Hospital Packing List

After 3 and a half days in the hospital Ruby is doing remarkably well! Today she was full of laughs and loves entertaining the other people we share a room with. Although the doctors won't tell us any time frame, we are thinking she could realistically leave the middle of next week, but whether the doctors agree is a different story!


Yesterday we saw the geneticist and he was able to give us a diagnosis. Although it hasn't been genetically tested, he has diagnosed and we are fairly certain she has Type I Cockayne Syndrome. Read a general summary here.


In the mean time I will tell you what I have learned about the public hospital here in Nicaragua through a generic packing list :)


1. Toilet paper. We do have a bathroom with we share with the other 3 patients and their moms, but toilet paper is not provided, so bring your own.


2. Towel, shampoo. The patients are required to be bathed every morning, but no soap or towel is provided so if you aren't prepared, you can give a water bath using the past day's clothing as a towel.


3. Sheets/blanket, pillow. The bed you are given is a plain mattress with no covering, so if you wish your child to sleep on anything other than a plastic mattress, bring your own bed dressings.


4. A Glass. Three surprisingly good looking meals are provided for  the patients, juice is also provided, but you have to bring your own glass or else you are out of luck!


5. Silverware. Along with the lack of a glass, you are also not provided any silverware. So enjoy your meal, just be prepared to eat with you your fingers.


6. Pen/writing utensil. You may be asked to keep a journal of the child's food intake, which is just fine, but remember to bring your own pen or else you will have to keep in all in your head. 


7. Diapers, wipes, clothes. The patients don't wear hospital gowns, so make sure you bring anything to keep your child clothed. 


8. Food for yourself. Someone has to be with your patient at all times, so you should bring yourself for yourself, but you aren't allowed to bring food into the hospital, so hide it well in your bag or on your body so the guard won't find it as he searches.