Faith and ITP

Just been discharged this afernoon. My count was 8 on saturday and was admitted and finally got the IVIG and been discharged on count of 24. Day ward next wednesday. Though hope my platelets do stay up now for a considerable time since I have when appropriate been asking for IVIG and if it goes down in the week Doc is going to think different:P

Anyone with a belief in God - or their own God (agnostic) might like to think about this little adventure if they can get the finances together.

A member fo the church came around, ordinary as in you or me, not ordained etc. Just walking from room to room so in a way I guess she had authority to be there. And chatted to patients willing to chat. I happened to be one of them. I talked about what happening etc in my life and church and when she left she gave my a little book of poems with photographs I think done by her and a team, properly published etc though not for sale published. And yes, I have been meaning to read a poem each night but got too much into my own pattern I guess.

But with any of you who has a faith and know a few people who could get together and do something inspirational. Get authorised to go into the hospital wards and be a listening ear at the same time because you would 'act' as that friend and an opportunity to share God with people in an approachable way may be.

I don't know about your hospitals but most hospitals here have Chaplins - hims or hers - and you can request one to visit or request someone from your faith to visit or get someone from your own church to visit.

When my child first went into the hospital, I had been warned by a doctor friend to expect that, so I kept a bag packed in the car trunk for that purpose. I was prepared. On another occasion, I really wasn't prepared, as a nosebleed sent us to the ER then to admission. I thought about the moms in the children's hospital who don't expect to be there. There's a gown for the child, but the mom ends up sleeping in her clothes if she doesn't want to leave the child alone in the hospital. I bought a few inexpensive pj sets, toiletry kits, and magazines, and made up a few gift boxes with an encouraging card inside for the hospital to pass out to moms who didn't expect to be there. (I knew the nurses, and they could trust what I said was in the box.) Any little gesture is appreciated when you are in that situation.
Norma

Norma what a wonderful, thoughtful thing to do - bless you!

All hospitals don't have chaplains. They will call a minister, rabbi, priest, or the religious you ask them to call. Works sometimes. Sometimes not. It all depends on the law in your state, and if there is a congregation of your faith nearby who will provide this service.

How about a prayer board on this site? For sure we are not all the same faith. But also for sure we can all pray for each other and each other's family and friends?

The hospital I go does have a hospital chaplin and they do very good work. But sometimes it is nice for patients to receive free gifts when they are 'stuck' and sometimes it is nice to receive non clerical visitors. This one just happened to be walking through rather than an arranged visit. It was a nice gesture and it doesn't have to be prayer for those of non faith. It can be a thought of the day that give you hope. But that little something extra to help break the day up and that little gift to know that someone is thinking about you.

Rhiannon,
It is great that your hospital does have chaplains. And I think what Juliann is doing is a great idea. I was just commenting for those who do like a religious of their faith to visit, that this might not always be available unless your family gets one to visit. I have personally been in two different hospitals, neither one of which provided a minister of my faith, even though one was requested. For those who don't want that visit, that's fine. My suggestion of a prayer list was an idea that I thought some might like. I meant no insult, it is just my habit to pray for anyone, whether they are of my faith or not, whether they believe in God or not, and whether I know them or not. From what I've seen, these message boards are full of lots of people, and finding those who wouldn't mind a prayer or two would be difficult.

I didn't take it as an insult either;)

I forget that UK and USA are very different at times and I think most UK hospitals have chaplinicy teams or will contact the relevant priest on request if not. We are formally asked when we are admitted if we would like the priest or the team to visit. So it lack of my understanding that in America it is very different to here in UK so am sorry if I upset you into thinking I was offended. I hope I can ease you into saying that I'm not offended

Ps
You are right too in that it is a nice gesture of putting a card in the packed bag etc. I always wear cotton in hospital as for me its more comfy though if one likes silk, satin, those extra little luxuries go a very long way into helping one feel 'special'. And will help someone else think about what they take with them.

In the very early days, my dad did say have a bag packed ready just to pick up. My count isn't as frequent to need that but the idea is there and yes if I am suspect my count is dropping I buy myself a few little treat things that I can have whilst in hospital.

What I meant to do was to show that I wasn't at all offended by that other people don't believe in God but have their own way of showing support and encouragement etc and all are that nice extra gesture to keep oneself going if react to treatement etc. Am sorry to have caused you to feel I might be upset.