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the temporary part of this to get you to a better place.
Worrying about these things is common. It's helpful to talk with other teens who have been through the same thing - the hospital staff can help you get in touch with other teens. Even talking to family and friends about your concerns helps. Your friends might even have some creative ideas about what you can do.
Try to do the little things that can make you feel better about yourself, whether it's listening to music, talking on the phone, e-mailing your buddies or doing something you've never done before. It's amazing what a little fun can do for you.
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Dependent on Parents
Teenagers are kind of caught in the middle because we aren't kids and we aren't adults - we're teens. You are still dependent on your parents and yet can be very self sufficient. When you are in the hospital, you are even more dependent on your family. They may be your main link to the outside world.
The problem with this is that as much as you may want your family there, you will have times that you need a break. You can always let your parents know how much you appreciate their help, but that you need some time to yourself. You can go down to the Teen Room to get away for a while.
Your family may need a break as well. You can encourage your parents or brothers and sisters to talk with others and go down to the family room when you need some privacy.
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Daily Medication
Taking medicine every day can get to you after a while, particularly if it's not very pleasant. Obviously the doctors think it's important, or they wouldn't want you to do it.
It can also make you feel different from your friends. So you may want to find ways to make yourself feel more comfortable about it. One is to simply talk with your friends about it.
They can even help you. Like kids with diabetes want their friends to know, in case their blood sugar drops and they need some assistance.
Another way to handle this is to figure out a way to take your medicine in private, so it doesn't become a public issue, if that makes you uncomfortable.
And if you are having battles with your family about it, you may want to talk with your doctors or nurses. They have seen other kids go through this as well.
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Chronic Illness
Being sick for long periods of time is just not fair, is it? Some teens go through different stages of emotions when they are sick for a long time.
You can feel sad or mad or just plain frustrated. And all of that is very normal.
Just remember that all you are going through, being in the hospital, taking medicine and getting various kinds of treatment are all aimed at getting you better. Sometimes it can wear you down.
You always have someone at the hospital who is willing to listen and willing to help you.
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Who Do I Talk To?
Just talk with any people you feel comfortable with at the hospital, whether it is the nurses, doctors, child life specialists, volunteers, whoever.
The hospital has plenty of professional people who work with teenagers all the time - social workers, teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists, chaplains and other staff members.
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