Laughter in the ICU
“What’s that noise coming out of your patient’s room?” asked the other nurses to my nurse.
“That’s laughter,” my nurse Hope said.
When telling me this story, Hope said they don’t hear laughter often because most of the patients on the ICU floor are intubated, so they’re silent. I was at risk of being intubated this hospital stay and it absolutely terrified me.
Once I would be intubated, it would be extremely likely I would have to get surgery for a tracheostomy. A tracheostomy is a surgery where you have a hole in your throat and a ventilator tube attaches to it. A ventilator then breathes for you instead of your nose or mouth.
I found it ironic that my nurse was named Hope, when that is the one thing I struggle with anytime I’m in the hospital. After a six year hiatus of being healthy, I found my way back in the hospital and in the ICU. The absolute last place I wanted to be. I sobbed when my doctor told me I had to check in to Hotel Hospital.
Even though it’s a miserable, terrible, horrible place, I do my best to make my stays in the hospital tolerable. Laughter is one way. Not only does it cheer us up, it cheers up all the employees there too. And I know they could use a smile. They do such grueling, thankless work that even just a smile makes their day.
Whether you’re staying after a surgery, had something come up, are a frequent visitor, or have a loved one in the hospital, here are some ways to keep laughter happening in the ICU. Here are my 5 lessons from the ICU.
Decorate
I was used to the Children’s hospital where colorful paintings, artwork, and bright paint adorned the halls. The ceilings were painted and stickers were everywhere. Well not in the adult hospital. My room had paint peeling off the walls. Everything was beige and brown. My friend brought me a St. Patrick’s Day card because I was in the hospital over that Irish holiday and I hung it up on my brown door. It added a little bit of fun color and brightness to the dull, boring, BROWN room.
2. Bring Comforts from Home
The hospital stinks with its alcoholic, strong disinfectant smell and feels nothing like home. You have to wear a strange gown that exposes you, be hooked up to wires, and are constantly being poked and prodded by strangers when you are at your most vulnerable state. Dorothy was not lying when she said there is not place like home in The Wizard of Oz.
When you are in the hospital, you crave some sense of normalcy and comfort. That is why I always bring my own fuzzy socks, my own blankets, and my trusty stuffed animals. The nurses made fun of my blankets this stay, but I didn’t care. They bring me familiarity during a hard time. Pro tip: have an emergency to-go bag or at least be organized to grab your home essentials in a rush.
3. Accessorize
Lately, I have been obsessed with Funko POPs. My mom finds them creepy, but I find them adorable. My favorite Disney character is Ariel; so, I obviously had to buy the Ariel Funko POP keychain. My mom decided to hang it on my ventilator and it made the perfect addition.
While the hospital staff were freaking out about my respiratory rates and my ventilator, I would look over at my vital but scary looking piece of medical equipment, and smile when I saw my keychain. It helped to make such an intimidating medical device look cute and personalized with my touch and love for Ariel.
My mom also plugs in my essential oil diffuser and has orange or lavender in my room. The nurses can smell it down the hall and always come in my room asking what that lovely smell is. It truly helps not only the smell, but brings back home-like qualities.
4. Reach out to Friends
When you’re at your lowest, sometimes you feel like isolating yourself from the world. I recently learned to not believe the lies I tell myself. I have many friends who love and care for me, and they want to know what’s going on in my life, the good and bad. You do too, even when you don’t feel like it.
I reached out to a few close friends and told them I was struggling. Not just physically, but mentally too. The hospital takes a toll on your spirits and can bring you down quickly to where you lose all hope. Calling your friends instantly lifts you up.
I had several friends come visit me. They told me stories, laughed with me, and comforted me. They listened while I complained about the terrible conditions and staff, and brought me goodies. I’m so thankful to have such amazing friends who are there for me.
I also learned that my friends struggle with a lot of the same anxieties I have. I would’ve had no idea unless I had shared my struggles. It made me feel less alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and talk to others.
5. Dance it Out
Music is therapy. They even have music therapy as a thing now! It’s true, just Google it. I’m sure you’ve seen those videos of elderly people in the nursing homes jamming out to a song, or MS patients recovering movement thanks to music. Music truly has healing properties.
Anytime I would be in the hospital, I listened to music. At night time, I play relaxing sounds and calm music. During the day, I would play more dance beats. When I’m upset, I would listen to worship music and feel God’s presence.
It would motivate me to move and not stay in bed all day. When I don’t move in the hospital, I lose all of my muscle and ability to move. After I get released, it could take weeks and months for me to regain my strength back.
At the Children’s hospital, they would have Child Life Specialists play music for me during hard procedures I had to endure. In the adult hospitals, you have to suck it up and find your own ways to cope. I personally don’t understand why we don’t have Adult Life Specialists because I was just as scared as I was when I was a kid. But I digress.
Music is one way I’ve found to cope. Now I can listen to all the cuss words and explicit music and shout profanity at my situation. F*** you hospitals and Muscular Dystrophy! (Can anyone make that into a song please?)