What to take to the hospital//Everyone

[Guest guest]

gave a lot of good info in her post-op report. I wanted to

add to the " take to the hospital " list. Others have posted lists in

the past but I see a lot of 'broid buddies have surgery scheduled in

the next little while so here it is:

First, a note -- I gave my bag to the hospital staff to send to my

room instead of burdening hubby with it (we thought I was going to

have a longer surgery than I did). This meant that it didn't show up

in my room until several hours after I did, and I was desperate for

two things immediately, even in recovery: chapstick and throat

lozenges. So think through what you want to have access to before you

surrender your things.

> Things I took to hospital that I'm really glad I did:

> a) " Granny " above-the-bellybutton knickers/panties –

Yes. You won't want anything tight against your incision, whatever

kind of incision you have. I wore these for 3 weeks after the surgery.

> b)Mouthwash – your throat will be very dry and ticklish after the

op because they " tube " you once you're under.

> c)Travel size cleansing/toning wipes to put by your bed – you might

> get sweaty and sticky in the first 2 days (I wasn't able to get out

> of bed to shower until day 3)

> d)Handcream: my hands got very dry in hospital, esp. as it was

winter with heaters on, etc.

>

> Things that I wish I had thought of:

> a)List of tel. numbers you might want to use by your bed –

> b)Vaseline for chapped lips: your lips will most likely be VERY DRY

> and get chapped – all after effects of the anaesthesia.

I second that emotion!

> c)Light gossip magazines: ...I tried reading

> a " normal " book but found that I didn't have enough concentration

to

> go beyond one paragraph a day.

I started to read from my paperback on the second day, when I sat up

for about 20 minutes in a chair. That's all the reading I did.

Now for my additions:

1. Overalls for the trip home. And I lived in these for the first

week. Comfy without feeling like " sick " clothes. I've continued to

wear them from time to time when I wanted that good soft comfy feel.

2. Slippers. The hospital said to bring my own and I did, for walking

in the halls. They supplied socks with rubber grippy stuff on the

bottom but slippers are better for walking.

3. Robe for walking in the halls. I wore the hospital gown underneath.

4. Favorite pictures. I made a small collage of photos of my hubby,

daughter & her hubby, my elderly cat that had finally passed away

very peacefully the week before my surgery, etc., and a picture I

thought of as " before " and " after " -- a doorway in shadow and a

doorway with light.

Best to all!

Sunny