There are some members getting ready to head in for surgery,,,it brought to mind what I may have taken had I known I needed it....I thought I had everything for my stay with my husband for the 6 days he was there....what I did take was...the plug in for my cell phone,,,my address and phone numbers book,,lots of one dallar bills and some change,,(for whatever), chap stick,,,my own pillow for his room,,(although I left it there and bought a new one), a bath robe for him, his cell phone so he could get busy when he felt like talking to others, gum, life savers,,all the necessities of course for hygiene for myself,,and my wardrobe for the 6 days...his new wardrobe to come home in, a pair of the lounge pants with a draw string to leave it loose around the stomach...his sloppy shoes or bed slippers, pens, magazines, stationary or notebook...
If anyone can add to the list please do so,,,and lastly ask for that private room,,and if you have a laptop take it with you...this will help the ones packing a list to check to be sure they are ready....
ginger
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Preparing for surgery, WHAT TO PACK!!!!
- By roadrunner
- Posted September 29, 2008 at 12:12 am · 12 replies
- In Living with invasive bladder cancer
- Shared with the public
- Edited September 29, 2008 at 12:15 am
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- By nancynursez637
- Posted September 29, 2008 at 4:13 am
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It might be helpful to have a small locking suitcase for valuables if he has to be away from the room, or for you to take them with you if he leaves the room. Things like a nice watch, cell phone, ipod, personal reminders, etc can easily be lost, or laptop computer stolen, often not by hospital staff but by kids roaming the hospital without any connection to it.
If he has dentures and or hearing aid, a special container for each with a marking on the top would also be helpful. I cannot tell you how many hearing aids and dentures have been thrown out or lost in my career(not by me). I have seen patients wrap their dentures in their dinner tray napkin and set it down on the tray, So finding ways to protect valuables is good.
Nancy
- By mfenn1957
- Posted September 29, 2008 at 9:05 am
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Ginger's list is great, I packed a sweat suit with a zipper down the leg, it really made dressing around the cathater more convenient. If you are traveling to an out of town medical center make sure you have maps and get a feeling for the area. I grew up near the Cleveland Clinic and stayed with my parents while my husband was hospitalized. I provided direction to a lot a lost woment during his 30 day stay. Most of which were which areas to stay away from at night, and not to be walking alone at any time.
Also do not forget bagels and dounuts for nurses, especially on the weekends. Most hospital cafateria's become bleak on the weekend.
- By grampadonut
- Posted September 29, 2008 at 9:18 am
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we found thru the hospital a reasonable hotel near by , so tammie didnt have to make 2hr trip in everyday.alittle expense but minght so much to me to have her there plus she could talk to docs and find out exactly what was going on
- By roadrunner
- Posted September 29, 2008 at 3:06 pm
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Donut,
Your so right, I was able to stay at the hotel connected to the clinic,a little hoopty poopty ,,( my discription of high end)and not cheap, but when day 3 came I went across the street,,at a less expensive place, as Gene was doing better but I wanted to be there for the Doctors as he wasn't listening,,,its a universal problem for men I think..so good bye MARBLE BATHROOM and back to the Holiday Inn look...I spent day 1 and 2 in his room all nite almost as the doctors come in very early,5 am and 6 am...there's usually lots of choices, cost wise and closeness to the facility...interesting enough there are places around the clinic that are homes people have made into bed and breakfast type homes just for families and are very reasonable.....THANKS FOR ALL THE INPUT,,,there has to be something you may forget!!!
GINGER
- By PaulR
- Posted September 29, 2008 at 10:32 pm
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I've had to make numerous visits to the hospital, due to the many upper tract treatments and bladder biopsies I've had. I made up a checklist, as I usually forget something that I need. Any such list has to be custom-tailored to the individual, of course, but in addition to what's already been mentioned, I take several other things which may be universal. Some of the items are only needed for overnight stays, which are rare, but the doc sometimes admits me if the procedure puts me into a-fib. Items include:
- Paperback book/magazines of favorite reading
- Prescription meds in case hospital has trouble
providing what I need (especially after the
pharmacy has closed for the day).
- Vitamin supplements that I consider important.
- Change of underwear.
- Barf bag in case I need it in car coming home
(anesthesia and spasms tend to make me sick).
- Earplugs (hospitals can be noisy at night, especially
in semi-private rooms).
- Saline nose spray, as I sometimes stop up at night.
- Painkiller pills in case I get spasm in car while
heading home.
I don't need every item for every stay, of course, but when I do need them, it saves a lot of trouble to have them on hand.
PaulR
- By roadrunner
- Posted September 29, 2008 at 11:22 pm
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Paul R,
I love it!!!! The barf bag,,,very important,,,and all your med's,, of course,,,you have added many good idea's,,,thats for sure....thanks for the input,,ginger
- By letsbeatit
- Posted October 1, 2008 at 2:08 am
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The favorite thing I took to the hospital for my RC was a washable down comforter. The blankets can get very heavy and this was light as a feather and so cozy (and red!) I took an extra one along for guests in case they wanted to rest. I took a radio that you can set for sounds - ocean waves, rain, etc. I used it a lot, especially to sleep as I had some noisy neighbors. Having my cell phone was a must since I usually couldn't reach the room phone. A friend brought me a really soft stuffed bear since my husband had recently died and it was nice to cuddle with. I think even the most macho man could probably use something soft and cuddly to keep him company. I'm starting to see a pattern here. I must be a comfort freak!
- By roadrunner
- Posted October 1, 2008 at 12:15 pm
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lets beat it,,,,great idea's,,nothing like having the comfy cozy feeling when away from home. I am sorry you had to endure this just after loosing your husband...he would have wanted you to have all you need with you or your comfort,that he couldn't provide, I am sure he was tucked somewhere in the comforter,,,,thanks for the ideas,,ginger
- By letsbeatit
- Posted October 2, 2008 at 1:14 am
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Thank you for your kind words Ginger. As much as I would have loved to have had my husband with me while going through all of this I know how hard it would have been on him. He died instantly from a heart attack in Jamaica celebrating a wonderful architectural commission he had just received. If he had come home the stress and worry about me might have been the trigger and I wouldn't have wanted to be responsible. There's a reason for everything if we are patient enough to wait to learn it. After I got home I bought a great big teddy bear to hang out with on the couch with me to watch TV. That's a good idea if someone is going to be living alone after surgery. You can hit it or cry huggin it and it also makes a great pillow! Kathy
- By roadrunner
- Posted October 2, 2008 at 11:32 am
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Kathy,
Your so right,,I experienced a similar situation with my sister, her husband passed away this past April,,,none of us were expecting this,as time goes on we seem to get signs , which make it a little easier to live with........Teddy bear is a great idea, I will get one for my sister..........thanks for the idea.....ginger
- By roadrunner
- Posted October 2, 2008 at 4:33 pm
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And so I just remembered something,,,,,,,anything you did take to the hospital, be sure and clean it with clorox clean-up when you get home,,,whether a laptop,,,a brush ,comb,,,comforter, whatever,,wash it and get the germs from the hospital out,,,,you want no lingering bacteria around you.......ginger
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