Being in hospital for cancer treatment

Depending on what type of treatment you need to have, how much and how often, you may have to spend a lot of time at a hospital.

Spending long periods in hospital can be really boring! So here are some tips to make your hospital stay a little easier:

• Ask friends to visit (and bring snacks).

• Bring your trackies or favourite PJs and your pillow, photos or other stuff from home to make the hospital room more comfy.

• Beg, borrow or steal as much media as you can – bring your phone, iPad, books and magazines.

• Start a journal.

• Make a visitor book or poster for visitors to sign and leave messages on.

• Turn off your phone if you’re not feeling well or don’t feel like visitors, or when you’re ready to sleep.

• Get to know the night nurses well (and offer them lollies if you have some). They’ll save you from insanity when you can’t sleep.

• Get outside if you’re well enough. Fresh air and sunshine always helps.

• If you don’t have the energy to read but would love a good story to distract you, try an audio book. Entertainment with your eyes closed – bonus!

• And remember the Youth Cancer Service team includes lots of people who can advise and help you cope with your time in hospital. Ask your cancer care coordinator or cancer nurse about the activities, groups, services and entertainment on offer.

Canteen’s Robots Program can help you stay connected to school, friends and family while you’re stuck in hospital for treatment.