Packing for hospital...must take items?

[tweedy57]

To all experienced Hipsters & knees,

I'm getting ready for my big date this coming Tuesday!! Besides obvious things like deoderant and toothbrush/toothpaste, what was the best items you took to the hospital? I want my own clothes on eventually, not hospital gowns, so what is the best for physical therapy,and promanading with a walker, manuveuring with operated-on hip? Access to hip incision needed? Footwear? Long pants vs. short, long sleeves vs short? Staying warm? Best comfort items? Reading material or watching t.v.?
Any suggestions?

Tweety (eagerly waiting for new right hip on Dec.8th)

 

[sasvermont]

Here's what I took with me and did just fine:

I wore a pair of hard bottomed slippers to/from and while in the hospital.

I took a brush, comb and toothbrush and paste.

I wore the hospital gowns (two when walking the halls).

I also took my cellphone to use as an alarm for when my medications were due.

I wore home, the clothes I wore on the way in.



I think I was feeling so sleepy and tired, not much matter to me beyond these few items.

Good luck.
:thmb:

 

[SheriALS]

I only ended up being in hospital for 24 hours so I stayed in the gown the whole time but I had packed loose fitting yoga pants in case I stayed longer and that is what I wore home (and for many days afterward) I also wear those for appts with surgeon because then I just wear those during the xray and don't have to put on those awful shorts made of landscape cloth & I can just slide them down if he wants to see the incision.

I was never cold at the hospital and they actually had to bring me in a fan because I was so hot. Layers would be best.

My favorite thing was my IPOD. The nurses kept waking me up at night and at one point I couldn't sleep anymore so I just put my IPOD in and listened & sang until I got tired.

I brought a book but couldn't really focus to read very well.
Brought my laptop but didn't use it.

My sister brought me some small boxes of chocolate which I found very comforting in the evening

Aside from that and the usual hygiene products you will be good to go.

So close now...try to keep yourself busy these next few days to keep your mind from needless worry. Visit with friends, talk on the phone, go to the movies...GO SHOPPING!

Best to you,
Sheri

 

[JudyS]

It seems when this question has come up before, no one seems to be able to concentrate on a book. Magazines maybe. That's what I'm bringing. I sometimes wear pj's on the way there and just go home in them. Especially at those be there at 5am surgeries. Mp3 player i did use last time. I used the hospital socks for walking the halls. Although they did supply toothbrush, paste, some type of body wash/shampoo, I am bringing my own this time. The toothbrush disintegrates (don't like eating bristles!!)
Some visits i've basically dozed in and out of sleep all day and nite.
Good Luck
judy

 

[Josephine]

There is a very substantial list in the Library, tweedy! Please check that.

 

[Judles]

I always say........pack your patience and sense of humor.......you'll be sure to need BOTH!! Good luck!!!

 

[jaz]

At the risk of sounding cheeky don't forget to buy yourself some big Granny undies, you won't want anything fitted around the scar for quite some time.

Magazines and cellphone for texting were my must have's, but I would add an MP3 player to that.

 

[Texas]

Hi there yes Jo has a list in a half...great list............I wish you the best hope you ck in when you can..........you will do just fine...........Prayers your way.............best of luck to you..........

 

[tweedy57]

Thanks for all the suggestions, it is all about comfort. Patience and sense of humor and big comfy grannie undies, definitely! Candy to share with the nursing staff, smart idea. I have been reading through the Library, more great stuff.
Long 10 hour day at work today. 2 more work days left to get through before surgery. The drive to work and home is hard,hip aching all the way to foot..I hope my cruise control holds out. I am sooooo ready to feel better.
Betsy "Tweety"

 

[Texas]

YES YES love the granny panties..........hehe...........aw sorry your hurtin not much longer hang in there but try to rest in there somewhere.......)

 

[Josephine]

I bought knickers (panties) 3 sizes too big to wear in hospital. I also wore them to theatre as the paper ones they gave me I could barely get one leg into! :hehe:

 

[tweedy57]

I wondered what they made you wear "on the table"...paper knickers/panties. Just one of those questions I didn't thought about but didn't ask!!!

TWEETSTER

 

[teejay]

Tweety

I had my wife’s laptop, and that was the only thing I needed. I was unable to concentrate on reading books, but awake enough to read BoneSmart and post silly posts. BS, PT, and sleeping filled up my day. The cellphone is a must, though. Four days, eh? Best of luck to you.

 

[tweedy57]

I'm to be at the hospital at 10:30. Prepped and in Surgery at 12:30 PM on Tues the 8th. In hospital 9th and 10th then released on Friday the 11th. I'm hoping in the morning on Friday!! Maybe I'll wow them with my recovery and they'll let me out on Thursday!? But that's the plan of action.
So how does insurance count the days, by the shifts, or do you get a discount if you are kicked out early:hehe:?

Just thinking out loud...Tweety:skp:

 

[Clunker]

I bought knickers (panties) 3 sizes too big to wear in hospital. I also wore them to theatre as the paper ones they gave me I could barely get one leg into! :hehe:

Ummmmmm,,,Ummmm,,,paper ones???

I don't think them would work for me,,,get excited,,,,and well you know.You would hear the sound of tearing paper,,:whis:


Haha,,I will say and ask no more momma hen,,,lol.:hehe:

 

[JudyS]

I've always been pretty naked except for the lovely short gown.
judy

 

[1jt@atime]

Me too Judy....nothing but a hospital gown and maybe a lovely, matching paper hat!

 

[sasvermont]

Me too. The gowns worked just fine. No one ever knew!!! :hehe:

 

[Josephine]

I would never go to theatre without modesty pants. And for what it's worth, would get real ansty if patients were brought into my operating room without as well! Even those coming for gynae ops or cystoscopies would get a bath towel or something draped over their 'never minds' until the doctor was ready. In fact, come to think of it, I actually resigned from one job because my efforts to provide patients with appropriate modesty were consistently rejected by the other staff and the manager met my complaint with the old chestnut "but we've always done it that way"! NO reason to strip a patient off unnecessarily even if they are unconscious - especially if they are unconscious. I took my position as patient advocate very seriously and, in case you hadn't noticed, still do!

 

[jaz]

Good on you Josephine, I had X-rays last year to see whether my LHR had moved and they made me strip down to nothing but a gown for an Xray. My OS was horrified and bollocked them all in front of me and made them get me some paper underwear so I had a bit of decency. Having said that for surgery you only wear a gown and I stayed in nothing but a gown until I went home.