-
Shampoo,
toothbrush/paste, pads/tampons, deodorant, hand mirror, disposable
razors (not electric), shaving cream, extra pair of glasses,
liquid soap, makeup, mouthwash.
-
Always
carry your preferred brand of shampoo/conditioner...the stuff
from the hospitals DOES NOT leave your hair clean an manageable,
and generally smells bad. Take a toothbrush, and paste if you
have a favorite flavor/brand. Hospitals generally carry only
one type of toothbrush: Medium hard for adults, and soft for
kids. At my txp center they checked to see if you brush your
teeth and gums.
-
Sundries:
Perfumes, colognes: Leave at home! Just some basic underarm
deodorant. You WILL be able to use scents by the ton once you
get home, but they are hell on the folk waiting in hosp for
txp. (I would start coughing from “GALLON” brand
perfume/cologne within 25 feet of the person wearing it.)
-
Treaded
slippers....those hallways are slippery. Your OWN slippers are
best!
-
Good
thick or sweat socks (especially if you’re prone to cold
feet)
-
Underwear
& bring your most comfortable (boxer shorts instead of BVDs!!
-
Special
pair of underwear, boxer style?, open on the side with Velcro
closures
-
Robe
or house coat, comfortable, easy to get in/out of
-
PJs
that are comfortable, big sleeves for easy pull up for blood
draws (not binding as it’ll rub the chest tubes)
-
Sweat
pants with draw string
-
House
dresses with a zipper!
-
Don’t
bring clothing, PJs, robes that slip over your head&it may
not be possible to raise your arms over your head for a while
this can REALLY be a problem for some folks...baggy, elastic
front-closing are good things to keep in mind!
-
Large
T-shirts for extra room so won’t bind up on your chest
tubes stitches after they’re removed.
-
Clothes:
Basic undies and so on . . . LEAVE THE T-SHIRTS at home, unless
they are the big V neck kind and it REALLY stings to catch a
pullover shirt on the staples or tubes!
-
Pack
lightly, but be flexible for seasonal adjustments.
-
Plastic
bag for dirty/used clothes
-
Empty
bag to carry all the cards, etc that you get
-
Take
your OWN pillow
-
Box
or 2 of SOFT tissue paper
-
Ear
plugs and/or dark-eye mask to help you sleep
-
Tape
recorder/CD player with headphones and tapes/CDs
-
Laptop
computer!
-
Hat,
scarf, head cover for bad hair days (you can buy a turban online
from a person that sells them for cancer, hair condition patients
. . . very stylish . . . ha! NEVER used it but I have short
hair and it looks the same clean or dirty so it was OK. BUT,
if you get sick and have some trouble, you might be glad you
HAD a coverup)
-
Curved
basin to hang your head in for hair washing in bed (they HAVE
these in the hospital sometimes)
-
Vibrating
pad or someone to give back rubs (you may get a percusser for
post-transplant use)
-
Deck
of cards, Yahtzee, Solitaire
-
Blender
-
Buy
a fan, keep it sealed in the box and have someone bring it to
ICU when you wake up. . . . I did and I was glad I did!! I almost
roasted to death in ICU and it was January! According to the
one nurse I talked to, transplant people seem to need the fan
as they get too hot in the hospital. It has to be sealed, because
you can’t have a used fan . . . germs and all. (NOTE:
Some hospitals won’t LET you use a fan in ICU, but they
allow them on the ward. In those cases, they probably won’t
NEED to be “sterile” but just clean.)
-
New
electrical fan (small plug in type) You’ll need it due
to the rooms ALWAYS stuffy and hot it seemed. Keep in box, due
to sterility practices it needs to not have been used before
(so they say). Costs less than 15.00 bucks anyway.
-
Phone
card(s)
-
Make
cheat / flash cards with yes, no, hurt, sick, scratch, nurse,
water, pain, and so on, printed on them . . . they come in handy
when you want to communicate with anyone and can’t because
of the ventilator. (See also “The ICU and Being
on the Vent.”)
-
Pack
lots of pudding and good fattening stuff, they like you to eat
things to boost your strength (NOTE: Don’t overdue this
. . . the Prednisone will kick in soon and you’ll be SORRY
you tried to “fatten up!!!”)
-
Pre-write
out all of your bills for at least one month, you never know
how long you will end up being there, and it’s better
to have it done than have to stress over it in the hospital.
Just put the date due where the stamp will go . . . have someone
send them out.
-
You’ll
be going constantly getting prepped here and there so your caregiver
will have the goodies put somewhere the transplant nurse tells
you to await your arrival later when needed. You can always
keep in trunk of car for them to get once you’re in need.
At first they’ll take care of everything . . . even your
bathroom needs. ;)
-
Roll
of scotch tape so that you can hang all the cards you get.
-
Post
on the List before you leave to go to the hospital . . . your
online “family” will want to know every detail and
be able to send you cards.
-
If
you’re planning to call people to let them know you’re
going in., just have a list with phone #s and leave it with
someone who can make the calls for you. Tell them NOT to call
until they know it’s NOT a dry run!
-
Make
several copies of a list of people with whom you’ll want
to be in contact. Include phone numbers ( home and work), address,
email.
-
Make
it easy on your caretaker(s) . . . prepare your email ahead
of time so that all they have to do is update it and send it.
-
Pack
medication you currently take into a weekly dose pill box, and
pack that into your “going to the hospital” bag,
you can replace it weekly, so the drugs remain fresh. (NOTE:
If you MOVE to your transplant area, you’ll need to take
more, just in case. If you’re planted, you won’t
NEED them, but I kept the inhalers and O2
“just in case” post-transplant . . . LOL.)
-
All
the meds you’re taking (they’ll stay in your bag,
but you may end up needing some of them, i.e., prednisone for
sure.)
-
Pens
and spiral paper/notepad.
-
I
plan on packing a second bag to be brought for my regular floor
stay, with a change of clothes to wear home.
-
I
took Carnation instant breakfast. I did not like the other breakfast
drink they tried to get me to drink (I can’t think of
the name). You need strength and this helps. The ones in the
cans are even easier.
-
File
cards and marker for more cheat cards.
-
Medication
list.
-
One
thing though that I wish I’d had was an Etch-a-sketch
and not the one that you draw with, but the one that comes with
a marker and you just have to pull a lever to erase what’s
there. It’s big and it works great.
-
Take
a couple of your favorite books, or videos, or battery-operated,
hand-held games.
-
Weekends
at a transplant center suck and you can’t go anywhere
for a while. If you can’t use the exercise equipment on
the weekends or even if you can, a light weight or 2 (5–8
lbs.) to help you keep from getting stiff and sore. Light to
moderate MOVEMENT and EXERCISE post transplant really do speed
recovery and reduce pain.
-
An
empty bag to carry all the cards, etc that you get.
-
Several
pens/pencils, I had so many of mine snached by nurses that I
just started “liberating” several back. (I took
a 10 pack of Bic pens, got home with 3.)
-
Thank-you
cards are optional and can be done at home.
-
Anything
else you can pack that is personal or comforting is a bonus.
But mind the weight. I took everything but the kitchen sink
and only needed about one-third of it.
-
You
know, you can take everything but the kitchen sink, but barring
any problems you will most likely be home in 6–10 days.
During my stay I was NOT bored. Couldn’t concentrate (high
doses of pred) to read. Spent my time yakking and watching TV.
Didn’t need half the stuff I brought. Sweat pants are
great because I couldn’t find any hospital bottoms anywhere!!
I never washed my hair while in the hospital and I am lucky
that I have dry hair, but if you have family to help you then
that’s cool.. I was alone most of the time. [My husband]
had to work, so I just didn’t bother. My center would
not allow any fans or radios or cell phones. I suppose
you could bring a battery-operated CD player or tape player
but, again, you will be surprised at the amount of stuff you
will accumulate and have to take with you when you go home so
pack light.
