What to take to Hospital?

[llewis34]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to things that you should remember to take for your hospital stay? Anything that most folks don't think of? I'm trying to get my list of things together. Haven't gotten the packet from the surgeon, yet, but I'm a planner and can't waste any time.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Lynlw]

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

 

[llewis34]

Thank You!

 

[Philip B]

Hospital Stuff

Hospital Stuff

I walked into the hospital with the clothing I was wearing and some paperwork (living will, medical power of attorney, etc...). I had a small pack with some stuff in it which I left in the car. The pack had some personal hygene items in it like my own toothbrush, comb and hairbrush and an old iPod loaded with tunes.

The hospital supplied me with pretty much everything I needed while I was there. I left in the same clothes I had arrived in.

I think it's prettry standard practice for hospitals to caution patients about bringing money, jewelry, credit cards, etc. I left all that kind of stuff at home.

They take pretty good care of you while you're there; you won't need much.

-Philip

 

[cherbam]

I brought my own warm PJ's that had buttons in the front. I would also suggest a small donut shaped pillow for your tailbone. Mine was really sore after being on it for nine days. I also had my long hair cut to below my shoulders. It was much easier to brush and put up.

 

[sue943]

How different to the UK where you would need far more of your own belongings. Apart from anything else we stay in hospital much longer and except for a couple of days we wear our own clothes, both day and night clothes in some hospitals.

 

[hensylee]

Sue, they provide gowns, paper slippers (UGH), a personal pack for hygiene, . I don't think I took anything, either. Except what I was wearing - and wore it home.

We started that thread on what to take to the hospital a long time ago and I am glad to know it has come in handy a few times. Thanks, Lyn.

 

[Adrienne]

Up here they give us gowns and these sort of slipper-type things, but other than that, we're on our own. I had my own toothpaste, etc.

 

[sue943]

You mean you don't have to take ten nightgowns, ten pairs of knickers, a robe, slippers, personals wash stuff, not to mention about five skirts and tops!

 

[Adrienne]

I took a robe for when I finally got up and started walking in the hallway. I remember you, Sue, said you walked outside when you were in the hospital. Here it was the end of October in Montreal. Besides, it took me a couple of days at home before I had enough energy to walk outside. I can't believe you even mention skirts!!! I went into the hospital with an old ugly pair of jogging pants and an old ugly T-shirt and left the hospital with that (plus a jacket that my husband kept in the car). I think I wore the same thing at home for the first few days! The hospital gave us towels and wash cloths every day to clean up with.

 

[Jkm7]

My OHS was emergency and I arrived in an ambulance with almost no personal possessions. I didn't ask my DH to bring me anything from home. I managed with what the hospital provided. (toothbrush/paste, soap, and hospital gowns.) He went to the gift shop one morning and bought me a hairbrush and pair of slippers. I had a pen in my purse and my reading glasses. He took most of my money etc home. Just left me a little to pay for the TV rental. There wasn't anything I needed or wanted...... except him.

 

[WayneGM]

Warm socks!!!! I found my feet were freezing, even in bed!

Also mints or other candies to suck on. Went great with the ice chips, My favourite were the orange flavoured Tick-Tacs.

 

[Brad]

I took my portable DVD player in.

Had lots of Red Dwarf to watch.

 

[Adrienne]

Oh, I forgot, I also brought panties and a pair of old shorts with an elastic waist (so as not to flash anyone when I put my legs up)! Also, ear plugs!

 

[Brad]

Out of interest, are pay-per-view TV sets hanging from each bed commonplace in the US? They cost a fortune to operate here and have been on the news this week about the charges.

 

[llewis34]

Lots of great suggestions here! Especially the earplugs!

 

[hensylee]

Out of interest, are pay-per-view TV sets hanging from each bed commonplace in the US? They cost a fortune to operate here and have been on the news this week about the charges.

we have tv sets in all rooms (they used to charge for them but if they do now, it's in a bill we don't see) and what we see on the TV is only what the hospital subscribes to. No movies or pay per view to buy that I know of. Usually there are two patients in every room and they share the TV.

 

[Philip B]

Gripper Socks

Gripper Socks

My hospital even provided socks with little gripper pads on the bottoms. My wife liked them so much I think a couple of pairs made the trip home with us.

-Philip

 

[Susan BAV]

What worked for me...

What worked for me...

My "Mr. W" slayed my dragons right and left and fetched the things for me that weren't necessary to bother the nurses with. I highly recommend taking a loving and patient and competent companion.

I took flip-flops and set them next to the hospital bed and that made it easy to not touch that icky floor. I wish I had cut my hair because a tremendous amount of my hair fell out during the weeks afterward anyway and the long hair was a nuisance the first few weeks. I had it all pulled up in an explosion on top with a scrunchee.

I didn't read anything I had brought, and couldn't concentrate on the DVDs that my husband played on his laptop for me, and I wasn't hungry for anything, and I just wore a backwards hospital nightgown as a robe and as a warmer layer. I walked and walked and walked, as soon as they let me get up. Television upset and worried me; I needed to watch really happy and gentle movies and such for several weeks afterward. Mint gum for better breath and individually wrapped wet wipes are helpful. If you wear contacts, take your glasses because you likely won't be wanting to fiddle around with contacts; I didn't even look into a mirror for a few or several days. You'll probably be advised to use a pillow in front of your chest for the trip home from the hospital also.

I'm a planner too. I made lists and the typical "lists of lists." Take care and post again.

 

[Jkm7]

we have tv sets in all rooms (they used to charge for them but if they do now, it's in a bill we don't see) and what we see on the TV is only what the hospital subscribes to. No movies or pay per view to buy that I know of. Usually there are two patients in every room and they share the TV.

For all the days I was in CICU both prior to and after my surgery, there was no charge for the tv.

When I was moved to the stop down unit, there was a small daily charge for the tv. Each bed had an individual small tv on a flexible 'arm' which could be moved easily by the patient to the angle most comfortable for their private viewing.