What should I take, and what should I stock up on now?

Hello everyone!! I just adore you all sooooooooooooooooo much!!! This is the greatest message board in the whole wide world!! All of you are so supportive and friendly...it's blows my mind! Anyway....enough of the sappy stuff! I am having sugery in about a week and a half and I'm trying to compile two different lists. 1.) a list of things to take with me to the hospital. I live in the Portland area and am having surgery in Eugene. 2.) a list of things to have on hand and stock piled once I return home. I figured you were the best people to ask and I look forward to reading you suggestions!! Thank you all so much and have a splendid weekend!! -Mary

Hi Mary, I've kind of been offline for a bit, sorry I haven't said Hi lately. I bet you're getting excited. I'm excited for you! Here's the things I'd take: Robe Slippers toiletries(toothpaste, toothbrush, pads or tampons just in case, stuff like that) phone card or cell phone (hospital calls are outrageous) couple of magazines or book chapstick Here's what I wouldn't take: underwear haha (you won't need a pair for everyday...just the day you go home!) change of clothes (just something to come home in, like sweats) I took a different gown for every day and a robe. In reality, all you will wear is the hospital gown because it's easy. I had a robe too, and wore it maybe a quarter of the time (it got too warm.) You'll mostly be sleeping anyhow. Don't bother with makeup, I never cracked mine open...haha! Oh, jewelry, if I did it again I wouldn't bring mine, I had to store it in the hospital during surgery and it probably wasn't the best place to keep valuables, know what I mean. Food for home: The first 3 weeks you'll be on liquids. The Doc recommends Carnation instant breakfast and that's what I got. I got a box that had like 4 different kinds: chocolate, malt, vanilla, and strawberry. Also, the Doc will give you your first can of protein powder. I needed two, so you might want to research what other kind you'd like. I wish I could have bought another of the Pro-Mod from him, because it tasted okay in the Carnation Instant Breakfast (the other stuff I got was yuck!) I would recommend you get a cannister or bottle with lid to store it in, because you'll only drink 1 oz at a time and it makes 8 oz. The next 3 weeks (which I'm almost through with!!) you'll be on soft foods: tuna blended (I make tuna salad lol), cottage cheese, egg beaters, anything protein that is blended. I don't mind it at all. Occasionally I have a sugarfree jello for a treat or a fat free pudding, but it's not really on the "plan" so I don't know if it's really ok. But sometimes I just need something that is a treat, ya know. Also, right after you get home you'll want to have rubbing alcohol, large wound bandaids and surgical type tape. This will be for taping up your ncjj tube and keeping it in place. Also, I put a regular sized napkin over it and a baggie with rubber bands over it so that it doesn't leak all over my clothes (because it does leak from time to time and it is gross!) It wouldn't hurt to have a bottle of stool softeners also. I had a problem with this (ouch!) Don't forget vitamins too. I hate the centrum, they make me gag so I just recently got children's chewables from Costco. Gonna try them to see how they work for me (you have to take 4 a day but oh well hopefully I won't gag them down!) Well, those are all of my suggestions for now. I am looking forward to meeting you soon! Could you please email me your last name so that when I call to find out what room you're in they'll let me know?! Thanks!!! take care, ~Lynn