Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 I really appreciated my mp3 player with a cd of relaxing music. Allowed me to sleep by blocking out the hospital noise. OH, and eye cover to block out the light. I don't sleep well the best of times and they help. I sent hubby out to buy me a little clock - I don't wear a watch and use my mobile phone for the time, but the hospitals don't like mobiles in the ward. I'll think of more as soon as I post this !! LOL Aussie Margaret RTHR 1990 revised 2004 What to bring What items did you all bring to the hospital? Tami Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 I brought all kinds of stuff to "keep me busy," like books and a journal to write in...didn't open either of them. I brought a cute lightweight robe, and slippers for my walks around the hospital wing...didn't wear either of them. I brought a bag full of toiletries like Dove soap and leave-in conditioner, etc....didn't crack open any of them. I even brought my own pillow from home, which everybody seemed to think was odd. I did use that, but it wasn't necessary what so ever. I think the only stuff that I used out of my suitcase was my toothbrush, toothpaste and face moisterizer. Keeping busy, it turned out, wasn't something I needed to do. It seemed like the nurses popped in all the time, plus the physical therapist, occupational therapist, then in between those it'd be time for the meals, or to try and get a spongebath or something in there. When you do feel like you have a moment to just "be" it's a little hard to focus on books. I just watched tv. A magazine might be something to consider, cause it's nothing that requires concentration and it's easy to pick up or put down whenever need be (without having to get to the end of a chapter.) The robe was more trouble than it was worth, So I just wore my hospital gown. They didn't want me using my cute slippers, for fear of stumbling in them, so I just wore the skid-proof socks they gave me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 I brought my toothbrush which they furnished anyhow. slippers which I never used as they put those little footies on me every time they got me up. Don't bring PJ's as the sleeves interfere with your IV. I brought undies but they wouldn't let me wear em (catheter) . Actually I didn't need anything and really didn't care as I was drugged enough to be pain free but not give a hoot about much else. The drugs they give you pretty much block out any worries you have while you're in the hospital at least it did me. Sherry What to bring What items did you all bring to the hospital? Tami Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 U.S hospitals all have large clocks on the wall in every room facing the bed. At least everyone I've been in has and that is a lot ( Sherry What to bringWhat items did you all bring to the hospital?TamiSend instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 In a message dated 8/30/2006 7:41:21 AM Eastern Standard Time, tamimh@... writes: What items did you all bring to the hospital? I brought some personal toiletries...toothbrush, hairbruse, toothpaste.....didn't need the shampoo as i couldn't take a shower....I also brought some loose fitting shorts and t-shirts so th OT's could help me dress myself....I brought books to read, but found i couldn't concentrate on reading (I guess cause of the pain drugs).....mostly I watched TV and slept.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Wow, you would get a shock coming into an Aussie Hospital. Toothbrush, soap, basically everything you will use of a personal nature you have to supply yourself. I've even had to take my own medication when it was something a little out of the ordinary. Oh Well - that is life. Aussie Margaret RTHR 1990 revised 2004 Re: What to bring I brought my toothbrush which they furnished anyhow. slippers which I never used as they put those little footies on me every time they got me up. Don't bring PJ's as the sleeves interfere with your IV. I brought undies but they wouldn't let me wear em (catheter) . Actually I didn't need anything and really didn't care as I was drugged enough to be pain free but not give a hoot about much else. The drugs they give you pretty much block out any worries you have while you're in the hospital at least it did me. Sherry Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 It's one of the reasons medical costs here in the US are sky high as are insurance rates. Sherry Re: What to bringI brought my toothbrush which they furnished anyhow. slippers which I never used as they putthose little footies on me every time they got me up.Don't bring PJ's as the sleeves interfere with yourIV. I brought undies but they wouldn't let me wearem (catheter) . Actually I didn't need anything andreally didn't care as I was drugged enough to bepain free but not give a hoot about much else. Thedrugs they give you pretty much block out any worriesyou have while you're in the hospital at least it didme.SherrySend instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Margaret, while it may seem as if certain personal supplies are provided by the hospital, it all goes on your bill, or gets charged to Medicare if you are over 65. There was no clock on the wall in my room, I did not get a toothbrush and had to bring my own medication that was turned over to the nursing staff for them to dose me. Weird, huh? Arianne > > Wow, you would get a shock coming into an Aussie Hospital. > > Toothbrush, soap, basically everything you will use of a personal nature you > have to supply yourself. I've even had to take my own medication when it > was something a little out of the ordinary. > > Oh Well - that is life. > > Aussie Margaret > RTHR 1990 revised 2004 > > Re: What to bring > > > I brought my toothbrush which they furnished anyhow. slippers which I never > used as they put > those little footies on me every time they got me up. > Don't bring PJ's as the sleeves interfere with your > IV. I brought undies but they wouldn't let me wear > em (catheter) . Actually I didn't need anything and > really didn't care as I was drugged enough to be > pain free but not give a hoot about much else. The > drugs they give you pretty much block out any worries > you have while you're in the hospital at least it did > me. > > Sherry > > > Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 I also brought all of my personal grooming aids, medications, magazines and loose fitting clothing. Arianne > > > In a message dated 8/30/2006 7:41:21 AM Eastern Standard Time, > tamimh@... writes: > > What items did you all bring to the hospital? > > > > I brought some personal toiletries...toothbrush, hairbruse, > toothpaste.....didn't need the shampoo as i couldn't take a shower....I also brought some > loose fitting shorts and t-shirts so th OT's could help me dress myself....I > brought books to read, but found i couldn't concentrate on reading (I guess > cause of the pain drugs).....mostly I watched TV and slept.... > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Hi Tami, I brought a lot of things to the hospital for my TKR...Most of them were not needed...What were needed were.... 1. A smile & friendly attitude toward all the 'Nursing Staff'..The Nurses, Male & Female, are the one's who'll be taking care of you & from my experience, The Nurses really do care about your comfort...So give them a smile, even though you might be in pain, & tell them what hurts(a lot of things may hurt for a few days).... 2. Your OS's phone #.....This is really important...The Nurses, & even the Doctors taking care of you will sometimes need your OS's permission to change a prescrition....In my case, the prescription was for a 'Foley',,,The Foley didn't work, but the Nurses needed to call my OS for permission to remove it...Oh what a relief it was....:-) 3. Magazines...Anything with short articles...I had a book of Sudoku puzzles.....You will have a lot of boredom for the few days you're in the hospital & a short attention span... 4. Humility & Dignity....Your comfort will be very important, & the Nursing staff will understand whether you ask to be assisted to the bathroom, or for a bedpan....Just tell them what you need!!With your head held high! 5. Shower/bath the night before surgery...Treat/pamper yourself with bubbles... 6. Oh, all right,,,,getting back to your original question...A freshly laundered set of top & bottem clothing for the trip home. A loose fitting top & comfortable bottems(I bought a pair of sweat pants, Pre-Op, & cut them off above knee level...I was very stylish when I finally checked out.... & it felt great!) 7. Pain & rehab will come later,,, & hopefully, you will have no regrets,,,I certainly don't....But girl-o-boy, did I learn a few lessons in humility & how to speak up!...Hope you learn the same! Bob > > What items did you all bring to the hospital? > > Tami > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Possibly some hospitals are cutting back on expenses as much as possible as they are forced to give free medical care to a lot of people. Sherry Re: What to bring> > > I brought my toothbrush which they furnished anyhow. slippers which I never > used as they put> those little footies on me every time they got me up.> Don't bring PJ's as the sleeves interfere with your> IV. I brought undies but they wouldn't let me wear> em (catheter) . Actually I didn't need anything and> really didn't care as I was drugged enough to be> pain free but not give a hoot about much else. The> drugs they give you pretty much block out any worries> you have while you're in the hospital at least it did> me.> > Sherry> > > Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Excellent advice, Bob. You are/were a very thoughtful patient and I certainly enjoy reading your posts here. Laneknow_jack <know_jack@...> wrote: Hi Tami,I brought a lot of things to the hospital for my TKR...Most of them were not needed...What were needed were....1. A smile & friendly attitude toward all the 'Nursing Staff'..The Nurses, Male & Female, are the one's who'll be taking care of you & from my experience, The Nurses really do care about your comfort...So give them a smile, even though you might be in pain, & tell them what hurts(a lot of things may hurt for a few days)....2. Your OS's phone #.....This is really important...The Nurses, & even the Doctors taking care of you will sometimes need your OS's permission to change a prescrition....In my case, the prescription was for a 'Foley',,,The Foley didn't work, but the Nurses needed to call my OS for permission to remove it...Oh what a relief it was....:-)3. Magazines...Anything with short articles...I had a book of Sudoku puzzles.....You will have a lot of boredom for the few days you're in the hospital & a short attention span...4. Humility & Dignity....Your comfort will be very important, & the Nursing staff will understand whether you ask to be assisted to the bathroom, or for a bedpan....Just tell them what you need!!With your head held high!5. Shower/bath the night before surgery...Treat/pamper yourself with bubbles...6. Oh, all right,,,,getting back to your original question...A freshly laundered set of top & bottem clothing for the trip home.A loose fitting top & comfortable bottems(I bought a pair of sweat pants, Pre-Op, & cut them off above knee level...I was very stylish when I finally checked out.... & it felt great!)7. Pain & rehab will come later,,, & hopefully, you will have no regrets,,,I certainly don't....But girl-o-boy, did I learn a few lessons in humility & how to speak up!...Hope you learn the same!Bob >> What items did you all bring to the hospital?> > Tami> Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Based on my own personal TKR experience 8 weeks ago, the most important thing to bring to the hospital is all your daily meds & vitamins. Don't trust that the hospital pharmacy will have the same drugs you use and you don't want to subject yourself to substitute meds when you are already laid low. Get the surgeon to write an order than you take your own home meds. Also very important is to bring a list of all your daily meds, including strength and dosage, any OTC stuff you take (including vitamins), plus add any drugs or food you are allergic to, and all your diagnoses. You will be under the influence and they need to know. Extra copies (for pharmacist, dietician, etc) are helpful. Other items to bring: 1. your own preferred toothbrush, toothpaste, rinse 2. hairbrush, comb, mirror 3. slippers or shoes with backs but no straps that have non-skid soles for walking up and down the corrider (you'll have to do it) 4. pretty knee length robe to cover your skimpy hospital gown while walking up and down the corrider (might as well look as good as possible) 5. phone numbers of your family & friends and all your doctors 6. notebook, pen, calender, or organizer. They think you keep everything they tell you in your head. Plus you want to write down when you took your meds (yours or theirs) so you know when to get more 7. a friend or family member to handle the hassles and help you when the nurses are busy 8. a book or magazine on the off chance your brain will be unscrambled enough to read it Robbie > > What items did you all bring to the hospital? > > Tami > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 The big reason is that health insurance was allowed to go for-profit. Ann Re: What to bringI brought my toothbrush which they furnished anyhow. slippers which I never used as they putthose little footies on me every time they got me up.Don't bring PJ's as the sleeves interfere with yourIV. I brought undies but they wouldn't let me wearem (catheter) . Actually I didn't need anything andreally didn't care as I was drugged enough to bepain free but not give a hoot about much else. Thedrugs they give you pretty much block out any worriesyou have while you're in the hospital at least it didme.SherrySend instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 When I was in the hosp. after my fall off the ladder, I took all my meds with me, but they insisted that I be "furnished" them from the hospital's pharmacy. And I'll bet they charged about 10 times what my insurance pays when I get them from my mail-order pharmacy. Ann Re: What to bring> > > I brought my toothbrush which they furnished anyhow. slippers which I never > used as they put> those little footies on me every time they got me up.> Don't bring PJ's as the sleeves interfere with your> IV. I brought undies but they wouldn't let me wear> em (catheter) . Actually I didn't need anything and> really didn't care as I was drugged enough to be> pain free but not give a hoot about much else. The> drugs they give you pretty much block out any worries> you have while you're in the hospital at least it did> me.> > Sherry> > > Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 In a message dated 8/30/2006 6:41:22 A.M. Central Standard Time, tamimh@... writes: What items did you all bring to the hospital? Tami I brought some snacks, some newspapers to read, my meds. They will give you a sock puller oner. I had one from my back surgery and a reacher and I also had a butt wiper. Cool thing but I didn't need it for my knees. Jammies and slippers, but I didn't wear the jammies. Clothes to wear home, like sweats or something. maybe some underwear. I think I wore some after about 2 days. They have toothpaste, soap, washcloths, lotion, things like that. I brought some hand sanitizer too. Shoes for going home. I can't think of anything else right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 In a message dated 8/30/2006 11:31:23 A.M. Central Standard Time, blueopal@... writes: U.S hospitals all have large clocks on the wall in every room facing the bed. At least everyone I've been in has and that is a lot ( Sherry Yep, they have the clock and everyone has their own TV with the sound right on the controls by your bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Sherry: I wish it were true about the cost. Truth is it cost so much because we have been put to sleep by government, courts and insurance companies. I wish we were forced to pay what the medical community wanted to charge. You would see the price drop overnight. There is no free market in the medical world in the US at all. That is why it cost so much and will continue to go up because there is no counter to the price increases. Now I will get of my box and let the thread continue. BWT I pay around a morgage payment per month for my medical insurance. Don > > It's one of the reasons medical costs here in the US > are sky high as are insurance rates. > > Sherry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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