Packing advice

Hey! I didnt use a single thing I packed the entire time I was in the hospital except for two things. And here they are in order of extreme importance. 1. My stuffed puppy. (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) She came with me and I held onto her the entire time they were prepping me for surgery. She let me bite her nose as they tried time after time to run an iv line, artery line and get a vile of blood and kept blowing veins. She let me cry into her fur as I got nervous and panicky. After surgery, she was the only thing I was aware of for the first few days. She slept by my head and covered my face everytime the doctor's and nurses came in every 5 minutes and turned lights on while I slept--or tried to. This was her most valuable contribution. She also held onto me while they continued to blow iv lines and restick them and every time I got the nasty blood thinner shots to the stomach--twice a day. 2. Book of Suduko puzzles They put me to sleep when I couldnt. Kept me focused on something besides the pain while I waited for 10 minutes to pass for another morophine dose. The dietician told me when I was leaving that she had come in during one of the first two days and while I was totally incoherant, I was gripping the book and struggling to fill in numbers. That's my advice to all you coming up. Didn't use the robe, jammies, socks, or anything else. Just my precious puppy and my puzzle book! Hugs and prayers for safe surgeries and quick recoveries! Love, De

De I have to say I agree with you. Everyone was telling me what to pack like books and cd player with cds. I didnt even look at the magazines or book I brought. I didnt bring pjs, glad I didnt since I recieved my "friend" and made a mess. I did have my robe and slippers and pillow from home. I would have terrible missed my slippers and wanted the robe for my walks around the hospital. My aunt (what a sweetheart) got me a stuffed moose (I collect them) and it was soft and it sure helped when it came time to cough up ick and was able to hold him against my stomach and make the cough a little easier. -Sue 242/???/130

Ditto on the packing.I brought toomuch and did not need any of it except for chap stick and my own bottle of purrell.Good luck to you all. Patsy

Awww, a puppy and a moose! I took my stuffed Gorilla, Chocolate. Guess what he's brown! I got him when I was in second grade and had to have surery on both of my hips 3 times (2 for pins to go, seperate dates, and 1 date for the pin removal). Since I was so young, the nurses and doctors dressed Chocolate up each time. I believe he has had his appendix removed, a broken arm, stitched up head, etc etc... he ever wore the booties and had the mask and hat on that the doctors wear. For my surgery, nothing was wrong (a bit old lol) but he was great to use as a pillow, hold on my belly as I coughed and just there when no one else was He's back on his perch in my room watching everything happen. He's awesome and I'm so glad I had him. LOL *~*Jaci*~*

Teehee - I brought my stuffed panda with me, I've had him since I was little and he goes everywhere with me that I might need him! He even went with me to the hospital when I had my daughter. Now my daughter and I "share" him. My husband was talking to her on the phone while we were at the hospital and he made a comment about taking care of mommy and she informed him, "Daddy, panda is with mommy, panda will take care of her." My little grown up! (she's four) The only other thing I used that I packed was my slippers, my chapstick, and I brought my favorite blanket from home to sleep under. A panda and a blanket, I really am a grown up - I swear!! Beth

I brought a travel pillow - one of the U shaped ones - that's filled with beans. It was cool, kept my head straight and has been my #1 item to this moment. I did not use anything else I brought except my iPod for about 10 minutes. Best wishes to all that are starting their new lives! ~Tiffany

Hey De You're so right~~~~don't need a bunch of stuff in hospital! I didn't bring anything cuddly with me (although I've got tons of bears) I had heard my Doctor's office would bring over a bear to me. And Beverly, one of staff brought Sunni to me morning after surgery. He's a big bright yellow extra soft bear that is perfect for holding onto while you cough. I snuggled with him the whole time in hospital. Really came in handy trying to get comfortable in those horrible beds. I can remember one of times nurse came in around 2:00am and I had Sunni snuggled up beside me, her saying "now this is a Kodak moment". (can imagine what they think of a 44 year old woman snuggled with a bear Good to see I'm not the only "babe" around here! {{{{{HUGS}}}} and prayers for you too! Lisa

I agree, I was so freaked out pre-op worrying about what to pack, to help make myself more comfortable. Here is what I actually used; Robe - very warm and cozy for walks Slippers- ditto Underwear- I felt so much better knowing that I was contained Brush and Scrunchie- my god-forsaken natural curls were quite unrully chapstick- felt nice having my chosen brand and flavor Toothbrush and paste- ditto mini phonebook and calling card- so I could call whomever I felt inclined to. Everything else I brought was just baggage that had to be carted back home... Live and learn, huh? _______________________ Angela

What I used the most was my Carmex. The hospital was so damn dry I must have used a half a pot of the stuff Leave the pj's at home.