What do you take into hospital, to help while on the ward?

[Gribbin]

Quite a few questions come up on here about the surgery, and recovery... but this might also help those preparing to go in... or if you are stuck in after an A&E visit, what should your relatives bring in for you?

VISITORS

Some can be hard work, you almost feel like you need to keep the conversation going, to entertain them if you like! You got so much to process in your own mind this is something you can do without. I was moved to another hospital, and it took some relatives over 2 hours to get there - added pressure to perform. I asked most to stay away, it's just too tiring... nice to chat... I found WhatsApp to be cheaper, and can cope with photos better than text... you can respond when you feel like it... normally when you cannot sleep in the middle of the night.

BOOKS

I seemed to have the attention span of a goldfish, so found reading generally hard work... as some have also said they can be heavy to hold after surgery.

TABLET/SMARTPHONE

Is a must... just remember to get some earphones... I had a chap in the next bed with boxing on a full volume. not everyone's cup of tea... and he was bigger than me so didn't want to complain!

By chance I had installed some security cameras at home, linked to an App on my phone... It was nice to see my wife drive in safely after a visit, and the normal life, like the dog going out for her evening wee before bed... nice to still feel part of things.

Chargers... phone, tablet, toothbrush, shaver...

APPS

WhatsApp to keep in touch.

Bing or Ring for home cameras... not for everyone I suppose?

BBC Sounds... podcast can be funny when you're down and can be fairly short... good for music, and news - easy to lose track of the outside world...newspapers can be a faff, and more clobber to cart about.

CLOTHING

I found a button up short sleeved shirt the best top... easy for blood pressure testing, which they do all the time... easy access for all the ecg wiring, and drains after the op... easy to get on and off.

Elasticated tracksuit bottoms... comfortable... can wear in bed if you get cold.

Heat Holders socks... also great for cold feet at night... meds still give me cold hands and feet.

CROCs are the best... doesn't matter if the get wet in the shower... also easy on and off.

Ever hopeful in the early stages, I had a going home set of clothes, but one we realised what I was in for my wife took them home... not much room in your side locker.

TOILETARIES

Take your own shower gel, toothpaste... they give you some heavy duty stuff to use just before the op... other wise it's nicer to have your own... my skin really dried out so preferred the moisturising type.

Deodorant... roll on was easier... and doesn't make you or others sneeze... Sneezing is the most discomfort, worse than coughing!

Flannel is handy when you cannot go in the shower... get your other half to go in the cubicle to help you wash... they can reach bits you cannot!... including your hair.

Hair brush/comb, electric shaver.

I found an electric toothbrush easier with a sore chest wound?

Tooth picks, floss harps are good... nice to feel clean.

Nail/toenail clippers... do this before you go in, while you can still reach... you'll need help later on!

BAGS

I had a zip up sports bag at first. Got so frustrated as I could never find anything. Good old Bag for life from the supermarket... hessian ones 'rustle' less when your trying to find a phone charger at 3am!... have one for dirty, and one for clean so you can swap on your visits.

I was constantly changing wards and beds, even hospitals! so it's easy to chuck everything in a big bag.

FOOD

What shall we take in... oh yes grapes... you can only eat so many!

One younger lad hated the hospital food so had deliveries, pizza, KFC you name it... the smell turned my stomach to be fair, but most things are possible... can even bribe a porter to get you a bacon roll from the canteen!

Generally the food wasn't bad... school dinners fare... surprisingly not to most healthy, but you get choices.

Lovely ladies with the tea trolley, and biscuits too!... nice hot chocolate before bed.

Jugs of water are always there, even iced when it got hot. some folks had bottles of cordial, but I was happy with just water.

That's my starter for 10... it will be interesting to hear what others found helped their stay... might help those preparing to go in too.👍😊

[RufusScamp]

Magazines and puzzle books are better than heavy books. I used my kindle a lot. A wide assortment of books, and some web browsing. It's nice to have visitors, but 30 mins is enough when you aren't feeling 100%.

That's a good and comprehensive list. It's important to consider what you will be able to wear with limited movement.

[Gribbin in reply to RufusScamp]

Good one I forgot the crossword book... importantly with the answers at the back!...some have also said colouring books help pass the time without too much brain effort.

[jeanjeannie50]

A well thought out list Gribbin.

I would just add several pairs of pants, are you going to keep the same pair on for your whole hospital visit

Nighties, lightweight dressing gown.

A bar of Cadburys milk chocolate (if all visitors bring one I'll be forever grateful and very glad to see you). Have never been ill enough not to eat them. A large bottle of water (can't help but wonder how clean those plastic jugs they give you in hospital are).

[Gribbin in reply to jeanjeannie50]

You can't have too may pairs of pants, I quite agree.😉

[weymouth321 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Jugs , lids and glasses , mugs are put through the Ward Miele dishwasher , everything else goes through the main kitchen industrial conveyor belt dishwasher that is regularly serviced

[Hidden]

It's horses for courses with me depending why I'm in hospital.

Following five non-surgical admissions covering forty days since April 22, I have something of a well rehearsed routine in place.

Essentials are straightforward enough, T-Shirts and Shorts, Trainers, my own Towels, Toiletries etc, sweets, drinks, Trainers, Tablet and Smartphone, Ear-Buds, Debit Card for shops and restaurant. Bacon/Sausage Sarnies brought in. My wife replenishes essentials every couple of days so I'm well looked after.

I tend to go for a walk each day and exercise when able depending on being in a single room or multi bay ward. I try to avoid boredom and make the best of the situation.

For Surgical admissions, of which I've had a fair few, I just do as I'm told and accept graciously anything that comes my way.

[marypw]

Ear plugs for nighttime.

[Gribbin in reply to marypw]

So true... even if you want a snooze in the daytime, with all the machinery beeping all the time...

Maybe one of those eye masks they give you on long haul flights... I remember having one with a sticker set, that included 'wake up for meals'😊

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Gribbin]

You've just reminded me, I always take ear plugs and a mask to wear in hospital at night. Take them if going to stay in a hotel too. Once I forgot my mask so used the belt from my black dressing gown over my eyes. Once I said goodnight to all in the ward, made them laugh about my belt mask, but I didn't care, it was fun!

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Excellent list.I am in hospital at least once a year for about a week. 17 admissions so far!

I take in lots of T shirts and shorts, enough clean pants to last at least a week, socks, flip-flops.

I wear a soft sports bra. All the usual toiletries, hair bands.

Dry hair shampoo as I can't shower until my IV cannulas come out.....I need 3 in at once.

Cardigan.

Vaseline for my lips.

Snacks of nuts and dried fruit.

I ask my visitors to bring me fruit.

Phone charger with an extra long cable so it reaches the sockets easily.

Scarf to wrap around my eyes and sunglasses as I am very sensitive to light and noise.

Also noise cancelling head phones expensive but essential to cut out the noise.

Moisturiser my heels always get so dry.

I listen to podcasts and music, I can't read because of my photophobia.

I take all my medications in a box as I am allowed to give my own medication.

I only have one visitor a day, that's enough for me, as in the beginning I am in alot of pain.

I keep in touch by Whatsapp with my family who send me daily pictures of my dog.

I have my pink hospital bag always packed and ready to go, along with my admission plan.

[Heyjude31]

Lovely helpful post. 👏👏

[Munkyboy]

Think you pretty much nailed it there. Only thing to add is the streaming apps of your choice on your phone/tablet. There's a plethora of them but essential with headphones when you can't sleep at night and can't focus to read. Really good point about visitors.

[BobbyB1962]

Great list 👍The only thing I'd add is to make sure you've got a long phone charger cable. Mine was about 1m I think and not long enough to comfortably reach the socket from my hospital bed! 🙄🤣

[Hrty]

Meds books, headphones ( the ones the hospital give you are hopeless) Clean clothes (shorts, pants, t shirts, light fleece, pj bottoms, more pants), earplugs (although don't do what I did and ram them in too far and end up having your ears dewaxed), washbag, crosswords and phone charger(luckily the tv/radio screens have usb sockets).Don't bother with food as the hospital grub is ok.

Oh and plenty of patience for all the waiting around.

[Digger0]

Small A5ish puzzle books, Kobo with lots of (free) books on it, ear phones, chargers, iPad. Spare nickers!!!

[Nuttyshirlz]

Charger wet wipes headphones or AirPods eye mask hairbrush and if anything like when I was in earplugs lady next to me boy could she snore lol

[Silvertail]

Wow what a lot. I cannot do without my iPad, my phone and chargers, perhaps a book. TVs above the bed are already there. Who said technology was only for the young? 😊

[rogerctyler]

A phone etc are all very well if you have a Wi-Fi connection. Unfortunately, in my experience of many times in hospital, this has never been the case for me. Not even a phone connection! So this gives an even bigger sense of isolation. I wish my hospital would sort this out as I’m sure I’m not the only one who is upset by this.

[ILowe in reply to rogerctyler]

Wifi even for a phone message. Yep, that can be a problem. It has something to do with the fact that wards are often in the center of the building. I try to get to an open window. I try to create an aerial by leaving in the charger cable. I am not sure if that is right.

In my hospital bag I have printed instructions for tethering. I take an old laptop to hospital, and I noticed others were happily browsing the web, but not my old computer, and tethering solved the problem.

[Bingo88]

Usually just took underwear and vest tops for on the ward. Because its usually warm anyway. Shorts to wear to be comfortable .usually walking around if possible. I hate just lying in bed unless I am ill. Probably take a book or some magazines and phone and charger and toiletries. Brian

[Still_Breathing]

You also need a 'sense of humour' ......

[Thanksnhs]

I was in and out quite a lot so I took my firestick as the hospital had limited channels, kindl, laptop and associated chargers. The usual toiletries, vaseline is a must for lipsI bought harem pants cheap from Morrisons they were brilliant, baggy and very comfortable, jammies t.shirts and tops, I also took my hairdryer shampoo and conditioner. This bit the ladies will laugh 😂 In the early hours I got wakened by the nurses to say they thought they had a suitable heart, all I could think about was that I hadn't shaved my legs, oh the shame 😅 I had visions of the surgeon making comments about it, although I would like to think he might have been a bit busy for that. The heart was not a match but I made sure everything was done for the next time 👍 char

[Harefieldfan]

Thanks Gribbin. A charger is absolutely essential!

[Wilfy28]

Our library has an app where you download audio books for free (libby) that was great for helping me sleep or just not listen to everything around me. Got hubby to fight off some visitors who were insistent on coming just after a procedure when i knew I'd need to rest!

[Ramilia in reply to Wilfy28]

Just to add re Libby, it's widely available. All you need is to download the app, find your library on the list, and then sign up via your own library card. Books and audio books are available, and the app has good filters so that you don't need to search through reams of stuff to find something you want.

[Debtyd]

I always take my colouring book{or more like adults fine details doodle colouring} and gel pens lmao...its so relaxing and takes my mind off of why I'm there in the first place.i even sent my neighbour a whole load of pencils and adult colouring pads,she loved it ....🥰.x.Deb.x

[ILowe]

I plan to take a self inflating camping mat next time I go to A&E or similar such as a "Medical Emergency Assessment Unit". In my condition I sleep at least 12 hours per day. I cannot tolerate the recliner beds. Last time I just lay down on the floor, and when staff objected pleaded for them to come back in 30 minutes. Beds on a ward are allocated at 1-2am in my local hospital.

[serenfach]

A fine mist water spray aerosol - a quick woosh over your face feels lovely in the dry air.

A pillow - hospital was short of them. Mark it with your name or it will go walkabout.

Sucky sweets to help your mouth not get too dry.

[Jetcat]

good list.👍

[Catkin-blake]

Your own pillow from home; setup and use your mobile phone as a personal hotspot to access the internet with iPads and tablets . That’s how i survived in hospital oh and only have visitors for 30 mins max at a time

[Ramilia]

If you are not keen on shower gel/liquid soap, take in a bar of your favourite soap.

[Gribbin]

It's surprising how different hospitals are, as in what's supplied... I appreciate the difference in the age of the buildings regarding WiFi, air con and the like...

In one hospital I was given my own packet of wet wipes, tissues... but the aircon was set too low and needed an agreement from the board of directors (joke!) to be adjusted, and they never had enough blankets - I was so glad I was able to keep the extra blanket and pillow I came with from the ambulance.

On one ward the tea and biscuit trolley was free for all, including visitors... but we got told off for helping ourselves after the move🤦‍♀️

None of my wards had TV or headphones on offer... although there was a day room you could watch TV in... but my movements were limited by the ecg monitor.

[Yumz199725]

Bit of a late comer to this post! You have mentioned some great stuff. I remember when I was in hospital for 2 weeks I wasn't really up to much except trying of breathe and stay awake but when I was feeling better I coloured in my colouring book and tried to eat with out falling asleep 😅😬😂. I also brought in my own pillow and blanket really helped and head phones I learnt that the hard way! 💔😢 I was on what they call the quiet ward and your weren't allowed to make much noise and for me and my family that was hard 🤭. I definitely would bring in more clothes and pj's for next time.