St. Agnes, Baltimore

I am working on getting my insurance approved, and have tons of odd questions! :)

Anyone have surgery here?  I am wondering... if I bring my laptop, do they have wireless internet so I can read the boards here?  I am afraid I will be in withdrawl from enough stuff, I don't need OH going out of my life as well!  

What type of PJ's did you take if you took your own... (if not, how bad are their gowns?) debating if I will be up to getting into shorts/t's or if I should find a gown...  should I take an additional robe?

Anything else i should be prepared for?  I have never spent a night in the hospital before and am kinda nervous of being on my own there...

I am wondering the same things too. Sorry I can't answer your questions. I also am waiting to get approved by my insurance, having surgery at St Agnes with Averbach as well!
Good luck with approval and with surgery.

Jo

Hi Jo just wanted to say Good Luck with your approval and keep us posted on your journey

I did not have my surgery at St, Agnes, so I can't address those specific questions. There are a number of folks on this board who did and I am sure they will respond soon.

In general some things to consider:

1 - Everyone seems to react differently - all from no pain, to a little, to a lot. You may or may not feel like doing a lot of extra activities. I had no pain at all.

2 - I did not take my own PJs. With an IV, etc. it is just easier to use theirs. Someone suggested the other day that PJ bottoms are helpful for when you walk the halls (they will get you up walking). I do wish I had brought something like this since I am tall. You may also want a robe and slippers. If you do bring your own PJs, make sure they are loose fitting. You will feel bloated.

3 - As for other clothing, you may want your own underwear for the second day and comfortable clothes to travel home in. Lip balm has been mentioned  by many folks.

All in all, I found the time in the hospital went by fairly quickly. I hope it will be the same for you.

Best Wishes,

Debbie

Angie Welcome to the MD boards.

I did not have my surgery at St. Agnes so not sure about the wireless internet but as far as nightgowns. i did take a few of my own. Big robe ones. No shorts or pants. I was cut open and they would have rubbed right there where my dran was but I wore the hospital gown all week and the night before I went home I put my own PJ's on.

Have chapstick with you and maybe a book and ofcourse a pillow from home. It helps you sleep better. That had been the first time I ever stayed in a hospital and my family could not stay with me since I did not have a private room so I was a little homesick and the pillow helps you sleep better

Good Luck and keep us posted on your journey

No need to over pack anything.  Don't worry about your own pj's.  With the IV, it will be difficlut to put your own clothes on until it's time to go home.  I did bring my own wash cloth, soap, tooth brush, slippers, sweat pants and t-shirt for the ride home. They will give you another gown to put on like a robe to cover you while you are up walking.  Chap stick is a good thing also being your mouth will be very dry for the first 24 hours.  And don't be afraid to ask the nurse for the flavored swab sticks they have.  They were a lifesaver for the first 24 hours.  If you can't live without your pillow also, bring it.  I was a lot more comfy with my own pillow, plus it helps on the ride home.  I wouldn't worry about bringing a lap top either.  Some deal with pain better then others and are not comfy enough to be sitting up on the computer.  Though, I would have made myself comfy to do so...lol..  I don't know if they have wireless set up there.  Wouldn't hurt to call them and ask them.  You will probably be too busy walking laps on the wing anyway to release the gas they use. Anything else you want to ask, don't hesitate to message me.  I had Dr. Averbach and he was great.
Good luck!!!

I had my surgery at St. Agnes and I overpacked. Did not use half of the stuff I packed.

I would suggest:

chapstick
tootbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash (However, the hospital will provide this but I cannot live without my listerine or colgate, there is something about hospiatl toothpaste Lol>>>)
Pillow for the ride home (helps with the bumps)
Warm socks for your feet
1 set of clothes (preferably loose fitting sweats) I would wear the same thing home that I wear to the hospital
Change of undergarments
Robe ( for  your hallway stroll) 

BTW- Leave all jewelry at home....

You will be in the hospital without any family or friends to visit you? if so, one of us can visit and be your angel. We don't like it when our wls family has to go through this alone. let me know.

I will have my parents semi with me.... They are coming from out of town to be with me during the surgery and to drive my husband to work (he has vision problems, and does not drive) during the days I am in the hosptial (once I come home he will be taking time off until I am up to going back...)  My hope is for them to take him to work mid morning, and then come to the hospital until they go back and take him home.  (We live about 70 miles from Baltimore - and commute down daily.)

We shall see how it works, this is all best case senario!

I would love to have an angel just knowing someone local will be there if my parents need help with directions, or something would be awesome!  They are from West Virginia, and one of my biggest fears is them on the beltway *Grins*

 

Angie,

I did not have surgery at St Agnes so I cant answer about the internet. Although I know between walking and resting I didnt have a chance for anything else. My room did have internet access and free movies on demand but I never got a chance to take advantage of those because I was focusing on walking and resting.

I only took pajama bottoms to walk around the halls with after surgery.

I would def take chapstick and a pillow for the ride home for your tummy!