List of Stuff for Hospital

Let's start one, okay? Mentioned so far... -pillows (for ride home and possibly to make yourself more comfy while in the hospital) -blankies and such (maybe a favorite stuffed animal?) I highly suggest: -chapstick/lip balm (I am addicted to this stuff and was SO thankful I brought it with me when I had my gallbladder out. I put some in the gift basket I delivered to a friend of mine who was in the hospital for colon surgery and it was the first thing she grabbed for! Your lips really dry out!) -TV Guide (Hopefully we will all have private rooms and TVs (Hee!), and it really helps not to have to constantly channel surf.) -Gals only: Menstrual pads if you have a preference for a certain kind. (Obviously they will provide you with these in the hospital if you ned them, but I have a favorite brand, so I'll be taking some with me. Something I did not know when I had my gallbladder out is that the stress of surgery can often bring on your period early. I was scared and thought that I was bleeding internally or something because I am extremely regular in that department, but a nurse educated me on this point.) Other suggestions? Let's keep this one going, cause I'd like to print it out and put it near the suitcase I'm packing! Katarina

Hey Katartina, Here's my list (excluding the stuff you already mentioned): -A roomy bath robe -Slip on slippers (so you won't need to bend over) -Small fan (especially if you're hot natured) -Loose fitting clothes or dress to wear home (can be the same thing you wear to the hospital) -Hairbrush, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Deodorant, Lotion -Baby wipes -Antibacterial hand gel -CD player for relaxation and to block out noise (I'm going to have my son make me a CD of "white noise" so I can sleep when their not poking me) -Magazines or books Additions - subtractions anyone? Happy thoughts, Va 13 sunrise until my new life begins!!

OT... Hey, I just noticed your pic! GREAT 'mug', Va!! It's nice to have a visual of who I'm typin' at! Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to all Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-20 days and counting!

Me too - this will definitely help to have a thread like this. For me, I want to bring my laptop. I would be lost without a computer! Since I will be going out of the country, my list might be a bit longer than others, but here is what I'm thinking: 1) Backscratcher 2) Protein shakes, broth packets and other easy liquids 3) Housecoat 4) Tweezers (I have to tweeze whiskers and if I find a stray one in the hospital, I will drive everyone and myself nuts while I focus on pulling it out) 5) MY toiletries. Nothing worse than hospital supplied soaps and such. 6) Camera so I can humiliate myself by having really bad pictures taken than I can post online. And for me - a calculator style Spanish English translator. Need to know how to say "GIVE ME THE FREAKIN' DRUGS NOWWWWWWWW" in Spanish should the need arise.

Hmm...I WAS bi-lingual in high school...maybe I can help a bit...(I was actually quite adept at, ah, swearing...we'll leave that out...) "I want" is "quiero" (pronouced kee-AIR-oh) "Tell me" is "digame" (pronounced DEE-gah-may) "Where are" is "adonde estan" (pronunced ah-DOAN-day ess-TAHN) "now" is "ahora" (pronounced ah-OAR-ah) So your mantra will be: "Quiero THE STEEKIN' DRUGS! Digame adonde estan THE STEENKIN' DRUGS AHOOOOOOOOOOORA!!!!" That is your Spanish lesson for today. Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to all Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-20 days and counting!

I took a year and a half of Spanish, so my level of fluency would more fit under the term "Spanglish." I remember certain things....so I can determine what color your shoes are (zapatos negros), where the bathroom is (donde esta el bano?) and how to tell you my name (me llamo es Dina). Very pertinent things while you're in the hospital, eh? (Well, maybe the last 2 are). Then I took a course in law enforcement Spanish for Telecommunicators, so I know how to tell someone not to hang up (No cuelge! NO cuelge!) Hmmmm - maybe they should pay me for a second language, huh?

MOST excellent idea, Katarina! Since we're drawing nigh on March, I'd thought 'bout starting this earlier, but my train of thought derailed somewhere around my 2nd handful of meds this morning... **For AFTER surgery: a chair for use in the bathtub/shower...one of those resin/plastic patio jobbies works splendidly (this will come in QUITE handy when that fatigue hits you while you're in the hot, soothing shower...). For hospital: --footies or socks (if your feets gets cold like mines do) --Loofa or puff-sponge WITH/ON A LONG HANDLE for showering (you're not gonna feel like twisting around with dat soap...) --tongs (for wipin' yer BEEhind. Sounds disgusting, but HIGHLY recommended by post-ops. I found a LONG pair of plastic ones at Dollar Tree. I'm hoping I won't have to use 'em, but am bringing 'em just in case...) --phone card (if your hospital is out-of-area from those you'll need to call) Hmm...drawing a blank now... BTW -- cell phones and most wireless modems are forbidden in hospitals - the signals interfere with many of their electronic gizmos. If you plan on bringing a laptop, call the hospital (anonymously ) and find out if you can use a wireless modem there or if they have a docking station you can jam it into if you plan to go online... Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to all Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-20 days and counting!

Kimmer, I use a shower bench now for showering, and I'm not post-op yet. I have found that using one of the plastic/resin chairs doesn't quite fit. They're a little too wide for the tub. I would suggest a stool or a kitchen chair if yours can get wet. I would ABSOLUTELY suggest trying it out before surgery to make sure it'll fit. That way if it does't, you'll still have time to find something that will. Just my 2 cents! Another thing would be a list of phone numbers of everyone that you'll want to call. I've been in the hospital before and have totally forgotten my own phone number.

Your "two cents" is VERY GOOD advice, Naomi. I just assumed all those resin chairs fit since the one I bought did. Duh...THANK YOU for clarifiying that!!! ...AND the phone number list is most excellent. I have a small phone book I always keep in my purse, but a simple list will work much better. ALSO...some more things for after surgery: --working thermometer (I bought a new digital one for a whopping $5 - definitely need one post-op) --a pill crusher (I got a pharmaceutical one from eBay for a 'whisper', but you can get standard issue at any drugstore for under $5 - this will be worth its weight in gold if you have to smoosh meds after surgery...) AND...while AT the hospital...my nutritionist told me to keep the plastic pill cups. They're great for measuring your fluids you'll be sipping every 15 minutes immediately post-op (if youse guyses are required to do that...I am), and they don't care if you keep 'em. She suggested bringing a ZipLock bag to keep 'em in while you're collecting 'em. ...I know there's more, but my brain is in vapor-lock today... Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to all Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-20 days and counting!

Okay - SHOWER CHAIR: Call me crazy, but uh - doncha think a hospital would have a supply of those shower chairs? I mean - really. It's not exactly a luxury item. Cell phones: I found while in the maternity ward cell phones were okay for most areas. Most hospitals will post a sign where it is okay and where it isn't. I suspect they are relaxing standards more now because digital shouldn't interfere like analog used to. In our local hospitals I've found that there are always certain areas one can go to in order to use the cell phone. You may not want to, but friends or family can. As for wireless modems Heck - I cancelled my MMode with AT&T Wireless because the amount of computer use you get for the price is absolutely outrageous. I wouldn't be able to navigate these boards without incurring huge per kb charges. My normally $34.99 cell bill was $118 this month because of that. I dumped that but quick! But if you have dial up now, you can usually plug into the phone outlet in the room. I'm not sure what I will get in Mexico. Maybe/probably nothing in the hospital room, but I can catch up on other things and while away time like that. I will likely format emails and give the laptop to my friend to take back to the hotel to log on and send them off. I'll come back when my brain gets off break and fill in the gaps of what I'm forgetting here now. Dina