I go to the hospital
Once, when I was sick I had to go to the hospital. I stayed there for a
while.
Hospitals sound different from my house. There is the sound of wheels.
Meal carts and wheel chairs and scrub pails roll on wheels. Nurses’
shoes make soft padding sounds. Mothers’ heels make tap-tapping sounds.
A soft voice somewhere says, “Calling Dr. Brown.” One sound I always
like to hear is dishes rattling. That means it’s time to eat!
Hospitals smell different from my house, too. They smell of soap and
floor polish and the cream the nurse rubs on my back. Sometimes they
smell of medicine. Sometimes I smell flowers.
Hospitals are kept very, very clean. People who work in hospitals must
be clean, too. Nurses and doctors wash their hands many times a day. I
have to wash myself often, too, when I’m in the hospital.
My hospital bed has sides on it. They go up and down. A card at the end
of my bed has my name on it. I wear a bracelet with my name on it, too.
And I wear a hospital gown in the hospital.
Hospitals have a great many special people who do their best to help me
get well. The helpers I see most are the nurses and nurses’ aides. The
nurses take care of
I put on a hospital gown. Then a nurse gives me a bracelet that has my
name on it.
me by doing what my doctor says. The aides help the nurses in every way
they can.
Sometimes my doctor does not want me to get out of bed. Then a nurse or
an aide may help me to eat or even to take a bath right in bed.
Sometimes my doctor wants an X ray. An X ray is a picture of some part
of the inside of me. The X-ray technologist takes an X ray with a
giant-sized camera.
A laboratory technician takes a little of my blood. It will help the
doctor to help me.
In a special room, an X-ray technologist takes a picture of me—an X
ray. It doesn’t hurt.
There is a special place where I can play when I am feeling better.
Blood tells many things about my body. A laboratory technician takes a
little blood from my arm or a fingertip. She uses a needle. It stings,
but it isn’t bad. Blood tests help the doctor know how to take care of
me.
Many other people help me when I am in the hospital, too.
People from the play department teach me new things to do that are fun.
Teachers come to help children study.
I do what the hospital helpers want me to do. I want to get well and go
home.
I can take a toy with me to the hospital. My mother and father can visit
me every day. I watch television. I make new friends. Time goes quickly.
I get well. And then I go home.
I was sick. Now I’m well. Good-by, hospital. Good-by, new friends.
Good-by, Doctor. Hello, Mother!
