I wouldn't worry about being a bother - if my experience over the last couple of years is representative, the staff won't mind if you keep it short and to the point. The staff at the oncology ward certainly sounded a pleasant bunch when I called, and they'll understand the predicament of somebody who is about as sick as you can possibly get and with nobody around to call on.

When I was in hospital after my heart attack the staff made it pretty clear that they didn't like the price-gouging private phone/TV rental system any more than I did.