Any tips for a hospital stay?

Savvy_Sue

suki1964 wrote:

Cheap personal stereo or radio - hospital radio is a hit and miss affair

:eek: You mean I might not be able to get Radio 4? :eek: Sorry, I know you posted that ages ago but it's only just dawned on me what it means!

the shopping continues: I found pink slipper socks in Just Beauty yesterday, £1 for 2 pairs! And some pink and purple water shoes in the same shop as I got my pink slippers from - I know it will be more difficult to wash my feet in them than it would be in flip flops, but I really don't get on well with flip flops so I think my feet will just have to smell ... or I'll use baby wipes on them.

suki1964

Savvy_Sue wrote:

:eek: You mean I might not be able to get Radio 4? :eek: Sorry, I know you posted that ages ago but it's only just dawned on me what it means!

the shopping continues: I found pink slipper socks in Just Beauty yesterday, £1 for 2 pairs! And some pink and purple water shoes in the same shop as I got my pink slippers from - I know it will be more difficult to wash my feet in them than it would be in flip flops, but I really don't get on well with flip flops so I think my feet will just have to smell ... or I'll use baby wipes on them.

Not only may you not get Radio 4, you may not even get a pair of working headphones:(

Water shoes sound safer for the shower then flip flops, I always find I slip out of flip flops sideways when they are wet

MimiJane

Having spent quite a bit of time in hospital over the last few years, I've always found I've taken far too much with me and they provide the vast majority of things you'll need. Having said that though, each hospital is different and there's nothing like pampering yourself with a little of your own stuff when you're recovering:)

Perhaps obvious, but best not to take anything valuable or of sentimental value with you ... I know you can hand stuff in to the staff, but things can easily go "astray" (best to be safe:rolleyes:). Also, in the past, I've been moved to different beds/wards after operations and been fretting about my bags, which have been left in the ward I started off in. No-one seems to bother and it can be very frustrating, especially if you're having difficulty speaking after anesthetic and the staff can't understand you:( Always best to have a friend/relative on hand to assist after the op. if possible.

Very best of luck and let us know how you get on.

x

Savvy_Sue

MimiJane wrote:

Having spent quite a bit of time in hospital over the last few years, I've always found I've taken far too much with me and they provide the vast majority of things you'll need. Having said that though, each hospital is different and there's nothing like pampering yourself with a little of your own stuff when you're recovering:)

Perhaps obvious, but best not to take anything valuable or of sentimental value with you ... I know you can hand stuff in to the staff, but things can easily go "astray" (best to be safe:rolleyes:). Also, in the past, I've been moved to different beds/wards after operations and been fretting about my bags, which have been left in the ward I started off in. No-one seems to bother and it can be very frustrating, especially if you're having difficulty speaking after anesthetic and the staff can't understand you:( Always best to have a friend/relative on hand to assist after the op. if possible.

Thank you MimiJane, no problem with you stating the obvious!

I have a cunning plan: it is to pack what I need for the first day, and then to pack a week's worth of further bags with clean undies, towels, pjs etc. Then all my DH has to do is remember to bring in a new bag each day. I can go through it and send home what I now find I don't need with instructions for what to do with what I'm sending home. (That's where the duplicate book comes in useful. ) We agree he will find this easier and less stressful than me asking him 16 times to bring a clean bra, and then berating him for failing to bring socks for which I didn't ask. Also I won't be able to complain it's the 'wrong' bra if I packed it myself.

I am fortunate in being able to plan ahead for this, of course, but just as when I was expecting my babies I don't know quite how long I've got! And of course I am very fortunate to have a DH who will ferry me to the hospital and stay and hold my hand as long as he's allowed. Whether my sons will come and visit is another matter: youngest is claiming to be squeamish ...

And suki and the water shoes: I think I'd fall out of flip flops too, had been looking for something designed for the wet but had only seen them in boring colours (not pink!) and expensive, so the proper water shoes were irresistable! Only problem is that of course they will stay wet for longer after the shower, must try them in the morning ... And I will HAVE to have my own radio: can always send it home if the hospital one works, but to be without it - oh it doesn't bear thinking about!

Luis

Being a frequent flyer in hospitals (wish we got reward points) here are my tips, for what they may be worth to you:

A nightie - not pjs - especially if what you are going in for is Gynae related - much less embarrassing to pull the nightie up (or have a catheter in) than with pjs - trust me!

Magazines - lots of them. If you have had a general anaesthetic, it stays in your system for 6 weeks, leading to lots of lovely dozing off. Not so great if you are involved in a deep plot - not a problem if you are browsing through articles.

A dressing gown. Essential for when they put you in those glamorous backless hospital nighties for the op.

Squash - to put in the water.

Lots of change for the hideously expensive payphones - remember you can't use your moby in hosptal.

A decent sized wash bag with toiletries and flannel or sponge. Hospitals don't supply these.

Any essential little feminine supplies you may need such as pads, liners etc.

Slippers.

That's about it really - plenty of changes of undies / nighties as hospitals are hot which make you unpleasantly clammy, so nice to have a wash and change.

Good luck,

Luis.

Savvy_Sue

Luis wrote:

Being a frequent flyer in hospitals (wish we got reward points)

:rotfl:

Thank you. Excellent tip about nighties for anything gynae, but this time it's my head which needs attention so I am hoping to avoid catheters etc ...

I collated everyone's suggestions the other day and was able to tick off all the essentials so I feel reasonable prepared. Thank you everyone. I know when I have a date they will buy me a book of puzzles from work because we sit and do an easy crossword most lunchtimes - it is no longer 'lunchtime' but 'puzzletime'. Mind you how I will cope with the more obscure clues without Google I do not know: did anyone else know there was a southern constellation called Sculptor?

Quackers

Nothing to add to everyones fab suggestions but just wanted to wish you well.

oh, what about a laptop so you can let us all know how your doing

Savvy_Sue

Quackers wrote:

oh, what about a laptop so you can let us all know how your doing

Thank you for your good wishes, I don't think my dh will trust me with his laptop, which is a shame as it also plays DVDs ... but he might have to register and post a few updates!

oubykh

with regard to the radio/headphones comments - use your own dont use the hospital ones unless you see the're new.

As a nurse, i must admit that changing the headphones in the brief moments that a bed is emptied and being readied for the next patient i might forget to check the 'phones!!

Bun

Hope the op goes well and you have a pleasant stay (you know what I mean!)Can't really add much to what everybody else has written except I would definitely use the earplugs and the eye mask. Not only can the lights at night be a pain, but if you are in a hospital with those little portable tv screens they are on all night too and drive you crazy with bright flashing ads. I covered mine with a towel but the others on the ward were another matter entirely!
Best of luck!