what to bring to the hospital

[mommyme]

I know this sounds stupid...but what did you bring with you to the hospital that you found helpful? I am going in on Tuesday.

 

[Karen54]

Hi Mommyme and welcome! No question is stupid on this forum - you can literally ask anything! I'm from the hippy side, but I think it depends a lot on the hospital. I had a brand new robe I never even took out at the hospital. The only things I used that I took were my toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and hairdryer. But I know some of the others have taken clothes to wear during the day, so you might check with the hospital before you check in. Good luck to you and post when you can to let us know how it's going!

Karen

 

[mommyme]

I am hoping to only be there 2 days. So..... maybe only a toothbrush

 

[Jamie]

The hospital will give you a small welcome kit that contains a toothbrush, paste, lotion, Kleenex, body wash and shampoo. If you have particular personal items you like, I'd take them. Take a brush amd comb, cuz even if they give you a comb it will be one of those silly little black ones that Kookie used on Surfside Six (now I'm DATING myself, huh!!!). I found it a HUGE help to take a sleep shirt that buttons up the front and some pajama shorts. I HATE those gowns that open in the back and make you the object of everyone's attention as you're walking. That for me worked better than a robe. They will also give you socks to wear with "grippers" on the bottom, so you don't need slippers. But most of all, bring your energy (rest well beforehand), your sense of assertiveness (if something is bothering you, PUSH THE CALL BUTTON AND TELL THE NURSE), and your sense of humor.

 

[ship4]

I slept in my own night gown. I also brought shoes with support that slipped on my feet (no ties). They were Merrell shoes which you will need for walking. I also brought 3 pairs of shorts (I knew I was going to rehab for 5-11 days after being in the hospital for 3 days). I brought a fleece jacket which I put on after PT because I was cold. I also brought tank tops to do the PT exercises to wear with my pull on elastic waist large shorts. I actually bought Men's Large and they fit great! I have since passed them on to my dh.
I did bring a couple of magazines... not a book because you are too doped up on your pain meds in the beginning.
I wish you lots of luck! It is definitely worth the plunge!
Best,
Crystal
BTKR 6/18/08
Currently have my life back and am enjoying downhill (alpine) snow skiing.

 

[Judles]

Welcome Mommy! Even toothbrushes are supplied!
-I suggest you bring toiletries such as hairbrush,deodorant,underwear & loose fitting clothes.
You will also probably want to bring your cell phone& phone charger.
You probably won't even want to be bothered with any reading matter,,,you'll want to sleep as much as you can!
-You'll amaze yourself how many times you can read the same paragraph!

 

[Jamie]

Hospitals must be different, Judles. Mine didn't want you to keep a cell phone for fear of it getting lost. They had phones for you.

 

[Judles]

They are definitely different,Jamie! -Now
That I think of it, it must have looked like I
Set up an office...LOL!!

 

[mommyme]

I am planning on bring my cell phone, thanks for reminding me. I may bring an old laptop as well. DH will bring my things that evening when the kids come to see me.

 

[Weezy]

The first time I had a bag all packed and had hubby bring it to me the evening after surgery--I had a book, my phone, toiletries, a nice robe I had just made, some loose knit shorts and big t-shirts and underwear and nice new slippers.

Ha!

The ONLY things I used out of the bag were my tooth and hair brushes, and the shorts, tshirts and underwear. Never even looked at the book (too dopey) and my phone was useless too because I was so dopey...although people spent months laughing and telling me how weird I sounded.

Second time...just an extra pair of my loose knit shorts, a couple of tshirts and some underwear, tooth and hairbrush. Easier. Never wanted anything else. did have my phone which was nice because I wasn't so dopey this time, but I still had no desire to read (and I'm a voracious reader under normal circumstances).

Best thing I did was the loose knit shorts and tshirts. I lived in those for about a month each time, even at home. Comfy, easy to wash (hubby couldn't ruin them no matter how hard he tried), easy off and on, and the shorts were nice because the first time my scar was extremely sensitive.

But the best advice so far was the one about taking your assertiveness! Don't be afraid to speak up if something doesn't feel right or seem right...and do NOT suffer pain in silence!!!!!

Weezy

 

[Josephine]

Gosh - toothbrushes and all supplied? We even have to take our own bath/face towels!

In fact, here's my list of what I am taking


dressing gown
nighties
knickers
slippers
shoes
socks
skirts
cotton tops
cardigans – thick and thin
sponge
soap
shower ball
shower gel
shampoo
bath towels
hand towels
shower cap
Foot Cocoon (hand/foot cream)
talcum powder
toothbrushes
toothpaste
flossers
tooth pick
spectacles x 2
ten/pencils
notebook/diary
moisties
tissues
hankies
Gaviscon tubes
nasal spray
5 nasal strips
Viscotears
Anthisan
hair brush
books
mobile phone + charger
batteries
headphones
MP3s
camera
dvd player + accessories
cuticle pliers (2)
emery board

 

[Judles]

Jo! All this just for the hospital? Yikes!
Please have someone help you carry all this into the hospital for you!
No hernias allowed!!!! BTW, how's your muscle ache now???

 

[Weezy]

That's some list, Jo! It sounds like you intend to keep busy. I'd forgotten that I had also taken my MP3 player with me the first time--I had a selection of both music and books on tape. Never even got it out of the bag!

Your hospitals don't even supply towels and washcloths? soap? Or are they just so awful you don't want to use them?

Both hospitals I was in had those wonderful little kits, and for bath time they had these neat packets that were warmed and had pre-soaped towelettes in them with really nice lotion/soap that was fine if you didn't get rinsed (these were for before you got to take a real shower).

Do your rooms have TVs in them? If so, do you get your own TV or do you have to share?

Weezy
shuddering at the thought of not having my own TV to zone out to.....

 

[Josephine]

90% of NHS hospitals now have personal tv/phone thingy on an overhead arm but they cost a fortune to use. One hospital's just had their prices put up to around £7 per day just for the tv! Phone is 10p a minute out for patients but for people ringing in it can be up to £1 a minute at peak time! I think it's a totally disgusting rip-off. I mean, what relative isn't going to stump up the money for their loved ones even if they can't really afford it!

Happily the place I am going to charges just £10 for 5 days tv. I'm not having the phone as we can now use our mobile phones in hospitals.

As for the soap kits, don't forget your insurances pay for all that. Ours is NHS! Since my room, board, surgery and care is totally free, I've not got a lot to complain about!

 

[Weezy]

As for the soap kits, don't forget your insurances pay for all that. Ours is NHS! Since my room, board, surgery and care is totally free, I've not got a lot to complain about!

so true! I keep forgetting that. Even with good insurance here, TKRs aren't free--although I'm SO grateful that our out-of-pocket cost has only been about $2500 for each knee. And I'm also grateful that we can pay that!

Weezy

 

[Judles]

Just take it EASY, JO!!!
We want you around for a LONG time!!!

 

[Jamie]

You should have access to your own television and a phone at no cost while in the hospital. That is a benefit of being in the US, I guess.

 

[Josephine]

It's a recent addition - too many people were bringing in their own portable tvs and it was getting to be a safety problem with all the wires trailing and all.

Then someone saw a niche market and .....

 

[Jamie]

Ahhhhh....free market capitalism at its best!

You know, Jo, it has been interesting learning about how your medical systems works. I'm coming to the conclusion that each system has its pros and cons and neither is probably any less expensive for the residents of the country than the other. That said, I guess a person prefers what they are comfortable with and I like our system just fine. 'Course we have excellent insurance and that would certainly make a difference I'm sure if we didn't. Anyway, I was quite surprised at what you have to provide for a hospital stay!!! That certainly would save a pile of money that could go for other things.

 

[Sticker Lady]

Great idea to keep it simple in the Hospital. When I was in 2 yrs ago for a histerectomy I had a canvas tote that I attached to the bed rails with a carbiner clip so that it was in easy reach--very useful. I brought my favorite moisturizer, a lot of lip balm, and lemon drops because the air seemed very dry. I do like a certain brand of toothbrush, so I brought my own and hair brush, too. I enjoyed looking at magazines but it was a few weeks before I could read a book (serious brain fog).

For this trip I'm thinking shortie pj's--nylon or satin so I'll be able to slide my ample behind on the bed.

Hope these thoughts help--Blessings,
Irene