In the hospital, and I'm scared about what to expect.

[Carolyn]

I have a really bad infection and I'm being hospitalized...

I'm really really scared about this whole thing for several reasons.

1. I don't handle pain really well.
2. I do not like needles. And the IV they gave me is already no fun.
3. I'm in a gown thingie, which makes me feel really awkward...
4. I'm going to start my period in a day or two, and I'm not sure how to handle that, and what they'll do if I tell them :0
5. The doctor says they are going to put in a catheter. What is that? And will it hurt?

Has this ever happened to anyone else? (or bits of it)!?! I'm really scared so even if anyone here could tell me what they are going to do or reassure me, that would be great :0

[Hockeyplayer1]

If you have an infection they are going to give you the IV so they can give you antibiotics and fluid and other stuff to help your body cure itself.

While on the IV they have to monitor ins and outs as far as fluid so they dont overload your body with fluid and make it hard for your heart to pump and i think eventually fluid backs up in your lungs or something.

So the Catheter lets them accurately measure your fluid output.

The catheter is a small tube that goes where your pee exits your body so you will want to tell your hopefully female nurse about your expected period.

I have never had a catheter but im told they are a little awkward at first but then you forget its there.

As far as the Iv in your arm or whereever they put it Its not a needle its a plastic catheter (plastic tube) that sits in your vain. They will have to change it like every 2 days or so it doesnt get infected itself.

Any other questions ask me I have connections to the medical world and if nothing else can find someone who has a clue.

[littlechief]

Hockeyplayer1 gave pretty good information.

Here is some more, and some corrections:

The catheter they are talking about might not necessarily be for urine. It is the most common kind of catheter (I think) but catheters can go anywhere...like he mentioned, an IV is a catheter...it's a tube. If you had a lung problem (which I don't think you do, just hypothetically) doctors could put a catheter in your lung to drain fluid.

Unless you are having problems "down there" and there is some reason why you can't pee, they might be talking about a catheter somewhere else. From what I know hospitals don't put in catheters down there unless they really need to.

Also, when I was in the hospital for over a week, they didn't have to change my IV. They asked if I was ok with it, so maybe they can switch hands if it starts to bother you.

Good luck. I hope you get better soon.

[Kaius]

Depending on how long you're in there you can ask your family to bring in some things for you, bed clothes and things so you can put something on over the gown if you want to however with the catheter you aren't going to be able to wear anything but possibly underwear if it doesn't get it in the way or anything.

Catheters do hurt a little bit but the pain of this is going to be much less than the pain of the infection if they don't get rid of it, look at it like that. The pain won't last for too long you'll eventually get used to the feeling but if you've never had one before it will take a bit of getting used to. I've had one of these and a few IVs for the last three weeks for various reasons so don't worry, you're not the only one :P Its quite degrading if you're not used to this sort of thing but it does ease after a little while.

As for the period it might be a good idea you let one of your doctors know or have a parent let them know, you don't need to be ashamed they've seen it all before and I know that doesn't make it any easier but they're there to help you, not ridicule you or anything.

[Carolyn]

Thank you all for the help. Okay, so basically they put the IV in my left arm which is fine by me. It didn't hurt as much as I thought it would which was good.

They have me hooked up to a few things so they won't let me wear a normal shirt, since they need access to that part of me. :/ I hope this doesn't last too long, because I just feel really awkward and exposed...

Also, they put the catheter in me down there, and that was the worst, most horribly embarrassing and most painful thing ever :(

Other that being mortified that I had to go through all that. It also means I really can't wear anything like panties or sophies. So I guess I'll just have to deal with being naked in a gown.(I know it will help me get better but ahhh!)

I'm not sure how long I have to stay. I feel miserable. I also started my period so I'm on this emotional roller coaster and it's not fun, but I'm stuck with it for a few days regardless :(

[KidImage]

Dont be so hard on yourself you'll be fine soon I promise :)

[Josiah7]

I fully agree with everything that has been said above, they covered all the bases. Hope that they clear up the infection soon, so you get well. Keep us updated :)

[Carolyn]

:) I'm feeling a lot better now. They are planning to let me out later today or tomorrow :)

I just want to thank everyone here for their support and help.

[TheMightyBruce]

Congrats on the quick recovery and VT is always here for you!