My hospital stay....

ok, I will share my hospital packing and home so far info in hopes it helps someone.... My stay was Tue-Fri, standard stay for my surgeon.... I was up 30-45 minutes after getting to my room to make my first walk to the door. If ya think they will coddle you, think again. Be tough and strong. Ask for pain meds 30 minutes before your first walking ventures, don't be shy! LISTEN to the instructions on how to get up. THey know what they are talking about as far as the best way to move to not hurt yourself. I packed: of course, the clothes I wore became a part of my packing after I got there. If you have someone to take them home, is fine too. 4 pairs of panties chapstick deodorant sample pack of shampoo and conditioner pair of socks slippers nightgown and housecoat (remember I said this in a sec!) pads toothbrush and toothpaste cell phone and charger What I wi****ook: My PILLOW!!!! What I really used: slippers chapstick sample pack of shampoo toothbrush and toothpaste cell phone, not charger though ( I turned it off and made the only calls I wanted to make limited) You will be given no slip grip footies when you get there. I personally don't like them cause they seem so snug, so I like my slippers. If you are ok with using a cheap toothbrush and toothpaste, don't bother taking yours, they give it to you. Surprisingly, didn't need deodarant, you get a bed bath and then regular showers. I knew I was going to probably have open and not lap, so I was concerned with wearing something comfy home. That is where the nightgown and housecoat came in. That was intended and was my outfit home. I went and bought it just for this. We all know how girls are with a pretty new gown!! While I was there, I wore a hospital gown. Got a clean one each day and wore one on the back to cover the airhole!! lol I loved putting on my gown and housecoat and coming home in that unrestricted. Nice thing if you take your own pillow, on the way home it will double as a grip to the tummy to hold you when the driver seems to aim for every pothole or the infamous cough or sneeze comes up. I seatbelted in with the hospital pillow. Yes, I stole it! Flat hard thing had to do something beneficial, cause it sure didn't aid in comfort for sleep! Now that I am home: Best things I have learned to do: My mom was helping to fix up my meals. I am on 4 ounce increments of meals and snacks at the pureed full liquids. She found these 4 ounce Glad containers and they ahve been a LIFESAVER! I just go to the fridge and there is all my 4 ounch choices. Right now I have sugar free pudding with protein, chicken broth with little shreds of chicken, multiple soups, grits, pintos and cheese, and some other stuff. But is so nice to just get up and go get a little container out and chow...... I took advice and got a baby spoon....this has really helped! Ok, I am done for now. Hope this helps someone out there!! Hugs Tab

I'll share my experience too.... I packed the following: Clothes I wore to the hospital, Pagama pants and top (very soft and also bought for the occasion, socks, underware, bra, makeup, book, journal, cell phone, flushable wipes, facial towellettes, pantyliners, tampons, air freshener, travel clock, flip-flops. oh yes...and my pillow. Okay, here's what I used... My pillow, Pagama pants (could not get the top on with my IV), socks, underware, makeup, cell phone, facial towellettes, travel clock, and flip-flops. I stayed Monday through Thursday and was not up until late the first day. I pretty much had to do that myself because the nurse never came when she said she would. That's okay though, because the man in the next room died and all the nurses were VERY busy with his family. I never got the gripper flip-flops and since I had rentention sutures (like plastic drawer handles) I did not get showers until a week after my surgery. I did not get to do underware until the Catheter came out on Wednesday morning. that's when I broke out the pagama pants. I never got instructions on how to get out of bed, but they said I did great in comparison to other patients. I did not really walk in the hall until the night before I left, but did sit in the chairs in the room a lot. Mainly, I didn't want to drag all my hardware around with me so I didn't leave the room. I hope this helps someone and remember you can always get someone to bring you something if you really need it so pack light!

Hi Thanks guys that really helps me out... Thanks for the advice...I hope all is well Lisa