surgery soon...what to take to hospital

[Mel5056]

hello all...my surgery is Friday the 13 (can you believe that LOL) and i am trying to gather a list of items to take to the hospital.  A friend of mine that i found through this forum is also having the same surgery, the same hospital, same doctor and same day....CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT???????  We started talking on this site and found we from the same state.  We became fast friends a few months ago and now we are scheduled for our surgeries together.  I attribute that to God being at the wheel to make sure we have each other to recover with.  Anyway....i am getting things together over the next few days and would love to hear from other people who have had surgery what they could not live without.  Obviously some things are a duh...but what things were you so thankful to have that i might not being thinking of?  Any input it greatly appreicated!  Thanks everyone!

[caregiver222]

Another handy item is a backpack with two zippers that can be locked together with a tiny lock. In general pilfering is a spur-of the moment thing. If you bring a laptop, for example, place it in the backpack, then lock the zippers and place it in the closet. It is unlikely some will take the entire back-pack. The "tiny" padlocks are very inexpensive. Make sure the compartment has two zippers that can be locked together.

[swatkind]

Comfy shorts/sweats (I had to wear the gown, so no top needed), simple toiletries (toothbrush/paste and/or mouthwash, deodorant, chapstick, nail clippers (I bite my nails if I get nervous and don't clip them)).  

Something for entertainment.  I was there 5 days, and by the 3rd day I felt decent enough to want something more than just TV to watch. I had my computer for talking to people and playing games. I couldn't imagine trying to read, so I wouldn't depend on books or magazines.

Best thing I did was not bringing certain items, but preparing friends for helping you. I had a hard time swallowing and chewing for the first few days, and so I had a friend who knew what soft foods I would enjoy the most and he brought those (the hospital soft food diet is gross).  He also had a list of numbers to my other friends so that he could contact them on my behalf.   Pre-determine visitation schedules so that you don't have a flood of people coming all at once and other times where no one stops in.  

[caregiver222]

Take some vitamin C (Don't tell them). I bring my own pajamas, but have someone visit to pick them up and do the laundry. Toothbursh and paste. They often neglect to provide this essential. Ten - twenty dollars or more in quarters for the soda and snack machines. MOST important! Cell phone and charger. Chlorox wipes for the buttons on the tv and the headrails. Your favorite soap. Pen and notebook. A small digital recorder is nice if you want to record what the doctors tell you. List of essential phone numbers and contacts. Pre-stamped envelopes if you are going to be in for a while. Don't forget to have the post office hold your mail. If you give the hospital cash to hold, remember than many hospitals will only give you a check when you leave - not the original cash.

[Mel5056]

My date was originally June 11 but changed to the 13th.  Ear plugs..that's a good one. I will be sure to grab those.  I will look at this list..thank you.  Heather can't access her computer as easy as i can so i was hoping to print it and text her the info too.  I will see if i can put my name on the prayer thread.  You better believe i want more prayers :-).  Thanks for being here to ask questions and bounce stuff off of.  I will post here after surgery is done and i am feeling up to it.

Blessings,

Mel

[selmaS]

  Hi...Congratulations on ur surgery !!...If u would like a Prayer Thread Posted please post on the surgery date thread if u haven't already....

Here is a link for Tips for the Hospital stay - http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological%20Disorders/Tips-for-the-Hospital-Stay/show/1136?cid=186

One thing I added to the list is ear plugs I wish I had them as the night staff acted like it was the middle of the day out in the hallway.....that is one thing I wish I had with me....

Do look at the list and read over others journal posts of their surgical experience for other insights.

BTW- I have 2 listed for the same date from this forum.....

So happy u found a member and friend to share this experience with <3