There is one thing I learned from Kathryn's trip to the hospital and that is we should all have a ready bag set to go if and when we have to take our LO to the hospital. Not just for our loved but one for you too.
I had to go back home several times to get things that either Kathryn or I needed.
Please keep the list growing. Just copy and paste this list to your box and add to it anything that you think should be considered when going to the Hospital.
The List:
For your loved one:
1. List of medicines. 2. Something to make LO comfortable (In Kathryn's case this was her pillow). 3. Night clothes for when they can wear them. 4. Clothe for the trip home. 5. Tooth brush and tooth brush. 6. Something small and familiar that they can hold. This help to keep her/him from playing with the tubes. She pulled out her IV once before I gave her one of her hair brushes. 7. Her/his drinking cup. 8. Power of Attorney if it is not on file at the hospital, any other legal papers you may need. 9.House shoes, socks, robe.
For yourself:
1. Your medicines. 2. A good book are something to do while waiting. There will be a lot of waiting. 3. Three days of clothes. 4. Tooth brush and tooth paste. 5. A pillow and blanket. 6. Pens & pad of paper for writing down any instructions given. 7. Perfume or cologne, it will make the patient and you feel better about yourself. 8. Change for the coke machines and phones. 9. Phone numbers of people you may need to contact. 10. Snacks, snacks, and more snacks.
I would like to add any legal papers such as Power of Attorney if it is not on file at the hospital, any other legal papers you may need. house shoes, socks, robe, pens, pads for writing down any instructions given, perfume or cologne, it will make the patient and you feel better about yourself. Deodorant, shampoo, mouthwash, change for the coke machines and phones, phone numbers of people you may need to contact, snacks, snacks, and more snacks....... wet wipes. Can't think of much else but I am sure there is more. Thanks for starting this JimB, it is a nice touch.
Praying for you and Kathryn to have comfort and peace while going thru this stressful time.
yes great idea to have a bag of stuff ready -you never know when it will be needed. on many occasions i had nothing to eat in ER after hrs. make sure you have protein bars and light weight drinks in your bag! i also couldnt get some OTC meds DH needed in the ER ie-prilosec for acid reflux. they didnt have that available. cell phone charger as well if they decide to keep them overnight from ER to hospital stay -so i always had our stuff in a bag in the car at all times.
I was pleasantly surprised during my husband's recent hospitalization that I was not only permitted to stay with him overnight, but was encouraged to do so. The sofa folded down into an adequately comfortable bed--a sheet, blankets and pillow were provided. The desk provided had internet hook-up so I could email family and friends.
1. List of medicines. 2. Something to make LO comfortable (In Kathryn's case this was her pillow). 3. Night clothes for when they can wear them. 4. Clothe for the trip home. 5. Tooth brush and tooth brush. 6. Something small and familiar that they can hold. This help to keep her/him from playing with the tubes. She pulled out her IV once before I gave her one of her hair brushes. 7. Her/his drinking cup. 8. Power of Attorney if it is not on file at the hospital, any other legal papers you may need. 9. House shoes, socks, robe. 10. OTC meds DH needed.
For yourself:
1. Your medicines. 2. A good book are something to do while waiting. There will be a lot of waiting. 3. Three days of clothes. 4. Tooth brush and tooth paste. 5. A pillow and blanket. 6. Pens & pad of paper for writing down any instructions given. 7. Perfume or cologne, it will make the patient and you feel better about yourself. 8. Change for the coke machines and phones. 9. Phone numbers of people you may need to contact. 10. Snacks, snacks, and more snacks. 11. Protein bars and light weight drinks. 12. OTC meds DH needed. 13. Cell phone charger. 14. lap top/cell/Galaxy Tab etc... (Computer access).
I could prepare a ready bag for DH ahead of time for most of the items - but not for me. I need much of the items listed on a daily basis. The list is good to have though, when you need to gather things together. Thanks for posting.
Something that has occurred to me if I would have to go to the hospital with DH--if he was admitted as an inpatient and I needed to stay overnight with him. I don't think I would take a purse, but rather, his old wallet to put money in and credit card, health ins cards, etc. That way, I could slip it into my pocket and not have to worry about it being stolen while I was asleep. How would you secure a laptop/tablet, etc. in that case? Years ago, DH was visiting his Mom in the hospital, left the room for a moment, and his laptop was stolen.
1. List of medicines. 2. Something to make LO comfortable (In Kathryn's case this was her pillow). 3. Night clothes for when they can wear them. 4. Clothe for the trip home. 5. Tooth brush and tooth brush. 6. Something small and familiar that they can hold. This help to keep her/him from playing with the tubes. She pulled out her IV once before I gave her one of her hair brushes. 7. Her/his drinking cup. 8. Power of Attorney if it is not on file at the hospital, any other legal papers you may need. 9. House shoes, socks, robe. 10. OTC meds DH needed.
For yourself:
1. Your medicines. 2. A good book are something to do while waiting. There will be a lot of waiting. 3. Three days of clothes. 4. Tooth brush and tooth paste. 5. A pillow and blanket. 6. Pens & pad of paper for writing down any instructions given. 7. Perfume or cologne, it will make the patient and you feel better about yourself. 8. Change for the coke machines and phones. 9. Phone numbers of people you may need to contact. 10. Snacks, snacks, and more snacks. 11. Protein bars and light weight drinks. 12. OTC meds DH needed. 13. Cell phone charger. 14. lap top/cell/Galaxy Tab etc... (Computer access). 15. Money, credit cards, health ins cards, etc. 16. Fanny Pack to keep money and such in.
I took my galaxy Tab which is a small computer and if I left the room I put in in my suit case which I can lock with a small padlock.
Coco,
The list is for all of us.
It's as they say, there is no I in team. This website is like one big team working together to help each other. I don't believe there is an "I" on this web site. Everything posted is to help anybody and everybody that can use it.
Jim--in this city, I wouldn't be surprised if a suitcase (even if padlocked) was stolen from a hospital room! I was thinking that something like a moneybelt or the little pocket on a cord that is sold for travelers could also be used for valuables.
1. List of medicines. 2. Something to make LO comfortable (In Kathryn's case this was her pillow). 3. Night clothes for when they can wear them. 4. Clothe for the trip home. 5. Tooth brush and tooth brush. 6. Something small and familiar that they can hold. This help to keep her/him from playing with the tubes. She pulled out her IV once before I gave her one of her hair brushes. 7. Her/his drinking cup. 8. Power of Attorney if it is not on file at the hospital, any other legal papers you may need. 9. House shoes, socks, robe. 10. OTC meds DH needed.
For yourself:
1. Your medicines. 2. A good book are something to do while waiting. There will be a lot of waiting. 3. Three days of clothes. 4. Tooth brush and tooth paste. 5. A pillow and blanket. 6. Pens & pad of paper for writing down any instructions given. 7. Perfume or cologne, it will make the patient and you feel better about yourself. 8. Change for the coke machines and phones. 9. Phone numbers of people you may need to contact. 10. Snacks, snacks, and more snacks. 11. Protein bars and light weight drinks. 12. OTC meds DH needed. 13. Cell phone charger. 14. lap top/cell/Galaxy Tab etc... (Computer access). 15. Money, credit cards, health ins cards, etc. 16. Fanny Pack, Money belt or a little pocket on a cord that is sold for travelers could also be used for valuables.