Info for friends and family

Our Chameleon's surgery will be this coming Wednesday, July 20th. (not sure what time yet) We will begin staying at The Ronald McDonald House in Chicago on Monday night since he is scheduled for labs and Dr. visits all day Tuesday at the clinic.

Many people have been asking what we need. 

Most importantly we need prayer. Prayer for him, and for all of us. 

Due to the fact that this surgery had to be rescheduled and my mom had already made arrangements to be here the first time, it turns out that my mom won't be able to make it here a second time. This means that we could be asking for help with one or both of the other kids during the next 2 weeks. We will be able to have them downtown in the city with us, but there will be times that they will need a break. 

Also our dogs, Romeo and Juliette will need to be looked in on a few times a day. Romeo will Need to get outside for some exercise, but won't be able to do much. Juliette on the other hand would love for anyone to come by and take her to a park or on a trail for a walk. They are good dogs and have a very good nature, unless you show up in a mail delivery uniform. All they ever really want is some love and attention. 

Some people have also asked what kinds of things our Chameleon can have while at the hospital, so I have compiled a list of things that would be helpful.

follow this link to Send a free card


Things you can bring or send to Karston at the hospital:
Activity books with crosswords, wordsearches, and puzzles
Madlibs
a stress ball to squeeze while in pain
small snacks such as cookies
small stuffed animals
small plants
balloons
cards
or just call and ask what else he might need or want


Here is also a list of things that could also be helpful when planning a visit or call to the hospital.

Children's Memorial Hospital
2300 Children's Plaza (Fullerton and Lincoln Avenues)
Chicago, Illinois 60614-3363
To reach the main hospital: 773.880.4000

Visits by family and friends help the healing process but please note that our policies and hours vary by floor. For example, Critical Care (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) and Neonatology (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) have more specific visiting guidelines

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General hours: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. everyday

• Up to four people, including parents or guardians, are permitted at the child's bedside
• Per the Illinois Department of Public Health, children under 12 cannot visit patients in isolation
• To ensure the health and safety of patients and staff, visitors who have the following symptoms will not be allowed to visit:
  • Runny nose or nasal congestion
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Fever or 100° 
• Please contact the charge nurse on your child's floor about cases that may need exceptions.

Sending a gift is easy through our hospital Gift Shop

Books, balloons, favorite furry friends and more are among the gifts available to order online for in-room delivery. Available Mondays through Fridays, the hospital Gift Shop delivers gifts within the hour and includes a free card with your personal message.

To speak to the Gift Shop, call 773.880.4601:

Before placing your gift order, confirm with the family that the child is still in the hospital. Unfortunately, gifts cannot be shipped to a child's home. So if a gift cannot be delivered, the Gift Shop will contact you and provide a refund.

• 8:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday
• 8:15 a.m. through 4 p.m. Friday
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; and
• Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Thank you to all of our friends, family, and neighbors that want to contribute to helping our Chameleon and our whole family through difficult times.