Help with 4 year old Hem/Onc in isolation

Specialties Pediatric

Published

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping some of you can help me with ideas for my four year old daughter in isolation right now. She has ALL dx 11/2014 and is currently in maintenance therapy. Last week her counts started to drop (about a month after starting oral 6mp and mtx) and on Monday her ANC 80, WBC 0.6 and plt 11. Tues she spiked a temp 102 ax, went to ED and admitted for positive nasal swab adenovirus. She's not on the hem/onc floor bc of risk of transmission. Is on the infant/toddler unit with all kinds of yucky bugs. Now on isolation both ways for 5 days. Has diarrhea and conjunctivitis but otherwise stable. She is starting to become very stressed from the isolation (me, Dad and little sister at bedside all the time) and I'm running out of ways to play and keep her occupied. I'm also badly scaring myself researching adenovirus in her population. Her primary is not on service this week, we usually have in depth discussions on everything that's going on. The on call doesn't really elaborate much.

So my questions are:

what are some ideas of things to do for fun while confined (think outside the box)?

And if you have POSITIVE experiences to share about your ped hem/onc patients who were immunosuppressed with adenovirus who got through just fine, please share. The Mother and the RN in me are terrified. Thank you.

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Do they have child life specialists where she is hospitalized?

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

I have little advice and no experience in this situation as I don't know peds or heme/onc well. Just wanted to offer my best wishes for a speedy recovery for your little one!

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They usually have child life specialist come by with differ toys and gadgets. They also do art and music therapy.

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They have child life, but the one right now just comes in and drops off some stuff really quickly and leaves. The one from our hem/onc floor was awesome, as well as the staff. They always made her and us feel loved and did a great job making things fun. She's getting bored with everything and tired of the tiny four walls. They are now filled with paintings and projects. This time there is little interaction from staff and I'm running out of ideas.

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They have child life, but the one right now just comes in and drops off some stuff really quickly and leaves. The one from our hem/onc floor was awesome, as well as the staff. They always made her and us feel loved and did a great job making things fun. She's getting bored with everything and tired of the tiny four walls. They are now filled with paintings and projects. This time there is little interaction from staff and I'm running out of ideas.

Talk to the floor manager.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Agree with above, talk to floor manager or case manager.

Does your hospital have a garden?

Somehow arrange for her to have a quick trip outside to the garden. Even if for only 10min, but getting her a change of scenery.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

Does the hem/onc staff and child life specialist know that you are admitted? Maybe some familiar faces could come visit.

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Could the heme onc child life specialist come for a visit on this floor?! She (he) may not know you are admitted and I am sure shed love to

Stop by!

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I've been a Peds hem/onc nurse for 4 years and have seen adenovirus a handful of times in our neutropenic kids, they all got through it fine. I'm sure it's hard being a RN and mommy during this, thinking of your daughter and you!

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