Top 10 Things to Pass the Time While In the Hospital

This is a list of the top 10 things to help J pass time in the hospital.  (This list is his, editorial comments are mine.)


10.  Going to the bathroom.  Hey, this isn't my list.  Who am I to argue?

9.  Nurses.  No, he's only 11.  They aren't helping pass the time that way:)  J is very inquisitive, though and has learned so much from watching what the nurses do.  He has this great way of looking like he's not paying attention, but later shows he didn't miss a detail.

8.  Food.  Food is great, when you have an appetite.  The chemotherapy tries to break that appetite.  It's also good when the food served is tasty.  I think J has only had about 1/2 a meal from the hospital cafeteria.  Most of what he eats is brought in special from home.  Tonight was more tortilla chips with nacho cheese.

7.  Visitors.  This would probably get a higher rank, but many visitors have actually been more interesting to Mom and Dad than to J, but when it's his friends from school, it is great.  (If you are one of those adult visitors, don't feel bad, we love having your visits, too).

6.  Teacher.  His school teacher has been his tutor.  This admission he has finally felt well enough to do some schoolwork in the hospital.  It was sad when we first realized that he would miss most of the remaining school year because he really enjoyed school.  The time his teacher has spent with him, in the hospital and at home, is a great gift.

5.  Books.

4.  New Lego sets.  This has proven to be the best distractor.  J can be groggy while recovering from anesthesia with incisional pain that isn't controlled, but still turn all his attention to a new Lego set.

3.  Kindle.  Particularly the game Apps.  Angry Birds GO is a new favorite.

2.  TV.  Whether re-run after re-run after re-run of Disney Channel shows or Cartoon Network or more serious movie marathons, the TV is a sure way to pass the time.

1.  Sleeping.  Unfortunately, sleep in the hospital has so many interruptions (mainly numbers 9 and 10 on this list).  I love the moment when his breathing deepens and I realize he has drifted off to sleep and for a brief time will be in a peaceful sleep.

The other neat thing about J is that I think he can work on all 10 of these items simultaneously.  Crazy.