I need supplies!!!
I'm not sure what your surgeon's protocol is concerning what stage you will be on when you come home. Find that out first.
For the hospital, take half of what you think you will need. Lip balm is a MUST, along with slippers that you can slide your feet into for your walks around the corridors. You can wear the same clothes home that you wear into the hospital----something loose like sweat pants or lounge pants and a t-shirt. Reading material is optional. I read ALL the time, but found that I did not have the attention span for reading in the hospital.
You might want to get some broths. I found that adding a bit of garlic powder to them made them "oh-so-yummy" and still have hot broth for a snack. Someone also said that mixing chicken and beef broth makes an interesting change. Warm tea with Splenda is great too.
Greek yogurt is good once on pureed. I actually have a huge list of pureed and soft foods that I put together. I will be glad to post if again if needed.
I pureed parts of my meals that I made for my family before surgery and froze them in ice cube trays separately. That way, after surgery, I could pop one out (about an ounce each) and have dinner in a snap! I had brats, green beans and mashed potatoes all ready to go! Chicken, brocoli and mashed potatoes......etc.
Good luck and congrats on the date!!!!!
For the hospital, take half of what you think you will need. Lip balm is a MUST, along with slippers that you can slide your feet into for your walks around the corridors. You can wear the same clothes home that you wear into the hospital----something loose like sweat pants or lounge pants and a t-shirt. Reading material is optional. I read ALL the time, but found that I did not have the attention span for reading in the hospital.
You might want to get some broths. I found that adding a bit of garlic powder to them made them "oh-so-yummy" and still have hot broth for a snack. Someone also said that mixing chicken and beef broth makes an interesting change. Warm tea with Splenda is great too.
Greek yogurt is good once on pureed. I actually have a huge list of pureed and soft foods that I put together. I will be glad to post if again if needed.
I pureed parts of my meals that I made for my family before surgery and froze them in ice cube trays separately. That way, after surgery, I could pop one out (about an ounce each) and have dinner in a snap! I had brats, green beans and mashed potatoes all ready to go! Chicken, brocoli and mashed potatoes......etc.
Good luck and congrats on the date!!!!!
Tell someone that you love them!
Dawn
253/223/167/127
HW/SW/CW/GW
I'm a little over 2 weeks out and brought way to much stuff. The hospital provided everything I needed other than you might want to bring your own toothbrush, theirs' was pretty flimsy. I didn't feel like any reading and never even wanted to take a shower, just washed up with a wash cloth. They even provided the lip balm but I'd bring that just in case. Also bring extra underwear as they took out my catherter the morning after surgery. Just wear loose sweats there and wear them home. My room was warm but the nurse brought me a fan when I asked.
As far as when you get home, I started purees right away but stuck to cottage cheese alot as that went down well. Also, I liked chicken noodle soup with the broth strained so much better than broth. Sugar free popsicle are a must. Also the warm tea really went down well.
Best of luck. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Lynn
As far as when you get home, I started purees right away but stuck to cottage cheese alot as that went down well. Also, I liked chicken noodle soup with the broth strained so much better than broth. Sugar free popsicle are a must. Also the warm tea really went down well.
Best of luck. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Lynn
My surgeon was pretty strict so I was on sugar free jello, popcicles, applesauce and broth for several weeks before I started purees. I ordered samples of protein powders which I really liked that idea as your taste can change dramatically after surgery. You may want milk to mix the powder with or use water. I had both shelf stable milk as well as refrigerated milk. Some people become lactose intolerant so you may want soy milk. WalMart sells some that has a long shelf life. It is found in their coolers. I pureed cottage cheese, had yogurt without fruit and made soft eggs when I got to the puree stage. I also used spices to jazz things up.
For the hospital I highly recommend ear plugs if you plan to sleep. Hospitals are very noisy places. I also took my own pillow. Your stomach will thank you on the way home. Underwear, a sports bra -- no wires or hooks is a must, as well as slip on slippers or shoes. I took my crocks as they can be used in the shower if you take one. My surgeon allowed sugar free gum which really helped with the dry mouth after surgery when you were not allowed to eat or drink. Take a cpap machine if you are on one. I also took a pad of paper and pencil to write down any home instructions. Other than that, personal toiletries, lite activities for boredom -- crossword puzzle book or something else to read, my calling card and phone numbers and I was set. Good luck!
For the hospital I highly recommend ear plugs if you plan to sleep. Hospitals are very noisy places. I also took my own pillow. Your stomach will thank you on the way home. Underwear, a sports bra -- no wires or hooks is a must, as well as slip on slippers or shoes. I took my crocks as they can be used in the shower if you take one. My surgeon allowed sugar free gum which really helped with the dry mouth after surgery when you were not allowed to eat or drink. Take a cpap machine if you are on one. I also took a pad of paper and pencil to write down any home instructions. Other than that, personal toiletries, lite activities for boredom -- crossword puzzle book or something else to read, my calling card and phone numbers and I was set. Good luck!
Cat Lady
I also took too much to the hospital!
Things I wanted but didn't have: my own pillow!
Things I had but didn't really need: a small computer (I was going to play FarmVille!), my own night gowns (they have the big ones that cover you and work well with the IV and cardiac monitor the first day or 2), a book (I was just too tired), my knitting (again, too tired - I needed to doze and rest and heal!), and too many pairs of underwear and socks ( I always go overboard with socks!!).
I also planned to wear the same comfortable clothes home that I wore pre-surgery, but in the end I was too tender for loose pants so I wore a MuuMuu/robe with my coat over it. Add my blue crocs and it was a great combo!! And the crocs were great in the hospital I could even wear them in the shower!
I will tell you the hospital stay was great (Alexian Brothers Medical Center) but a little bit of a blur and the first week home was difficult (after all it is surgery), but every week since then has been better and better. I am really happy I went through with this - now I really have so much more hope for the future!! Best wishes!
Things I wanted but didn't have: my own pillow!
Things I had but didn't really need: a small computer (I was going to play FarmVille!), my own night gowns (they have the big ones that cover you and work well with the IV and cardiac monitor the first day or 2), a book (I was just too tired), my knitting (again, too tired - I needed to doze and rest and heal!), and too many pairs of underwear and socks ( I always go overboard with socks!!).
I also planned to wear the same comfortable clothes home that I wore pre-surgery, but in the end I was too tender for loose pants so I wore a MuuMuu/robe with my coat over it. Add my blue crocs and it was a great combo!! And the crocs were great in the hospital I could even wear them in the shower!
I will tell you the hospital stay was great (Alexian Brothers Medical Center) but a little bit of a blur and the first week home was difficult (after all it is surgery), but every week since then has been better and better. I am really happy I went through with this - now I really have so much more hope for the future!! Best wishes!
Thank you so much, I had intended to take my laptop and webcam to keep up with my journal on youtube. Maybe I will wait and see how I do first because my husband will be there so he can always get it for me and the hospital is ten minutes from my house.Thanks so much!!! make room on the losers bench.
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