what to take into hospital - advice needed

[Angbunnyboo]

I'm due to go into hospital two weeks today for a major bowel cancer op and am likely to be in there for a fortnight.

What sort of things should I take? Ive got PJs and knickers on my list but I can't think what else I'll need. For the first couple of days I'll be pretty out of it on painkillers but I want to be as comfy as possible the rest of the time. Also want to feel fresh and as pampered as possible, if its even possible!

Help please!

Nice stretchy bra to feel comfy but supported in Pjs especially if you can have a little walk around when you’re feeling better. Some lovely face creams, cleansers and hand creams, things that you really love the smell of to perk you up. Your own flannels. Maybe a very light perfume, to lift your mood but not be too strong for other patients? Hope it all goes well for you 💐💐💐

A very light weight cotton dressing gown
Lip balm
Flip flops and/or spa slippers you can bin after
Anything that helps you freshen up in bed such as wipes that you like or a body mist
Chewing gum
Lots and lots of tech with chargers

And I’m sorry to hear you are going through this x

A puzzle book & pen.
Charger or one of those wee portable chargers.
A bottle of diluting juice.

Hope your operation goes smoothly.
Some suggestions;

A dressing gown
Hand sanitizer
Agree with suggestions about wipes (face cleanser wipes and maybe baby wipes as well so you can freshen up if you don’t have the energy to make it to the shower)
Magazines and your kindle (there might be days when looking at something cheesy like Hello is as much as you can manage)
Some cash but not very much.
iPad if you have one with some noise cancelling headphones - preload with easy to watch stuff to help pass the time.
Lemon barley water or similar

Best wishes

Water in a spray can in case it gets hot

Dry shampoo, might make you feel fresher

Charger with extra long lead as sometimes hard to reach plugs.

Definitely an iPad / Kindle

Nice toiletries / slippers, dressing gown or nice throw

Sweets or any treats you like / comfort food when you feel up to it. Might depend on eating restrictions

Would night dresses be a better option with the type of operation you are having?

Arnica for bruising, I've really no idea.

I love keeping fresh and clean (so toiletries is key for me) and I would wear warm socks.

Wishing you all the luck in the world x

Talc.
Wet wipes.
Lip balm.
Snacks! (Cereal bars?)
Kindle
Water bottle to refill, otherwise you just get a jug and a plastic cup, but if you take a thermal water bottle you'll at least have cool water.

Good luck

When I was in hospital for a while I waded through tonnes of Take A Breaks etc, and even did all the puzzles. Normally I’m a huge book snob but in hospital all I wanted to do was read “My hubby fathered triplets with next door’s cat” etc etc.

Agree about some throwaway slippers - and throwaway everything, really.

Are people allowed to drop off spare clothes, at reception say? Dh brought me in some more pjs - dd’s pjs. I was sitting there with giant smiley raccoons on my pyjamas... So I would take as many pairs of knickers as you can manage and several sets of pjs.

Vaseline for lips and to rub into your nails, and a nail file
For me, hair straighteners were important!
Books and magazines
Water bottle you can sip from lying down
A comfy pillow and nice soft blanket
Bobbles if you like tying your hair back
Moisturiser (face and hand)
Airpods (and ear plugs for night time)

Sorry to hear you are going through this, I wish you a speedy recovery.

All I know is that hospitals can be hot places so a face mist and calming face cream would be good, plus a lip balm. Ear plugs essential! Crap mags. Basically what everyone else has said! Decent slippers for when you can shuffle around. Wet wipes for face/body and ones to disinfect. Deodorant, body wash.

Dh brought me in some more pjs - dd’s pjs. I was sitting there with giant smiley raccoons on my pyjamas...

I am sure you looked lovely! Just as well they fit!

They were on the tight side! The nurses were amused

Sorry to hear you are ill OP.

A sleeping eye mask and earplugs are essential as they wake you up v early and the nights are usually noisy. Depending on your operation I’d suggest v loose PJ bottoms in case you get bloated post op. A soft bra top so you can sleep but not feel too all over the place for walking to the bathroom. A cosy dressing gown and slippers that are easy to put on but aren’t going to slip off. Hair bobbles or hair band as you might not feel up to a hair wash. Plenty of dry snacks so you can eat when you feel like it.

Personally I would pack:

Clothes:
Pyjamas
Dressing gown
Slippers
Nice loungewear/casual day clothes: getting changed into comfy clothes that are different to your pyjamas will make you feel fresher.
Comfortable sports type bras, comfy pants
A few of your own pillowcases
A drawstring bag or something to put dirty laundry in (hopefully you should be able to have someone come and pick it up at the ward doors for you).

Toiletries:
Shampoo cap in case you struggle to shower for the first few days:
www.boots.com/nilaqua-rinse-free-shampoo-cap-10219520
We used to have these on the ward where I worked years ago, they are well worth it! I would recommend buying a few in case they don't have them on your ward.
Dry shampoo for top ups.
Toothpaste and tooth brush, maybe some mouthwash and chewing gum
Nice shower gel
Shampoo and conditioner
Flip flops to wear in the shower (I would also pack some anti bac wipes to wipe down the shared ward bathroom toilet)
Deodorant
Hair brush
Turban type towel
Blow-dry cream
Hairdryer
Handcream
Face wash, day cream, toner, serum, night cream
Some make up if you want to.

To help you sleep:
Ear plugs
An eye mask
Your own pillow

To keep you entertained:
Phone
Kindle/iPad
Chargers
Headphones
Books
Your favourite chocolate, sweets, biscuits, cans/small bottles of drinks.

Do you know how much space you'll have for your stuff? I loaded someone up with toiletries, books, magazines etc but it turned out she was only allowed to take a small bag and everything had to fit inside a locker. The hospital shop was closed, there were strict rules about walking around and you weren't allowed to drop anything off for them at reception

I think she prioritised pyjamas, dressing gown, slippers, shower gel, shampoo, body lotion, towel and couple of books, phone, charger, headphones and earplugs.

The rules may have been relaxed since then and they might vary between hospital trusts but I would check before you go in.

Wishing you all the very best

@Deathraystare

I always used to tell patients that I could tell that their husbands had packed their bags: often they would just pack lingerie style nighties and nothing comfortable or useful like knickers or a toothbrush

Hey OP,

I'm sorry to hear you are going through a rubbish time and wish you the best of luck for your operation. I'm an auxiliary nurse and hope these suggestions help.

-Comfortable loose outfit for going home
-Loose fitting pyjamas or nightgowns
-Dressing Gown
-Slippers
-Slipper Socks/Fuzzy Socks
-Fleece Blanket (hospitals get cold at night)
-Eye Mask
-Lip Balm
-Toiletries (sponge is a must!-the dry wipes provided by NHS are rubbish)
-Books/Magazines
-Noise Cancelling Earphones
-Tablet (download movies/shows etc from Netflix, iplayer etc)
-Snacks (biscuits, crisps etc.)
-Phone and Tablet Charger
-Hair brush/Comb

Those are the best things I can think of off the top of my head. Most wards will have shower gels and the odd toiletries if you forget but I'd encourage you to bring your own, you'll feel better using your own. Depending on where your surgical scar will be, I'd maybe avoid underwear just to prevent any rubbing. Hospitals will also provide gowns for you to wear, a lot of patients on my ward choose to wear the gowns to save a build up of washing but again you'd probably feel more comfortable in your own.

Wishing you the best of luck and a speedy recovery.

Someone else mentioned diluting juice. I'd agree, definitely bring some diluting juice and soft drinks of your choosing.

Some good suggestions!

I had bowel surgery a few months ago.

Things I was glad I took:

Water flask ( I like water as cold as possible)
Long charger
Kindle
Flip flops for the shower
Anti bac wipes/ hand sanitizer
My own pillow
Light dressing gown
Loose low waisted tracksuit bottoms
A nightie or two for the first couple of days after surgery when you have a catheter in
Mini dry shampoo/baby wipes. You'll not feel up to showering. Bring some mini shampoo etc in case you stay in long enough to be using the shower.

Good luck OP

Eye mask

Headphones

Ear plugs

Headphones and maybe eye mask so you can sleep in the day (or pretend to)
‘Loungewear’ in case it helps you feel better than nightwear

Lots of Loose, comfy pjs and loungewear. Its hot so pack cool Pjs, short sleeves at least.

A light dressing gown
Slippers or slipper socks

A face mist because its hot

Eye mask and ear plugs.

I agree with dry shampoo and wet wipes, anything to freshen up without showering. Lots and lots of comfy knickers, you may need to stay in longer than you expect so pack extra.

But remember you are in hospital, the priority is to get better and be comfortable. You may feel like crap for a while, and might not feel like using any nice self care stuff you bought. Don't feel any pressure to use skincare or make up or do your hair. Its perfectly acceptable to sit there in your pjs with greasy hair if you need.

Comfy stuff
Your own smellies
Lip balm
Small hand held fan / facial water spray
Books / entertainment
Leave valuables etc at home esp. rings if they come off.
Cordial if liked.

These are what comes up most often when I'm at work.