helpful hints

[beth]

Hi!
As my husband gets ready for surgery on Wednesday, I thought I would ask for some input from all of you. Was there anything that you brought to the hospital that was especially helpful? Anything you wish you had? A few thoughts we have is his own pillow, a camelback water bottle, Ipod............anything else? How about coming home? Anything that was helpful is passing the time and making you comfortable? Any suggestions on how we can keep from killing each other those first few weeks? Al is the first to admit that he is an awful patient - he is already apologizing to us!!!!!

 

[Ross]

Shoes that are easy to slide on and off, same with PJ's, button shirt, pants. There is a whole bunch of stuff. Writing pad and plenty of pens or pencils. Others will add.

As far as killing each other, he is going to have some really great days, usually followed by some really bad days. Your just going to have to go with the ebb and flow until things stabilize.

 

[Lynlw]

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13283&highlight=hospital+list

also if you do a search here for take to hospital list, several good threads come up. Lyn

 

[Lynlw]

I was thinking, I hate to mention the "S" word lol, but do you think it would be handy to make a list of recomendations for in the hospital and when you get home, and have a sticky in the presurgery forum? I know that is really something that people wonder about and would be nice to print up

 

[Bina]

Hi Beth,
Everyone takes different items of comfort....I prepared a week's worth and ended up staying in for 16 days.

My choices: clean socks for cold feet, hair comb, toothpaste/brush, chapstick, moisture cream, peppermint gum, pen and paper, deck of cards, and brand new fluffy slippers. I think that was it.

My most important thing to prepare was my bed at home. I set up a daybed in our main floor office, and put a little TV on the filing cabinet. I bought an extra foam pad for the bed and raised the head up about a foot. I also had a few smaller pillows ready to put under my knees, etc. because sleeping flat on the back is hard.

I wore some of my hubby's T-shirts which I cut at the side of the neck and pinned, so that I could have access to cleaning my incision.
I had a little brass bell beside my bed, which I could ring day or night if I ran into any problem. My voice was frail for a couple of weeks.

Have some frozen food in the freezer, if you are all tired, you just throw something in the microwave!

Have any necessary phone numbers posted on the fridge.

check your first aid kit: thermometer, sterile gauze pads, antibiotic cream, bandaids, etc. I bought a blood pressure machine ($80). I love having it!!

And I was a very fussy, freaked out patient....drove hubby NUTS.
We survived

 

[Adrienne]

Ear plugs are a good idea at the hospital. At home, something that helped me the first week home was putting a plastic lawn chair in the walk-in shower we have downstairs so I could sit while taking my shower.

 

[Phyllis]

Here's another good thread on preparing: http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5811&highlight=preparing+house

Dick too is an awful patient, but my fondest memory of that first few weeks is how thankful he was to have me there(in the hospital and at home) and the only complaints I got were in regard to my driving skills in the snow when he was a back seat driver out of necessity! You both will survive and I think you will find that your bond is even stronger.

 

[Ross]

I was thinking, I hate to mention the "S" word lol, but do you think it would be handy to make a list of recomendations for in the hospital and when you get home, and have a sticky in the presurgery forum? I know that is really something that people wonder about and would be nice to print up

Mention the "S" word as you like. It's not illegal. I think we should because yes, we are always being asked and isn't it fun trying to find a thread when you need it?

 

[EVELYN]

Definitely chapstick and socks. You can only wear those bedsocks so long. Another thought, rather than run out to shop after Tyce got home, I had already stocked up on juice, juice, juice.....lots of apple and grape....he really likes those. I also bought some ice cream and whatever else I could think of that he likes. The appetite definitely isn't what it was pre-op, so I tried anything I could to get him to eat...I seem to remember him being sooo thirsty, so the juice worked well. I knew I didn't want to be far from his side the first few weeks......just a thought.

Evelyn

Ev

 

[Superbob]

A pill organizer (one of those boxes divided by days and times of day) is very helpful when there are multiple meds. And even more helpful for me was my daughter staying at my home for a week to organize the organizer until my mind cleared a bit.

My son and daughter also picked out some DVDs of movies I hadn't seen. I felt more like watching than reading in the first few weeks, so they helped.

 

[Pegasus]

You sound very organized already. For yourself, maybe take some crossword puzzles to the hospital to pass time - I could never focus on a book while looking after my husband. I also did some aromatherapy in the hospital to get rid of the lovely hospital smells. My husband rolled his eyes but he appreciated it All the best for your husband's surgery.
astrid

 

[beth]

Thanks for all the wonderful and thoughtful replies to my post! The links were also very helpful. I knew I could not have been the first person to ever ask that question. Ken posted a similar question (planning ahead) that got some great responses for when you get home. I think the idea of having a "sticky" with answers to these questions would be helpful. One sticky divided up into 2 sections - one for the hospital and one for at home. I'm sure that this is something that everyone facing surgery thinks about to one degree or another. Ross, if this is something that I can help with, let me know. I'll have some free time on my hands for the next month!

 

[Lynlw]

You sound very organized already. For yourself, maybe take some crossword puzzles to the hospital to pass time - I could never focus on a book while looking after my husband. I also did some aromatherapy in the hospital to get rid of the lovely hospital smells. My husband rolled his eyes but he appreciated it All the best for your husband's surgery.
astrid

speaking of smells, I have been stocking up on the bath and body works antibacterial soaps, hand cream, ect that come in so much nicer flavors than the hospitals have and they even moisturize instead of dry out my hands, I like the relaxing scents like vanilla. I already have them packed in the hospital suit case and they are always on sale.

 

[Nancy]

This list is for YOU.

A nice little canvas or other carry bag with handles-something sturdy that can be laundered.
Crossword puzzle book or other thing that could help to pass the time
Cell phone or calling card so you can call whomever you need
Roll of quarters for vending machines
Pkg. of Altoids or other strong mints (mouth can get dry when you are nervous)
Small bottle of mouthwash
Imodium (I was glad I had that!)
Small pkg. of Tums
Aspirin, Advil or other headache remedy
Some hard candies
A neck roll pillow, like those used for traveling
A small throw, nerves can make you cold
A pad and pencil
A list of important phone numbers
Pkg. of hand wipes or baby wipes
Small bottle of Purell
Small pkg. of Kleenex
Travel size hand lotion
Lip balm

 

[Arlyss]

Nancy is so right about what YOU should have.

I will just add, do not take anything valuable with you unless absolutely necessary, and keep it on you at all times. It becomes a hastle to keep track of valuables, especially when under stress, and you do not want to lose anything important!

Best wishes,
Arlyss