What to take for hospital stay?!

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lotte26

lotte26

Joined
Aug 9, 2009
Messages
153
I'm trying to make a list... What are some things I should take To hospital with me? I have the basics like clothes, earplugs, eye mask, pillow... What else? I've never been in hospital for more than two nights! And I'll be in for up to two weeks for a proctocolectomy and ileostomy.

Any wee lifesaving things I might forget about taking?

:sign0085:
 
As far as your clothes - take button down vs pull over shirts.....easier to put on/off with an IV.....comfy pajama pants (with no metal on them - in case of x-rays).....

Breath mints, chewing gum.....books if you like to read, or some other 'time wasting' thing...I like needlepoint and knitting.....no-spill cup (you should be able to get straws there).....computer, phone numbers of friendes/relatives - in case you need someone to bring something!
 
Oh dear! I have nothing that is button down... How bad is that. :S maybe I should get something? Breath mints is a good one. Also needlepoint sounds cool I might actually try cross stitch or something! :) I have one lying somewhere I havent finished.

:)
 
I'm becoming a bit of an expert in this..lol
For me, it's my laptop and dongle, ipod, and earplugs are all priority. Also moisturiser and chap stick, my skin and lips are always drying out whilst in there.
Remember your chargers (mobiles etc). Hard boiled sweets and mints, juice if you can't tolerate/like water. I always have my hair straightners with me too (I hate the frizzy look).
 
Oh, and emergency supply of chocolate for when you can eat. My munchies always came late at night, when no one was around. Too much of a walk then to go find a vending machine!
 
If you are taking your computer then take DVD's as well.
If you have regular visitors that have a recordable DVD player then they may be able to record shows you like to watch.
An Ipod is good if you have one.
Stock up on your favourite magazines.
Sometimes hospital blankets can be pretty crap so take a quilt if you prefer one.
Slippers or something easy to slip on, they'll have you out of bed pretty quick!
The docs told everyone to chew gum or suck on Barley Sugar to get their bowels up and running again.

Dusty. :)
 
I was told I can have hard candy, nothing red though cause it might be confused with bleeding.
One thing that happened more accidentally was the fact that before going in the second time that I got my hair cut. That helped a lot even though it was a $8.00 cut.
Took my little laptop to keep in touch with friends and check up on the Crohnsforum. And, I am reader so books were an absolute necessity for me.
 
Don't forget to take a robe and a pair of slippers. You'll be out of bed the next day after the op and within a week you'll be walking everywhere. My list would include a good book or a kindle full of them, your lappy and a dongie to keep in touch with the world, some converted videos you like on the hard drive to watch later, at least 2 pairs of headphones (they break), I even took a stick to watch telly in my bed whenever I felt like it, and bags of munchies. :)

Hope all goes well for you. :)
 
Last edited:
I brought hoodies, comfy loose trackies and a pair of trainers they were great for nipping down to the shop and walking outside instead of your dressing gown and they're really comfy, I felt it really helped me to get out of my pj's and into clothes every day. Hairdryer, straighteners and makeup also good to help you feel better and lets face it you've lots of spare time to do yourself up in the mornings. I also brough my own plastic cutlery sad I know but i'm a bit paranoid about cross infection!!! good luck and wishing you a speedy recovery
 
Moist wipes - not for your bum; they're good to have on hand for a quick, one-minute freshen-up if the showers are busy and you are expecting visitors... :p I also brought pen and paper to journal - I guess if you have a laptop you wouldn't need the pen/paper... Ummm... everyone else has pretty much covered what I would bring... Lots of fresh socks n undies. Toothbrush. Deodorant.

Good luck!
 

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