Any tips for a hospital stay?

Savvy_Sue

I'm very grateful to all those who suggested bedsocks, and so is my DH. I know it's supposed to be May, and I know it's a side effect of the medication I'm taking for my blood pressure, but my feet have been so cold for the last few nights that the bedsocks have come out of the 'ready for hospital if it ever happens bag' and onto my feet.

Actually 'cold' is not the right word: they have been like blocks of unmeltable ice, my usual trick of tucking them up close to DH has been a complete failure and the night before I got the bedsocks out I couldn't get off to sleep because they were so cold. I would never have thought of them, and they are definitely coming into hospital with me, whatever else gets left behind!

ET03

Savvy_Sue wrote:

Oh good, I am glad it has been helpful for someone other than me! Hope his op goes well and that your hospital stay is as comfy as possible. I'm still waiting for a date ...

All the best!

thanks for youre good wishes
although my son is normally placid and cheerful he does get very stressed in hospital and also is very wary of strangers even nurses so as the hosp is so far from home it makes sense to saty with him

Savvy_Sue

ET03 wrote:

although my son is normally placid and cheerful he does get very stressed in hospital and also is very wary of strangers even nurses so as the hosp is so far from home it makes sense to saty with him

Who can blame him? I am usually placid and cheerful as well, but right now you can almost see my blood pressure rise when you mention 'hospitals' to me ... :rotfl:

trace-j

I'm hoping I could tag on to this thread for a question I have about my dad who is recovering in hospital from major op on his neck to remove lymp glands and thyroid because of cancer.He's a bit down after 4 days post op- he's being fed through a tube in his nose and breathing through a Tracheostomy. Both are temporary, but it's looking he'll have them for the rest of the month. His movement is also limited because of low blood pressure and frozen shoulders.To cheer him up I was going to take advantage of the fact the hospital delivers patients mail to their beds. I has hoping to write on a regular basis but wanted to send various things to chivvy him on, anything that makes him laugh is good not only for the obvious but also helps him clear his lungs. Any suggestions (obviously no food)?

Savvy_Sue

Read your contribution on the 'Get Fit for hospital stay' thread as well, was going to post that a friend had similar surgery for similar reason a year or so back - very scary as he was quite young! He made a good recovery, the scar was awesome! Hugs to you, and your dad.

Has he got a CD player with him? If he has, can you pick up some funny CDs that he might enjoy and send them on? Maybe on Freecycle or Amazon Marketplace, maybe things like Hancocks Half Hour, Flanders and Swann, thinking of things I enjoyed listening to with my parents (because I don't know how old your Dad might be).

Books of cartoons might be good too, because if his concentration isn't up to following a whole book he might manage a cartoon. There are various sites where you can download cartoons as well, maybe you could print one off and send one every time you write? My Dad's into Fred Bassett and I know you can get books of those.

I don't know if you're into Pigsback: there's a thread about it on the Freebies board. Without spending any money I've quite quickly got enough points to order three stress piggies for my sons. There are all sorts of silly things there which would make me laugh! Only thing is it can take a week or so for things you've ordered to arrive.

Will add anything else I think of ...

trace-j

Thanks Sue, hope you're better now. I sent him a letter full of random stuff of whats been happening e.g. house, job etc (is boring to me but is what he would ask about). Also sent him some packs of Oral B rip strips since he can't brush his teeth properly (funny how something I've considered pointless for ages now has its value). He's already got an mp3 player and were smuggling in a mini TV tonight so he hasn't got to pay for the ripoff hospital one!His concentration isn't up to much yet, but I'll scout around for some cartoons and topical sketches and start a scrapbook. Thanks for the suggestions.

Savvy_Sue

Ah yes, I had a whole bag full of things to make me feel good, in small sizes, it may not be particularly 'manly' but the air can be so dry in hospital that maybe he'd like a little tin of Vaseline (99p from chemists!) - just make sure you wrap it well! - or a small thing of handcream, you can get quite 'blokey' ones now I think, or even some 'proper' men's facial moisturiser. I know my father and DH would be pretty horrified by the idea of 'makeup for men', but it might also make your dad laugh at the idea of 'grooming', but if you explain that you thought his face might feel dry and itchy? Also, don't know if he usually shaves, and if he does when he'll be able to start again, but maybe pre-shaving cream or something like that to help get the stubble off, I don't really know what I'm talking about in that dept because DH is bearded!

As well as the teeth cleaning strips (I had some of them as well!) maybe flossing sticks, even if he doesn't usually use them? I don't get on at all well with floss as floss, but you can get floss on a disposable P-shaped plastic stick, with a pointy end, so it doubles as a toothpick.

I think what I used most was my lipsalve! That and the Vaseline ...

If you're going to visit, can you take him some little gifts that he can keep to open later? Maybe one a day until your next planned visit. And if he is having other visitors, would they be from people who could maybe massage some oil or cream into his poor shoulders? Don't know if he'll want to be touched or be able to move for that ... And will he maybe be able to chew some chewing gum soon? Can't imagine what it would be like not being able to eat - although after my op I didn't really feel like eating so most of my food treats came home again!

Of course I did a lot of pre-op shopping, over a long period, so didn't pass a charity shop without going in and seeing if there was something 'nice' or 'useful' in there. Or a branch of Boots - got lots of bargains with my Boots points! :rotfl:

(I am pretty much fine now, btw)

And I've just remembered, among the less useful gifts from my colleagues was one of those pompoms that cheerleaders use, their theory was that I could wave it at the nurses when I wanted anything! It made me laugh if nothing else!

Oh, and I did use a portable Ioniser quite a lot last summer: got one cheapy cheap from Boots and I did think it made me feel better. Might be worth looking out for one of those: it hung round my neck like a pendant. I'm wearing it in these photos, where you can also see the pom-pom ...

Have rabbited on enough, hope your dad is feeling better by the day.

L_D_N

My dad has been in and out of hospital for various ops and we have now got a standard essentials pack. Soz if someone else has already mentioned these:
antiseptic wipes, antiseptic no water hand gel, magicool spray (for when you can't cool down and they have run out of fans) - this was a godsend for Dad, your own favourite juice, might want to consider bottled water as the jugs are usually just rinsed under cold tap each day, small amount of loose change for papers etc. When you go in buy your phone / TV card if the hospital runs that service.

Don't be afraid of asking any of the staff to wash their hands - you'd be amazed how many don't - you notice this as a visitor more than as a patient.

Best of luck, hope it all goes well for you.

Lorraine

Savvy_Sue

L_D_N wrote:

magicool spray (for when you can't cool down and they have run out of fans) - this was a godsend for Dad,

Those were all good suggestions, but before taking a magicool spray in, check that aerosols are allowed - I know my hospital list said no aerosols. I guess it's partly the fire hazard when they're thrown away, and partly the risk of triggering an asthma attack if anyone's susceptible.

If Magicool is off the menu, another good way of cooling down is an ordinary plant spray bottle with tap water in! I bought one of those with a little battery operated fan on top for 99p last year, you could fan and spray at the same time! Very good until the blades fell off the fan ...