Hospital Knitting

My husband had a major heart surgery at Stanford Hospital on Monday. It was a procedure that we've known needed to be done for about 3 years now, and after they monitored it closely, about a month ago we were "invited" to the appear for surgery asap. The surgery went will with hopefully few complications (he did suffer a mild stroke, which we hope will not affect him in the long-term). It was our pre-op appointment experience which gave me the inspiration for this entry.

I noticed that there are oodles of people in the pre-op and surgical waiting areas at Stanford Hospital. Dozens of people sitting around, reading the paper, staring into space, or napping while they wait for a loved-one's surgery or appointments (about 6) with all the people necessary when preparing for surgery. It's the same in the ICU waiting area, only then it's whole families, passing 90 minute spans in between the allowed 30 minute visit that occurs every 2 hours (i.e. 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00). As is my habit, I plopped myself down in a chair to wait, and whipped out my knitting. It was mindless knitting (for me, the most soothing kind), so as I cranked out my Baby Genius Burp Cloth, I had a chance to look at everyone else. My thought was "I am lucky. I get to leave the waiting room and spend my waiting time in the comfort of my sister's home," because dh and I had already discussed this. I had told him that the best place for me to wait during his surgery would be knitting on the couch at a cozy knitting store, about one city North of Stanford, but I would be a good wife and wait in the waiting room. Well, he informed me that I should not stay at the hospital and that they were going to send me home b/c his surgery would last about 8 hours. So that was the plan. But I couldn't help to think about all those poor people who did not have a house less than 3 miles from the hospital, to go and try to relax while waiting the results of the surgery (incidentally, the wonderful Stanford policy is that the surgeon's nurse either calls or finds the family in the hospital for updates on the surgery a minimum of every 2 hours, or as needed if more frequently). And so the lightbulb went on....

I think it would be a great idea to have some kind of a volunteer program in the waiting area(s) of the hospital where someone could be offered some needles, a ball of yarn, and simple pattern, say a "Warm Up America" square, a preemie cap, or a chemo cap, to help pass the time. The squares could be then left at the hospital for finishing and/or donation to the children's hospital, chemo ward, etc. What better way to 1) soothe an anxious soul, 2) pass the time, 3) take your mind off your own stressors for a few minutes while helping someone else 4) possibly put your situation in perspective?

I've had some time to think out the possibilities (soliciting donated yarns from a network of lys's in the area and some of the major yarn manufacturers, figuring out whom to approach at the hospital). I even emailed a couple of local knitters--whom I've met on knitlist and found on ravelry. I wanted to know if they knew of any program that existed already. I also googled any kind of hospital knitting, and found that some hospitals do have "knitting baskets" in their waiting areas. I even came across an amusing story about how the knitting baskets in the emergency rooms in some hospitals were viewed as dangerous, and some were removed due to safety concerns. If anyone watches "ER" or the reality ER shows on TV, you'll see their point.

I haven't been able to go talk to the Stanford Auxiliary/Guest Services folks yet--unfortunately I got quite a nasty cold right before dh's surgery, and lost my voice. It's still coming back. But I did talk to a volunteer, also a knitter, who asked about my knitting, and another hospital tech who was on break joined in. The volunteer gave me the name of the volunteer coordinator. (I am not sure if I will start with her, or go straight to Auxiliary.) They both think it's a great idea. In addition, I learned that "Guest Services" for hospital patients & their family, provide many services, including bedside art therapy, book carts, and other things. Even the wife of the man in the bed next to dh's saw my knitting and thought that my idea is good. She even mentioned wanting to go pick up some knitting so she could have something to do while she spends her days with her husband at the hospital. Even some therapist, in dh's room to help the other guy, saw my knitting and said to me "I want to talk to you! I am a knitter too!"

DH is not ready to be released yet, but possibly soon. I've got most of my voice back, too. So I'm going to try to find the right people to speak to tomorrow. We'll be here in California for another few weeks until hopefully dh is stable enough to fly home. Although I won't be able to see any type of program here come to fruition in such a short time, I'm really excited about being able to at least get the ball rolling, I can offer to solicit donations and things even from Hawaii, if needed. (My ravelry contact has already given me the name of a store that may be interested). I hope it works out. Wish me luck!!

PS A few days ago, after learning that dh had a mild stroke (something that is a known risk of the surgery), I had brought a variety of things for him to do to try to stimulate his mind. After he played with his "Tweny Questions" electronic game for a bit (yes, it's fun for adults, too), I asked if he'd like to knit something. He said he would, if it was something small so as not to weigh his arms down--when you have open heart surgery, the arms are very hard to move for a long time. So I taught him how to do a 3-stitch i-cord, since it's part of a thank you gift I'm working on for his surgeon (an anatomical heart pillow). I had to watch dh carefully, but I know he's going to be ok if he can still knit!