ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: WetEver on April 11, 2009, 02:20:08 pm
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As a newbie, I'm not sure if this subject has been previously discussed, but it probably will bring up some new ideas that will help me and others when it's time to pack for the journey.
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W.E. -
I'm sure you'll get a lot of responses to this post, but here's a link (that also has some other links in it) to get things started
http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=6939.0
Good luck,
Jan
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My response is in the thread that Jan conveniently linked - and in others that covered the same subject - but I'll repeat it here: don't over-pack because you won't really need much. This applies to women as well as men. Really.
Jim
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My response is in the thread that Jan conveniently linked - and in others that covered the same subject - but I'll repeat it here: don't over-pack because you won't really need much. This applies to women as well as men. Really.
Jim
Jim is SO right - women leave your makeup and hair styling stuff at home :D
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CHAPSTICK!!!
K
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Yes, Chapstick! That's really all I took w/ me and I used it a lot! I never came out of the hospital gown, never put on makeup, used their tooth brush, etc. As soon as I felt well enough to put on clothes, I was out of there!
Cindy
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Another vote for chapstick! I don't know why... but i could not have lived without it (and would have never thought of it... but did read it here and so glad i did).
Trish
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I haven't had surgery, so I will go out on a limb and suggest chapstick. Apparently it is the only thing you need. ;D
Steve
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The main things I used at the hospital that I brought were pajama pants and a t-shirt, slippers, hand lotion, face wipes, and my iPhone. I don't think I used the lip balm...guess I'm the odd one out :)
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Face wipes definitely, chapstick for sure, my own pj's (but the kind you don't have to pull over your head!) and that's about it. I packed a lot more than I used but it was my way of taking control. And my iphone came in handy!
M
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Love the inside information. :) Any additional tips or lists from anyone who traveled for surgery?
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I haven't had surgery, so I will go out on a limb and suggest chapstick.
And people think Lori and I are the smart-a**es of the forum! :D
I never read the link I attached in my first post, so if this is a repeat, please excuse me.
I didn't get out of the hospital-issued gown - you know that lovely one with the open backside ;D - so my suggestion is a robe to cover you up when you are walking the hall.
Don't want to give the nurses a "free show" :D
Jan
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Ah yes, Jan, you're right! I forgot about the need for a robe :o That is strongly suggested!
Cindy
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Sea Breeze Toner with cotton balls because you won't be at the sink bending over washing your face like at home. Extra warm socks. I didn't know I would be in the hospital for 2 weeks due to complications so I would have taken my aromatherapy travel candles. Anything to relax me and make me feel like I was back home. Vaseline because the feeding tube rubbed my nose raw. Ear plugs so that I didn't have to listen to the crazy patient who by the way was all the way down the hall but I could still hear him. My favorite snacks..........(Had I been able to eat them that is). My iphone. And last but not least my 2 kiddos and my Mommy and Daddy. (lol)
Angie
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Well, post-op, when I started walking the halls, I wore the almost brand-new Reebok ® sneakers that I'd worn into the hospital. Better traction. It also felt more 'normal' to wear them. The hospital supplied a (flimsy) robe, so that wasn't a problem. Other than that, a few books, a toothbrush and a comb were all I really needed. The concept of coming out of a long surgery and being able or willing to function as if you were just resting in a resort seems a tad unrealistic. I can see wanting a cell phone, maybe an iPod, perhaps a laptop as well as a few clothing and hygiene items. For the ladies, possibly a few other things ladies use but I still think most folks over-pack, which, by the way, isn't a crime. :)
Jim
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I took nothing and needed nothing except my cell phone but thought it would be considered too valuable. Dave brought the laptop in daily and read to me, but seeing anything was impossible with the double vision. If I could have, I would have smuggled in a huge bag of ice chips and snuck them whenever the nurse left. I would have brought my own little red call button, too, because you need to ring three times before anyone shows up. Especially the time I puked . . . don't eat the powdered eggs, but that's another story.
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I bought a special notebook and my family recorded things they did while they were waiting, what it was like when they got to see me, things the nurses and drs said, times / dates of medicines/ IVs, etc. It gave them something to do, and I have enjoyed reading it, because I didn't remember much of the first few days....and reading some of it...I'm glad I don't remember!!!! But I'm so glad to have the journal written by my family with love.
We also brought a basket of candies for the nurses station, to show our appreciation for all they did.
I bought warm slipper socks, too, and made sure they were fun and made me smile to look at them!!!
Good luck!
Kathy
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i bought several pairs of flannel pj's so i could actually look forward to being in the hospital. i never wore them - kept that ugly hospital gown on (now i can't remember why.. i guess it has something to do with just not caring the first few days). i think i brought my ipod but didn't really feel like putting it in my good ear. i brought my cell ph - that was helpful, but half the time it was over on the charger and i didn't feel like getting it. i brought a bunch of books but couldn't seem to read for more than a couple of minutes.
the one helpful thing i brought - that goofy stuffed animal i'm holding in my picture. it looks like a panda bear / alligator combination (an ikea creation). i bought one for me and one for my daughter. they are named 'charlie' and 'ollie.' it was something that brought me comfort - i could use 'ollie' as a pillow. knowing my kids had twin 'charlie' at home just made me feel better as well.
keri
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Of the things I brought to the hospital I used my chapstick and my cell phone. My hubby brought in my laptop each day. I put on my own pajamas on the last day which helped a little. I brought and put up an 8x10 picture of my family and had a lovey from my son and youngest daughter. My husband brought these things when I was moved to my regular room. It was weird walking into the hospital with nothing, not even my purse but you won't need much.
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I brought a pair of loose sweat pants for comfort, and did put those on the day after surgery when the catheter came out. Of course, the now infamous pink laptop (netbook) was useful. Otherwise, not much else I needed. The socks they provided had non-slip pads on the bottom, which were very comfortable and excellent for traction. I didn't bring my cell phone, but the wife had hers when she was visiting. I never did use the phone though, mainly because I was home the day after surgery. I'm sure I would have wanted to talk to family if I had stayed longer.
I agree with those that say pack light. You will not need much of anything the first day or two, and then whatever you need can be brought by your caregiver after that.
Ernie
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floss
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Floss? You are dedicated! I don't think I ever ate enough in the hospital to require that level of dental hygiene.
Priscilla
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I'm with you Priscilla! I don't floss on a good day - much less after major surgery. But then again, that's just me ::) :D
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Yes, Steve, chapstick is a necessity. Of course, I have it with me at all times normally, so it wasn't a big deal. Other than that, I had my toothbrush, a comb, which judging from my pictures, I did not use, and socks, because those are almost as important as the chapstick. I stayed in the hospital gown too because I figured it would be less laundry for me to worry about when I got home. I tied it closed securely for walks, but believe me, the nurses could care less about you mooning them. Just don't scare the visitors while you're doing it. :o
I tend to travel pretty light for hospital trips anyway because they have everything there - soap, toothpaste, combs, etc.
I think the thing I appreciated having the most was a picture of my kids. And fortunately, the hospital was not far from my house, so if I needed anything, my husband could have gotten it for me.
Lori
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I had a very long surgery and recovery so didn't need anything social! Here is my list
1. Chocolate for the nurses (or pizza).
2. PJs that button up the front.
3. Baby wipes to wipe my face and hands.
4. One of those beanbag, super squishy pillows
5. EAR PLUGS (or at least one for the good ear!)
I, personally, also found that for the first several days I really needed someone with me 24 hours. Nurses get busy and you need someone to help you.
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After surgery they tell you not to blow your nose, I always had that urge, because the stress to the facial nerve can sometimes affect the sinus on that side, I bought some of those "breathe right" strips. That really helped.
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Wow. Great idea - wish I would have thought of that.
I remember that whole "don't blow your nose thing" quite well ::)
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No one told my not to blow my nose, so of course I did, along with a host of other things that I shouldn't have done. Came through unscathed...
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No one told my not to blow my nose, so of course I did, along with a host of other things that I shouldn't have done. Came through unscathed...
Seriously? You aren't supposed to sneeze either - try that :P
Actually you can sneeze - you're just supposed to keep your mouth open when you do it ::) YUCK!
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Pizza and beer ;D. My recovery would have been so much more productive -- and speedier.
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Pizza and beer ;D. My recovery would have been so much more productive -- and speedier.
Are you serious??? You didn't bring pizza and beer?!? :D
Ernie
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I am wondering seriously about caffeine. I know I may have a headache from the actual brain surgery, but as of now my greater fear is the headache I will have if I miss a few days of caffeine. :o
Do all the pain meds just obliterate all the pain or the steroids hop you up enough that you don't miss the caff? I think I will instruct my caretakers on how to make shakes of chipped ice, Ensure and Starbucks Via just in case. :D
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Lilan~
I have had several surgeries and as a caffiene girl, the FIRST thing I say when I wake up is "CAFFIENE" - I also tell my hubby to ask for me. I know that there will be other pain, but this will help a little. My mom always said that she did that because she always thought that it made a difference. When I had the T3 last year, at first they would only give me clear liquids because I had told EVERYBODY how sick I get from anesthia - when they FINALLY gave me a Pepsi - things got a LOT better!! ;)
K
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I don't recall ever being restricted in my diet while in the hospital. If I wanted to order a coke or coffee for the drink with my meal, I wasn't stopped. Now, I'm not a heavy caffein drinker, so they might frown on a mainline of caffein or something, but based on my experience, they won't limit your meals (e.g. caffein).
Regards,
Brian
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I'm with you on the caffeine thing...my only realy pain after surgery, was the headache from the caffeine withdrawal! The second I was out of ICU, I demanded a Coke (not Pepsi, for me, K ::) )I also had them take me off the morphine, even before I was out of ICU. It took a couple of days to get enough caffeine back in to help w/ the headache as I was, unfortunately, so nauseous that I couldn't drink much at the time. My own fault, though, for being SO addicted. Due to the taste issues post-op, Coke didn't taste quite right for quite awhile, but I drank it anyway...for medicinal purposes ;)
Best of luck to you,
Cindy
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I'm glad I asked! I was almost embarrassed to post that question so I'm glad others share my caffeine addiction and understand. ;D
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Cindy~
I am NOT a Pepsi girl at all (that's all they had on campus where I went to college and I developed quite a hate for it!) but when that was all they had to offer - I took it right away! ;D
K
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I"m with you on the coffee addiction and that was a big worry for me too - but in ICU, I didn't care and the pain meds took care of headaches whatever the cause of them were. When I got to a regular room, I had no restrictions at all, and I started each day with 2 cups of coffee - didn't miss a beat!
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Pizza and beer ;D. My recovery would have been so much more productive -- and speedier.
Send me your address, David. I'll mail you some ;)
It's never too late for pizza and beer!
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I slowly decreased my caffiene intake in the two weeks leading up to surgery, to the point where I was down to zero the day before surgery. Wouldn't you know it, I got a KILLER migraine that day during my pre-op, and my physician prescribed a pain med with caffiene for me! I coudn't take ibuprofen or any other blood thinning meds, and tylenol doesn't touch any of my headaches.
I'm happy to report that I did not get any additional migraines with/after surgery, and I am right back to 2 cups of coffee a day :)
Ernie
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I didn't pack anything. The only thing I did need was a robe, but the PT was kind enough to hold my gown when I walked the hall.
I didn't feel like eating much for a couple of days in the hospital. The nurses would offer me water, ice chips, jello. Nope. I wanted coffee, even if I knew I wouldn't keep it down for long.
Syl
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Once I found the kitchen, you saw me in the hall at all hours going for a tea. I had someone bring me baby powder...What a wonderful feeling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then I got a craving for french fries which my son indulged me...I had everyone who came to visit go to the caf and get me an earl grey tea. The one thing I did buy and I am grateful to whomever mentioned it on here is a travel pillow...I love it and use it daily..
JO ;D
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I overpacked even though my friend the nuse said "this is surgery, not a spa you are going to". Didn't get a chance to use any of my regular face soaps, shower soap, etc...
What came in handy the most was chapstick, my Birkenstocks, and a walkman with a couple relaxing CDs. A cell phone would have been nice, in retrospect, because I couldn't always reach the phone in the room when it rang.
Upon waking up, after saying "Where am I" (thinking I had died and wondered what version of the after life this recovery room was), my next words were "Iced latte...." 8)
Kate
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I'm happy to report that I did not get any additional migraines with/after surgery, and I am right back to 2 cups of coffee a day :)
2 cups a day? I drink that with breakfast! Actually, for the last 50 years or so, I've drank at least 6 to 8 cups of 'regular' (caffeinated) coffee on a normal day - and have never had an issue with it. No headaches or digestive problems, normal BP and heart rate, etc. For what it's worth, I don't drink soda. I find that I don't get 'wired' by caffeine - but I'm sure I would develop headaches if I suddenly ceased drinking my coffee....so I won't. :)
Jim
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I was around 4 cups, but if for some reason I missed a day, it would result in a migraine. Hopefully not anymore :).
Ernie
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i brought nothing, and I wore the rattiest clothes I could find. They were warning us about the increase in theft at the hospital due to the economy. Wouldn;t know my luck? I got it all back! Now I have to throw them out!
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I brought nothing, and I wore the rattiest clothes I could find. They were warning us about the increase in theft at the hospital due to the economy. Wouldn't know my luck? I got it all back! Now I have to throw them out!
That's funny! :D I never considered using the hospital as a method for getting rid of old clothes. Very resourceful! I brought my regular clothes (but nothing too valuable). However, like you, I didn't lose a thing! :)
Jim
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That's funny! :D I never considered using the hospital as a method for getting rid of old clothes. Very resourceful! I brought my regular clothes (but nothing too valuable). However, like you, I didn't lose a thing! :)
Jim
I lost a tumor, and someone ran off with most of my hearing. Does that count? ;)
Ernie
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Good one, Ernie! :D I lost those things and about 50 pounds too!! ;)
K
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I brought an old pair of glasses and took off the bow so it could fit even with the bandage on my head. After about two days, they unwrap the bandage so I could wear my regular glasses.
If you're having surgery at St Vincents (affliated with House Clinic) and staying at Seton Guest Hall. You may want to bring some DVD or VHS tapes. The rooms don't have cable, so the TV selection wasn't too good. The TV room has a VCR and DVD player. The available tapes and DVDs are old.... so they are always asking for donations.