[Saffy]

Well, I had a visit to the Doctor this morning and whilst out in town got a few bits and bobs for my Hospital visit. What did you wish you'd taken that you didn't. So far I have:

1. I Pod (even though it says not to, I have books on there)
2. Face Wipes
3. Travel Toothbrush
4. Small size toothpaste
5. Lemon scented dry hair shampoo
6. Brush and Comb, bobbles for hair so I can keep in pony tail.
7. Deoderant
8. Moisturiser
9. Lip Balm
10. Tissues
11. Slippers
12. Dressing Gown
13. Nightie x 2
14. Small change for phone
15. Reading Glasses
16. Notebook and pen
17. Towel and facecloth
18. Some nice fresh body wash
19. Medicines
20. Crutches
21. Travel clock
22. KNickers .. oops nearly forgot!

[Mark56]

You are well and truly getting prepared for your adventure in hospital for SCS surgery. There may be some differences on this side of the pond regarding hospital stays, so please take my thoughts with that perspective in mind.

11. Slippers, absolutely, although in hospital eveyone here is issued unisex hospital socks with non-skid bottoms so the feet will not slip on hospital floors.
12. Dressing Gown is good, and I from the male perspective coveted my nice roomy robe with sash to close the front, you learn why below.
13. Nighties- two issues on this side of the pond- everyone in hospital is issued a unisex hospital gown worn so the back is open to the air and humor of anyone who notices you around hospital halls. Such items are mandatory hospital garb, because doc and nurse alike can unsnap the shoulders to easily check your vital signs unless you are hooked to electronics for observation [here, nearly everyone is hooked up electronically] so nighties are discouraged. I did take pajama bottoms when I had fusion surgeries so I could be more discrete while still wearing the mandatory hospital gown.
14. Cash- Here hospital discourages cash and valuables [left my wedding ring at home] to lessen the risk that someone loses items of value.
17. Towel and washcloth- Here hospital supplies such items presumably so they have absolute control over the possibility of infectious bacteria and viruses.
19. Medicines- Here, no hospital will allow medicines to be brought in from home. Instead to manage absolute control over medicines consumed in hospital a list of your current medications is required, and if doctor concurs for hospital stay, the medicines are dispensed by the hospital pharmacy through the nurse.
20. Crutches- I use a cane since due to nerve damage I have no feeling below my knees and cannot sense the floor. Commonly, hospital wanted me to walk unaided so as to promote ambulation and a beginning to restoration of muscle activity and control.
22. Knickers- You have probably been told you will have an incision right close to the waist for the pocket which will hold the brains of your SCS. Mine is in my right hip below the waist. Even so, the area will be quite sensitive to pressure soon after surgery, SO, if you have some that have a bit of wear on them such that the waist is looser than new ones, you may find them more comfortable.

Your list is quite complete, and with your iPod, as you mentioned, you will have reading material. Do realise as well that you may tend toward drowsiness for the first day or so and that iPod will not receive much use. In hospital, I tended each time to be a "let's get up and walk" kind of patient, because the sooner I demonstrated I was fit, I could go home. May your stay in hospital be blessed with great care, enough visitors to satisfy your craving for company, and flowers to brighten your room [I was singularly amazed at the flowers which well wishers sent to the room]!

All will be well,
Prayin,
Mark56ZZ

I think I would also put on there a mobile phone!! just in case you get bored with your ipod and want to chat to your loved ones at home.


Mark here in Ireland we also use the gowns like you mentioned. They give us those when we are going to theatre for our operations. Then after all that is over you are then asked if you would like to change into your own attire. Which most people do.

In relation to the medication. On admission to the ward, the admission nurse comes to take all your particulars. And like that she lists down all the medication which you require, when they are taken and how often. If you do bring some in with you, they are taken off you and put in your hospital drawer which only the nurse/doctors have access to eg. your notes, medication etc. Then when the nurse is doing her medication round she will administer those that you are using plus any that the hospital doctors have prescribed post surgery.

Interesting to read about bringing in towels etc. Years ago the hospital always supplied these to the patients. There was no necessity for the patient to bring them with them. But nowadays, I suppose due to cutbacks etc, the patient brings them in themselves. If however, someone forgets their towels, then of course they would give them some to use.
It would make sense to supply the towels as you say due to infections, considering they change the bedclothes every day.

Amazing the difference in different countries isnt it. Also there is a big difference here if you go private or public. I am private as I pay Medical Insurance and the service would be somewhat different to the public hospital, but overall, the same standards apply.

[irljenn]

Dry Shampoo!! so when they wont let you wash your hair at least a small can of this dry shampoo can stop your hair looking greasy!!

sorry saffy just saw it as item number 4 on ur list so ur all sorted!! best of luck with the op and i hope you have lots of pain free or managed ahead!