Heading to hospital can be daunting for anyone and trying to figure out what to take is just one more thing for your muddled mind to have to think about.
I’ve had a few surgeries…7 in 2 years and a couple more to come so I think I’ve just about perfected packing for a hospital stay.
I remember preparing for my first surgery (a mastectomy) and I’d head to the supermarket to stock up on what I thought I needed and would arrive home with a random assortment of useless stuff. My mind was muddled and swirling with so many thoughts that I found it hard to focus, that’s why I’m giving you my top 20 tips for a comfortable hospital stay.
- Lip balm– I’ve tried LOTS and Carmex is my favourite. Lips get dry from anaesthetic, fasting, medication and air conditioning so slather on some soothing lip balm regularly.
- Hand cream– again its the air conditioning and medications that play havoc with your skin so keep a tube of your favourite hand cream nearby.
- Dry shampoo– if you are staying more than a few nights then dry shampoo is essential to helping a girl feel better. For most of my surgeries I couldn’t shower let alone lift my arms to wash my hair but a quick spray of dry shampoo on my roots went a long way to making me look and feel better.
- Hand wipes– perfect for a quick wipe over to freshen up. Hand sanitizer never goes astray either.
- Socks– feet can get very cold after surgery and the air conditioning in a hospital is often quite cold on the tootsies.
- Slip on shoes-no one wants to walk bare foot in a hospital and slippers can often be warm so a pair of slip on canvas sneakers are easy to get into and have good grip to help prevent falls.
- A sleep mask– soooo essential! Hospitals are bright and lights stay on through the night so a sleep mask will help you to shut out light and hopefully get a good nights sleep.
- Ear buds/Headphones– ear buds are essential when watching television or listening to music…and blocking out noisy neighbours.
- Your own water bottle– I don’t like drinking from a cup with a straw especially when I’m on pain medication…yeah I’ve spilt a cup or two on myself so prefer taking my own water bottle that’s easier to manage. Sometimes I take my own aluminium water because hospital water can taste a bit stale.
- Rosewater face mist– perfect for hydrating rose mist spray will make a girl feel fresher
- Phone charger– after a few surgeries we invested in a portable charger perfect for charging bedside when I had limited movement. Remember to load your phone or IPAD with music, meditation guides and movies.
- A scarf– perfect for keeping the cold off your neck/chest/head but also for popping over gaping gowns for privacy. A scarf is also nice to wear when moving around the hospital on walks as it can cover tubes and drains or just add a pop of colour to help you feel brighter.
- A bag for dirty clothes– having a separate bag that you can put your washing into makes life easier for when family visit, they can then take it home to be cleaned.
- Comfy knickers– comfy knickers are essential. Leave your fancy stuff at home and purchase some good basic cottontail type pairs. They will give you good coverage and if they get soiled you can throw them out.
- Loose clothing– wearing loose Jersey clothing is the way to go in hospital. Tees with plenty of room in the neck and arms in case you have drains or IV’s and roll down soft jersey pants will be easy to manoeuvre in.
- Money– not much, just enough for magazines and a good cup of coffee. Remember your credit card details too for booking a TV if you are a public patient.
- Mints– breath can get a bit stale with medications so it’s always nice to freshen up with a mint.
- Front opening pyjamas-often you can end up in a hospital gown sometimes for days because it’s easier for nurses to gain access. When you graduate to pyjamas front opening are easier, they aren’t always easy to find especially in bigger sizes and at times I’ve resorted to a chambray shirt with soft pants…it’s ok to improvise.
- Your own pillow– I can’t stand the crinkly noise of hospital pillows so take my own, in fact I take a U shaped pillow to help support me and I also take a pretty throw rug
- Chocolate– NUFF SAID 🙂
I hope this list helps you if you ever need to go to hospital, or maybe you can use it for reference if a friend or family member is having a hospital stay.
Is there anything you would add?
Please comment below as your suggestion just may help someone else.
Til next time,
Jen x
Hi,
I am not planning on going to hospital but if i did then all your suggestions i love.
I shall keep it as a reference though i personally hope not to need for now 🙂
xo
Awesome Teresa. I hope you never need it x
Great suggestions. When I was in radioactive isolation, my little laptop was my best friend, I could blog and watch movies! Depending on the hospital and the food it serves up, it’s also worth taking some healthy non-perishable snacks incase you get hungry, and I always remember to say thanks for having me to the nurses!
Oh yeah, manners in hospital are a must Sam. Love my nurses x
a great list jen! …
very helpful for those who are about to undertake a distressing time in their lives
when the mind is elsewhere! … I think it’s even a good list for traveling too!
I like the last one especially!;0 … love m:)X
Oh yeah chocolate is a must
Thats a great list Jenni! I think you have covered everything. Hopefully after your next couple of surgeries you won’t be packing this bag ever again xx
Fingers crossed Fleur 🙂
I would take a few books and my iPad
Good idea sue, my iPad goes everywhere with me x
I also pack my thongs I shower in them too would hate a plantar wart! I take in nice smelly stuff too and make sure that is just my hospital toiletries! Being an aromatherapist smell can make you feel so much better but afterwards you will associate those smells with hospital and how you felt! I love the Nivea face wipes as the feel so so fresh good for body and face! Howard’s storage world do some great refillable bottles which are soft to pack and awesome to refill invade your in for a while! The little minis don’t last long! I also pack a Vicks inhaler for nose as hospitals tend to snuff you up! Glad I’m not the only one with all my little bits! Good luck hun! Xxx
Great tips Saskia! You can also get the refillable bottles at Target and K Mart x
Awesome post. So incredibly helpful. My friend from work has just been diagnosed and has a op next week. Forwarding her this x
Oh no Erin, much strength to your friend xxx
I am a frequent flyer at hospitals I have been so many times ,and am due for another surgery this year a cervical spinal fusion,great tips I also take a hair elastic or 2 and some light perfume I can spritz.I have never thought of an eye mask so thank you Jenni I will take one next time xx
I can’t sleep without an eyemask when in hospital Lisa. Good luck for your next surgery, I have another one or two this year also xxx