a feeling of loss of control over your life when you are used to being proactive and informative about your own body’s care

6. Physical pain and discomfort: Physical discomfort is, unfortunately, common, whether it’s from the illness itself or the procedures and tests.

7. High costs: Even with insurance, the cost of healthcare can be overwhelming and cause stress. With recent consolidations and the effort to industrialize telemedicine to save money and increase productivity, you are left wondering where the money is going.

8. Loss of privacy: With constant check-ups, procedures, and the general lack of private space, you will lose your privacy. There is also a lack of consistent patient data that you must continually ask questions about to avoid a disaster. I had three instances where meds I had been taking were not in the records, even though I had provided them to the system long before my admittance.

9. Difficult conversations: Talking about your condition with loved ones can be challenging. Moreover, making medical decisions under stress can be tricky.

10. The lingering psychological impact: The emotional toll of an extended hospital stay can be considerable, with feelings of fear, anxiety, or depression not uncommon. I have been home for one week and still have issues sleeping. Sometimes you lose track of time and actions that took place in the hospital; some of these images can affect you when you leave. Your faith will significantly help in this part of the bad, but you need to be willing to learn more about your attitudes and needs.

In summary:

My experience is that a hospital stay is a blend of the good and bad, a time of learning and growth, discomfort and healing. Ultimately, it’s an experience that changes you and often leaves you with a heightened appreciation for life and health.