Any sugestions for a week long hospital stay kit?

[Purple_Mutant]

In December I am going to have to spend a week in the hospital after a surgery. Anyone have any suggestions for what I should bring? Here are some things I have in mind so far.

• Comfortable clothes to wear when I leave
• Vegan protein bars. The hospital does offer vegan food. But I want to bring something just in case I don't like what they have to offer.
• Utensils. I am REALLY picky about what I eat with. I use chop sticks and Chinese spoons exclusively. I would hate to have an autistic meltdown because of the wrong utensils. Along with that, a water bottle and cup. Again it comes down to being a picky autistic. I would rather drink out of my own stuff than what they provide. Heck might as well bring my X bowl or squishy bowl just in case.
• Entertainment. Tablet, cell phone, blue tooth headset and spare headphones. Between netflix, youtube, social media, and some games I should be fine. I imagine that much of the time I will be doped up on morphine and asleep. Since I might not be up for doing much some audio books would be good too. I am also thinking of bringing an HT. Hitting up a local repeater would give me something to do. Does anyone by chance know if 2 meter RF will interfere with any of the hospital equipment? I would like to think not since they use HT's in hospitals. Not to mention that hospitals a popular places to put ham radio repeaters.
• Some basic survival items. Although hospitals are equipped to deal with disasters; I would still want to bring a flashlight and pocket knife at a minimum. I always EDC at least a flashlight and pocket knife; so I would feel weird without them.
• USB charger, USB battery, Two USB cables.
• My own pillow.
• Ear plugs.
• Sleep Mask.
• Items to make me feel like myself. So far I am thinking lipstick.
• Wet wipes.

That's what I can think of so far. Anyone have any other suggestions? I am going to keep adding to the list as I come up with things and people make suggestions. That way I can refer back to this list when it's time to pack.

[Chicago Zombie]

Don't forget your phone/tablet charger!
And possibly an extension cord or some kind of extra battery charger.

[fred.greek]

Does the patient area of the hospital have wifi?

Chargers. My own toothbrush, shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc. Notepad & pens.
Underwear. Books? Sandals. My own drugs, prescription and OTC, vitamins.

[teotwaki]

Your own favorite pillow?

[Purple_Mutant]

Don't forget your phone/tablet charger!
And possibly an extension cord or some kind of extra battery charger.

YES! It would SUCK if I forgot my charger. That's getting added to the list under cellphone/tablet. Thankfully my phone, tablet, blue tooth headset, and tactical flashlight (Thrunite TC12 V2) all recharge via built in micro USB ports. So an external battery charger wont be needed. I just need a USB charger and USB cable.

[Purple_Mutant]

Does the patient area of the hospital have wifi?

Chargers. My own toothbrush, shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc. Notepad & pens.
Underwear. Books? Sandals. My own drugs, prescription and OTC, vitamins.

As far as I know they do have wifi. I know other Kaiser facilities have wifi. So I would assume the hospital does too. Yes I will need to bring my prescription meds with me. Personal hygiene stuff is a good idea. I take a daily multi vitamin. So I will make sure to pack that. Sandals are a good idea. At some point they are going to make me get up and walk around. So comfortable and easy to put on footwear is a must. I might just pick up a pair of flip flops or something since those are easy to slip in to. I am not going to bother with books since I have a reading disability and rarely sit down to read a book. But audio books might be worth looking into. I could just pop one of those on and lay back.

[Purple_Mutant]

Your own favorite pillow?

Yes a pillow might not be a bad idea.

[majorhavoc]

Ear plugs. The foam kind that you roll between your fingers and then quickly insert into your ear canal where they expand to make a nice, comfy fit.

You can thank me now or you can thank me in December, but trust me on this.

[teotwaki]

maybe a sleep mask if there is too much ambient light

[taipan821]

Take along your preferred condiments and some sweets/chocolate

eating bland food can get on the nerves

[Purple_Mutant]

Ear plugs. The foam kind that you roll between your fingers and then quickly insert into your ear canal where they expand to make a nice, comfy fit.

You can thank me now or you can thank me in December, but trust me on this.

YES! I EDC hearing protection since I am autistic and have auditory sensitivities. I will have to make sure to include some foam ear plugs.

[Purple_Mutant]

maybe a sleep mask if there is too much ambient light

I have never used a sleep mask. But the one you posted is in the right color. So I might pick one up.

[wee drop o' bush]

When I broke my leg 2 years ago I had a weeks stay in hospital; I had no hospital bag ready just in case, so my frazzled husband had the task of quickly gathering any belongings that I needed.
I absolutely recommend a sleep mask, it helped me ‘switch off’ and I was glad of mine.
Hospitals are always noisy and even at night there is some lighting.
Also wet wipes & no rinse shampoo to help you keep fresh, if like me you were unable to shower.
I asked for my favourite perfume, as its smell helped me feel more like myself...however once I was out of hospital I no longer wanted to wear it, so do bear that in mind.
Bring water or something to drink with you.
Best wishes

[olateone]

Bring a "Do Not Disturb" sign for the door knob.

[mantis]

I feel for you. I just spent 10 days in hospital back in the spring. Your list is good - I would echo the advice of others and suggest bringing your own hygiene products - soap, shampoo, deodorant, tooth brush and shaving kit.

[Purple_Mutant]

When I broke my leg 2 years ago I had a weeks stay in hospital; I had no hospital bag ready just in case, so my frazzled husband had the task of quickly gathering any belongings that I needed.
I absolutely recommend a sleep mask, it helped me ‘switch off’ and I was glad of mine.
Hospitals are always noisy and even at night there is some lighting.
Also wet wipes & no rinse shampoo to help you keep fresh, if like me you were unable to shower.
I asked for my favourite perfume, as its smell helped me feel more like myself...however once I was out of hospital I no longer wanted to wear it, so do bear that in mind.
Bring water or something to drink with you.
Best wishes

Looks like I will be picking up a sleep mask. I have never used one; but I might as well get one just in case. Wet wipes are a good idea too. Although I can deal with a week of no showering. In the realm of making me feel more like myself some makeup might be in order. I would probably not bring much; just some lipstick. I can't imagine doing a full face of makeup from a hospital bed while I am in pain and doped up on morphine.

[teotwaki]

maybe a sleep mask if there is too much ambient light

I have never used a sleep mask. But the one you posted is in the right color. So I might pick one up.

Color was just a wild guess on my part

[emclean]

And possibly an extension cord or some kind of extra battery charger.

they should not allow you to use an extension cord in the hospital, and power strips should have a UL 60601 rating. [per CMS regulations]

they will have wet wipes there, and likely warmed ones, just ask your nurse for them.
same for the no rinse shampoo.

you might be able to get replacement ear plugs, just nicely ask the nurse to call audiology or maintenance for a set.

you are likely to get a visit from the unit manager your first day there (and at the facility I work at, every day that the manager is there), ask them to write their number to be written on the white board (as well as keeping it somewhere that it cant be easily erased). if an issue comes up, use it sooner rather than later.

[Vallyn]

If you've got longer hair, favorite brush/comb and a way to secure your hair. I've heard horror stories from people whose hair wasn't contained and got mats in it during extended hospital stays.

[mantis]

Depending on your room accommodations, ear plugs might not be a bad idea. If you have private room coverage, you'll be fine but if you are in a room with two or three other patients, expect a lot of noise. Nurses coming and going all night, even patients themselves making noise.

[VXMerlinXV]

Pillow for sure, maybe a favorite blanket as well.
I would bring an assortment of food, not just vegan bars. The vegan offerings at some hospitals are... lacking.
A few changes of clothes, maybe some decent toilet paper if you want. I would think about a towel as well.

[teotwaki]

Purple_Mutant: How are you doing?

[CG]

Something to do with your hands. Sewing, knit, crochet, coloring, chain mail, knot-tying, etc.

[Best]

Pillow for sure, maybe a favorite blanket as well.
I would bring an assortment of food, not just vegan bars. The vegan offerings at some hospitals are... lacking.
A few changes of clothes, maybe some decent toilet paper if you want. I would think about a towel as well.

they should not allow you to use an extension cord in the hospital, and power strips should have a UL 60601 rating. [per CMS regulations]

You don't need any wet wipes? Or they are going to have some there! May be yes and likely warmed ones.
Anyway, your list is good - I would echo the advice of others with an exception of the pillow and suggest bringing your own hygiene products - soap, shampoo, deodorant, tooth brush and shaving kit. I highly recommend a king sized pillow from https://hovement.com/best-king-size-pillows/. I was once in a similar situation and it proved quite handy.I feel for you but I'm confident that you'll get through it successfully.