See also: Additional Resources
Going home is usually a happy time for you and your loved ones. However, you may have some trouble dealing with your feelings. This is normal. You may go through times of feeling anger, frustration, that nothing is going right; and feeling upset with your family. Remember, there was an interruption in everyone's life when you were burned, and everyone needs time to readjust. You may have times of felling depressed because of the changes in your life or you may feel like a burden at times. Talk to the people close to you and share your feelings. Being aware of your feelings and talking about them will help you understand them.
If you begin to feel like you or your loved ones are having a hard time dealing with your feelings and the changes in your life, you may want to talk to a counselor. There are resources available through the Burn Center and in the community that you may want to look into.
There are adult outpatient psychological counseling services available through the Burn Center, as well as in some neighborhood clinics. If you would like to speak with someone about coping with some of the feelings and changes in your life since your burn injury, you can just call and make an appointment. To inquire about psychological services available through the Burn Center, please call 410-550-5298 or the Burn Center office at 410-550-0411. You may also call the Burn Center nurses station at 410-550-0890, and ask to speak with a burn psychologist staff member.
Please also know that the Burn Center facilitates a support group for burn survivors, The New Life Burn Society, that meets on a weekly basis at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. The sharing of similar experiences and offering support to one another are the foundation of this support group. For more information please call 410-550-0777.
Anxiety
Anxiety about dressing changes and physical therapy may also be treated with a medication or any number of stress reduction methods. Some great ways to reduce your stress are to listen to your favorite music or watch a video during a dressing change or during your physical therapy appointment. Regular exercise and deep breathing are also ways you can improve your mental outlook and reduce your body’s stress response. If anxiety is a concern for you, please speak with your doctor at your next Burn Clinic appointment
Sexual Concerns
Usually there is no reason why you cannot return to your normal sexual relations when you go home. Be open and honest with your partner about what feels good and what hurts. If your genitals and/or the area surrounding them were burned, the new skin will be tender for a few months, so be patient. Also, it is important to understand that your sex drive may not be what it was before you were burned, but be patient because it usually returns to normal after a few months. Even though you have been told to wear your compression garments 23 hours a day, you may take them off for sexual activity. If you continue to have problems, please speak with your doctor.
Going home is usually a very happy and exciting time when a child has been in the hospital, but it can also be very stressful. You and your child will need time for readjustment. Usually, your child will feel that they need a lot more of your time, and you may feel that you should give your child extra time. This can cause problems especially if you have other children. Just remember to be patient and treat your child with love. You should both work together toward getting life back to the way it was before the burn happened.
Returning to School
 |
| While being treated in the Burn Center, children may spend time in the Child Life Room, on the Pediatric Unit. |
Going back to school can be very scary for your child, but he or she should return to school as soon as the doctor says it’s okay. Getting back to your child’s normal routine will really help with his or her adjustment back to home and school. It may take awhile before his or her energy level returns to what it used to be, and they may need rest periods.
The Burn Center offers a School Re-entry Program, which consists of a team from the hospital that will go out to the child’s school to help prepare their classmates and teachers for their return. This team consists of Burn Center staff that has worked with your child. The program will help their classmates understand more about burns, burn prevention, and the specific needs of your child. The Child Life Specialist will speak with you about setting up school re-entry for your child, but can be contacted at 410-550-0301 for more information.
Emotional Adjustment
While your child was at the Burn Center, a psychologist may have worked with you and your child to help deal with the many stresses and difficulties of being burned. At times, children made need counseling after they leave the hospital to help deal with what has happened. At the time of discharge, arrangements can be made for outpatient counseling if needed. If you have any questions or concerns, you may call the Burn Center nurses station directly at 410-550-0890 and ask for the burn psychologist.
