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'Must haves' for hospital stay.

59 replies

Borntobeamum · 08/03/2019 06:29

I'm going Into hospital on Monday for colon cancer surgery. Please help with your essentials that really helped.
So far I have -
Sleepwear and slippers
Sleep bras
Big comfy knickers
Toiletries
Tissues
Lip balm
Hand cream
Ear plugs
Purse with change
Notebook and pen
Kindle and charger
Phone charger
Magazines

Thanks x x

OP posts:
LarkDescending · 08/03/2019 15:20

Mouthwash for a nice refreshing gargle.

Some sort of soothing barrier cream can be useful if (like mine) your skin reacts to the adhesive in dressings.

Make sure the Bridget Jones knickers are really roomy if there is a chance you will emerge with a stoma.

Best of luck OP Flowers

LarkDescending · 08/03/2019 15:21

Re juice you may well find they want you to be drinking lots of apple juice (for the healing pectin in it) once you're on the mend, but I found it best to let my visitors bring that and any other perishables once I was ready for them.

user1457017537 · 08/03/2019 15:30

Depending on how long your stay will be I would add a track suit or similar. A bit warmer than nightdresses. I find slippers get filthy so something comfortable for your feet. Pack of bottled waters. Maybe an eye mask.

AppleJuiceFlood · 08/03/2019 15:35

I think a wee basket is a great idea. As a nurse I find it really frustrating when tables/lockers become cluttered and can’t be cleaned easily. If it’s in a basket it can be moved or lifted easily for cleaning. 👍🏻
Sounds like you’ve got most things covered. I’m glad you’ve got ear plugs. Hospitals are not built for sleeping well unfortunately. I’d recommend some flip flops for the shower.

Good luck with your treatment -Flowers

LittleMissNaice · 08/03/2019 15:42

A crossword or similar book?
Flip flops or slip on shoes if you won't want to be bending.

LarkDescending · 08/03/2019 15:46

Track suit is a good idea - or I liked to have leggings on even if I was wearing a nightdress or hospital gown. Good to have something on the bottom half when they are lifting your gown for all the various examinations and dressing changes. It also makes you feel more human and less like an invalid if you have some day clothes as well as nightclothes.

LarkDescending · 08/03/2019 15:49

Nice to have but not essential:

Cashmere (or similar) cosy wrap.
Pillow spray (my mother gave me a lavender one) for restful sleep - or failing that, a nice smell!

anniehm · 08/03/2019 16:05

Squash - lemon is particularly good if your taste buds are off. I'm guessing you will be on a super restrictive diet so tell family and friends not to bring in foods you can't eat (this happened to my friend whose had similar surgery). Comfy day clothes ideally without a tight waist due to where your scar will be - they encourage you to dress these days. Dry shampoo is good if you have to avoid baths and showers for a bit. Charger for phone and things to do that will take your mind off pain (this varies obviously, for some it's music, others books whatever)

user1457017537 · 08/03/2019 16:06

I think you feel a bit more vulnerable in hospital and especially after an op. So getting out of nightwear is good I think you can be more assertive when you are dressed as well. By dressed I mean leggings, comfy lounge wear etc.

AuntieMaggie · 08/03/2019 16:13

Comfy baggy bottoms and a hoody/warm comfy top for during the day if you feel up to getting dressed. Earphones for Kindle/tablet/phone - download stuff on Kindle app/iplayer/sky go/Netflix/podcast app before hand. Sweets to suck - you may feel queasy after surgery. Flannels for a quick wash/freshen up. Dressing gown in case it's a bit chilly

HeronLanyon · 08/03/2019 18:09

Plus now a trailer of some sort to haul everything to hospital in Grin

LarkDescending · 08/03/2019 18:11

Yes ideally you take only the basics at the beginning, and get someone to bring the rest once you're settled on the ward after the op Smile

Borntobeamum · 08/03/2019 18:44

You're all so kind Im Crying again, thank you for all your ideas and suggestions. They are all noted and I appreciate your thoughts x x

OP posts:
user1457017537 · 08/03/2019 19:42

Sending best wishes, I hope all goes well for a full recovery Flowers

WontLetThoseRobotsDefeatMe · 08/03/2019 19:43

Born, that floaty dressing gown sounds exactly the sort of thing my mother would send for me - probably hoping I'd finally marry above my station by finding a hunky Doctor in it!

Charger cables that are long, or those power packs - 1 to charge at the mains and one to charge your phone.

Glasses case - they're really easy to lose otherwise!!

Sudoku or crossword book, something a bit mindless but time consuming for when your feeling wobbly.

Notepaper and a pen for all the questions you forget to ask when someone's there!!

nocoolnamesleft · 08/03/2019 19:44

Make sure you remember your phone earphones, and load up with your preferred music.

FurrySlipperBoots · 08/03/2019 20:10

I thought of nearly everything on a recent admission, except headphones - had to send my siblings out to buy some for me! I took my laptop and a massive pile of DVDs. There wasn't wifi but just having well known sitcoms like Friends, and upbeat films I know by heart, on in the background was comforting. I wouldn't have been able to concentrate on or enjoy new ones but old favourites were great.

Oh, bulldog clips!! The ward I was on had new disposable curtains with old fashioned rails that were pretty incompatible, so there was a gap at least a foot wide when they were supposed to be drawn around. So no real privacy during intimate exams etc. Bulldog clips would have been good to keep them together for these occasions, and while getting changed etc.

Lip balm and handcream!!

And actually, Febreeze to squirt inside slippers. They did get a bit stinky.

More sleepwear and undies than you'd think you'd need, unless you have someone visiting daily who can bring these in as and when you want them.

Antiperspirant.

My hospital's water wasn't too bad but other patients had bottles of squash, so something to consider.

MP3 player with audiobooks? You may not always feel up to reading and as with the DVDs it's sometimes good to just have distracting noise playing.

Mini toiletries like people take on holiday. They fit nicely into a small washbag so you're not lugging everything with you.

Antibacterial gel. Some people take antibacterial wipes too.

Yes to eyemask. I don't like them but the painkillers made me so dopey I just wanted to sleep in the evenings and the ward lights were still on til 10 or 11.

Snacks and treats to tempt you after the surgery.

I can't think of anything else. Loads and heaps of luck OP! I'll be thinking of you.

FurrySlipperBoots · 10/03/2019 12:47

@Borntobeamum

Oh, also, refreshing eye drops! Hospitals are really drying environments!

And not a suggestion of what to take, but a tip - when I was in for abdominal pain the nurses gave everyone an injection each night to stop blood clots. It was meant to be in the tum, which wasn't very pleasant, but you can have it in the arm too. The arm was barely noticeable so I would recommend going for that option if they want you to have it.

Borntobeamum · 10/03/2019 14:17

Furry Thank you. I have to give myself that injection tonight at 6pm and was told tummy or thigh. I'd decided as they are cutting my tummy tomorrow I'd go for the leg 😏

OP posts:
workinprogressmum · 10/03/2019 14:26

Can't think of much else to recommend but sincerely hope your surgery and receive go well :)

FurrySlipperBoots · 10/03/2019 14:42

@Borntobeamum Ooo you poor munchkin! It's bad enough having stuff done to you but to have to do it to yourself... that just seems mean! Are you allowed to eat this evening?

Borntobeamum · 10/03/2019 16:44

Furry Thank you. Yes I have to fast after 8am tomorrow morning. The surgery all depends on a Echocardiogram and redoing the bike stress test as when I did it last week, it flagged up a major heart problem too. I've been on Beta blockers for a 10 day trial in the hope that my heart will withstand the operation. I'm scheduled for tomorrow afternoon x x x
I will update when I either come round, or be despatched home 🙄

OP posts:
LessLivid · 10/03/2019 16:55

Chewing gum. I couldn't get out of bed to brush my teeth for a couple of days so chewing gum freshened me up a bit.

Download Audible and get some easy-listening/comedy type stuff for when reading is too much effort. I started Cabin Pressure in hospital, decided I HATED it out of hospital-induced rage after episode one, kept trying and then became its biggest fan by the time I was healed...

Graphista · 10/03/2019 18:31

Depending on the exact surgery I'm wondering if incontinence pants might be an idea? Not only for leaks but softer more comfy waistband (especially if trapped wind likely to be an issue)

Download films/tv shows/books to tablet/phone at home using your wifi, maybe consider a temporary data boost on your phone account, sometimes there's not great access to wifi at hospitals if any and it can be unreliable

Notepad and pens - not everything can be done on phone/tablet, can also be handy if you're too dry after a GA for communicating or even just jotting down things you want folk to get you when you think of them at 3am and can't sleep

Lemon squash is also good for counteracting bitter tasting meds.

These are (I think) similar to the phone cables I normally get (which are currently unavailable) good length and sturdy

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-CABEPOW-iPhone-Charging-Compatible-3Pack-2M/dp/B07KMWDTLS/ref=sxbssxwds-stvp?keywords=aimus+iphone+se+cable&pddrdi=B07KMWDTLS&pddrdr=05be6f2f-adf1-4be4-93ea-b17929769d16&pddrdw=pBVog&pddrdwg=Mzxrk&pffrdp=314eef3b-4a34-4aa6-9bd5-4bd1fb026910&pffrdr=D3CTDYPK3FSN6FH2K9XB&qid=1552238750&s=gatewayy__
_
I normally get

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B074FQZPKK/ref=yaa_awohhbiadp?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'd recommend a pot lip balm rather than something like Chapstick as its more moisturising

Good call on eye drops! Even just visiting I find my eyes dry and irritated.

Cocolepew · 10/03/2019 18:37

Facial moisturiser, hospitals, are so drying.
Pen.
I prefer to get into leggings and a sweatshirt during the day, but I suppose it depends on the type of surgery.
Best of luck Flowers