Charging cords for phone and/or IPad – long cords, not short. It’s a long way from the wall where the outlet is to your bedside. If you don’t bring cords your devices will need to be charged at the nurses station and then you’ll have to call them all the time to bring them to you.
Toothpicks and dental floss
A small back scratcher – oh, how I wanted the one that Becky gave me that fits in my purse.
Lip balm – dry air and the intubation tore my lips up – very painful.
My own handled insulated cup.
Imagine you’re laying in bed after surgery, weak and thirsty and the nurse brings you a giant styrofoam tumbler of water. First of all your hand is weak and you can’t get ahold of it and second you’re laying in bed. By the time you tip that huge cup to your lips you’ve drowned yourself. Ask me how I know. With the handled mug I could grasp it and control it to my mouth.
A notebook to write in – everything I’m telling you here was written down in my notebook otherwise I might have forgotten all these details.
Slides for shoes. This is what they’ll give you – slipper socks. and they think you’ll feel steady walking on the slick floor. Not hardly.
These are easy on and easy off and I’m very comfortable walking in them.
Your own nightgown and robe. If I had known I’d be there for so many days I’d have taken several gowns – as it was they let me wear my one gown without any showers for about 6 days – no one even suggested a shower and I had so many IV s in my arms I didn’t think it was even possible – but I found out it was.
My own panties. Hospital panties are awful and I took lots of panties – just in case – and I had enough for clean panties every day. Whew!
I walked away on my own power – actually several blocks (anything to get out of there) but if you think you’ll need a walker or cane when you leave, take your own or you might have to buy them again. I didn’t even wait for a wheelchair – I saw Becky coming down the hall and met her in the hallway.
More observations:
Nurses should not be allowed to wear heavy perfumes – they all wore something different and I was already nauseous with a tube down my nose. Admin should be stressing this – the people are sick – they can’t stand that perfume!
The nurses station right outside my room was filled with raucous laughing and talking all night long – they obviously didn’t have anything to do and whenever I was taken for a walk, they were all looking at their phones.
If I was chilly and asked them to turn up the heat they must have turned it up 5-10 degrees because then I was throwing off all the blankets. One or two degrees would have been sufficient.
And then there was the two nurses – one gal made me take my huge pills in applesauce and I gagged. When she brought the pills the next time I said I couldn’t take them right then and I refused the applesauce – I’d have to swallow one at a time. That’s when she told me I had to and I refused. I threatened to go to the nurses station and ask for the head nurse so she left. She came in with another person – who knows who she was? She could have been the housekeeper for all I knew. She said she had to protect her staff and if I didn’t cooperate she said “you won’t like what we do to you”. So I asked what she’d do to me and she said she’d call psych. Think about it – how would YOU convince the psych department you were in your right mind?
This was the week before Thanksgiving and food of all kinds was what was featured on TV nearly round the clock – and I couldn’t eat anything! Torture. I made a grocery list in my notebook – ha!
I did get to watch the very first episode of Seinfeld when they decided to create a show about nothing – how fun was that!!
I dreamed about taking giant swallows of cold water. Through the weekend when I had the nose tube in I couldn’t have anything to drink but the two young nurses on duty were willing to bring me cups of ice chips which I downed one right after another. On Monday morning they got in big trouble with my doctor who said they put as much into me as the drain had taken out which meant I had gained no ground whatsoever! I had to start over from square one because of those two nurses.
Laying in bed being mad may have had something to do with my blood pressure being high in the middle of the night when they woke me up to take it. WTH?
The bathroom was very very close to my bed – remember the size of my room? One night I was busy watching something on tv and just hadn’t gotten up to pee when a nurse came in and told me the other nurses were talking about scanning and catheterizing me because I hadn’t peed. I literally jumped out of bed and went into the bathroom to pee. Good grief! I thanked that nice nurse for warning me.
So I think that’s all – after recalling that whole hospital experience I remind myself that today I’m feeling great, I had superb doctors and my tumor is gone. Mayo is a wonderful place even with a few bad apples called nurses. Patients come to Mayo from around the world and we in North Iowa are lucky we’re only 2 hours away.
End of story.
Hi Mary,
My Dad had facial surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital six years ago, the nurses were great, I stayed overnight in his room two nights and we all were very happy
BUT the next year my Mom had massive abdominal surgery at Methodist Hospital, she was in for 6 days, and it was terrible, everything you said, no personal care at all. UGH i totally understand what you went through.
Glad you are home to enjoy Christmas cancer free!
A friend spent almost 2 weeks in the hospital this past summer and never once was she offered a shower. She had to ask for wet wipe things to clean herself with. It should not be the patient that needs to request these things. And she said there were too many nurses and they didn’t have enough to do because same thing, stand around the nurses station and talk.I visited her one afternoon and person after person came in with new braided hairdos because that’s what they were doing at the nurses station. And i don’t know anyone that likes to eat black bananas other than in banana bread so don’t put them on a patient tray.
Mary, The nurses should have given you a bendable straw to drink water. I can’t believe they don’t have them but maybe you should add that to your list of necessities. You really should write a letter to management. After surgery, you are in need of some tender loving care.
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone. Four of our grandchildren were here for the weekend which is the best present ever.
Mary, thanks for this list as I am facing surgery in January. After hearing everyone now I am really not looking forward to it. Hysterectomy, and they said 1 or 2 days. Hopefully it won’t be more. I’m really scared especially at my age (74) and I have a bad back so I hope they don’t hurt that. 3 hour surgery they said. and 7 holes in my stomach. My husband is wonderful, he is even more concerned, poor guy. Can I take a small quilt with me? ha, a security blanket. and maybe those eye light blockers. We just have to keep going, don’t we?
Linda – even though my stay was not exactly pleasant look at the end result! You are strong and likely won’t have a problem with the nurses as I did. Yes, I wish I had a quilt with me but had to go the night before and carry everything to the hospital very early the next morning. I had a very small rolling suitcase and my big purse. Sam had to transport all my stuff to my room. Just think of how your life will be so improved after this is over. Don’t be scared – you’re strong and you’ve got this!! Will you please remember to give us an update afterwards?
Mary, thank you so much, I really needed this encouragement. and info. I will update you. Blessings.
great list if you know you are being admitted to the hospital. this would be a good idea to have a list at home of these items on the off chance you go to the e.r. and are then admitted when you didn’t expect it. that has happened to me numerous times. i always take my phone and my kindle with me when going to e.r., doc appointment or anything to do with a hospital.
i think a pillow from home with your own pillowcase is a great idea. i had mr ed bring that to me when i was in for days or more. can layer them up and it just feels better than their pillows. the extension cord for the chargers is marvelous idea. mr. ed would bring one of those extension type things to use regular outlets and also have plugs for your phone etc. i have never had a usb available in these local hospitals unless i brought it. another thing, if you take your ipad, computer or whatever to access the internet, make sure you know all all all of your passwords and/or bring your secret password book. the things he would not think to bring are toothbrush/paste, etc., plus basic toiletries. he did bring me a brush once. a change of clothing would be good for the going home time.
great topic and one people don’t like to think about. patti in florida
I was in with diverticulitis and nothing by mouth for 4 days. I prayed for ice. On the day I could have anything the nurse said I was to take the pill with a sip of water and I might need another sip to make sure it went down and maybe another just to be sure but not the whole cup. It was ice water and it was better than a glass of champagne. Then the first soup was cream of chicken. I asked if I could have just plain broth and that was what I got for dinner. I thought well thank God I will have lost a mountain of weight and found out I GAINED 11 pounds I hadn’t gotten on the scale but the bed did it but I was thinking lots of blankets but when I got home yep 11 pounds. But Thank you God it was water gain and it disappeared in about a week but nothing more than original weight DANG.
I have an OWALLA 24 oz bottle and you can drink at any angle and it is coming with me when I have my knee replaced in February in fact I think with your suggestions I am going to pack my bag VERY SOON Thank you for the suggestions.
Glad you are healing well
My sister a nurse used to wear VERY heavy cologne yo mask the hospital smells. She worked ER but as a social worker who did home visits I stopped wearing scents and even after retiring haven’t started wearing anything. Strong scents clog my sinuses.
Angie – I can identify with that sip of water and no weight loss! All that liquid they forced into you does come out and I sure haven’t gained any weight. Maybe I lost a pound or two but after how many days of not eating I was hoping for more.
What a horrible experience you had. And trying to recover from surgery. Pitiful.
I’m sure you’ll get the form letter response if you send a written complaint. But, you could mention your the owner of a worldwide blog with thousands of followers who are very unhappy with the treatment you received while under their care. It might make a difference knowing you communicate with people worldwide.
I would suggest tagging your cords and electronic with your name and room number. Take a friction pen incase you need to change info. Hide the toothpicks. Here in Wyoming they will take them away. I’m severely allergic to toothpaste, so my dental products are a must for me.
I love that you took notes. Good and bad experiences described as well as dates and times.
Merry Christmas to all.
Jo – the toothpicks were hidden in my bag but I couldn’t get to the bag! I’ve never heard of anyone being allergic to toothpaste – so what happens to you? If I can be so bold as to ask!!
Mary, this whole experience was a nightmare that didn’t have to be. I’m so sorry you had to go through it. I too would have been crying. But I don’t know if it would have been because I was devastated by the poor care or because I was pissed. I have a bad habit of crying when I’m mad. I’m so glad this is behind you
Thank you for this detailed list. I would not have thought about taking said items and hope the necessity to pack them does not occur. Being in the hospital sounds just miserable.
I am so grateful for your continued recovery and your wonderful path results. Take Care, Mary 🥰
I can add a few things ro Mary’s list
Your own toiletries and pillow
Being a respiratory therapist I have not worn anything with a fragrance, including deodorant, for a very long time
Mary, i hate that those were your experiences, especially at hospital like Mayo.
All health care professionals need to remember that one day they may be the patient, and think how they would like to be treated.
I’m glad you are home and doing well. I know playing at your church was very special.
Merry Christmas
Laura – I did have my own toiletries but never had a chance to use them – another thing I forgot was talcum powder! Laying in bed sweating made me yearn for powder for my thighs and legs. I even thought about a pillow but remember I was only going to be there for two days and I arrived at admissions directly from the hotel. Ugh.
I had a really good experience at Mayo when I had my back surgery. I don’t remember having trouble with perfume smell. My mom had cancer in a kidney way back and her care was awful! One nurse had a terrible cold and she came in snorting and sneezing and just put her did Kleenex on mom’s tray table. She would out her light in and they didn’t come for it seemed like hours! She was like you Mary, she couldn’t wait to escape!
It is pretty mild here today, foggy overcast and now that it is time for the sun to set it cleared off. Suppose to be mild the rest of the week!
Jay and I are feeling kind of like a cold coming on, Jay worse than me. Not surprising with everyone hacking!
Have a good evening!
I won’t go into details on my trip to the emergency room with a bloody nose. I don’t know if they thought I was a bag lady, but they wouldn’t even acknowledge I was there — just a lump in the bed? They wouldn’t even listen to me on my meds. The computer was right!!!!! Well, it wasn’t! The doctor was alright and put a ‘plug’ in my nose which stopped the bleeding right then. It had been bleeding badly for about 4 hours. When I got home, my bathroom sink was plugged up with dried blood. A couple pans of boiling water took care of that. And I lived!!!
My nurse at the doctor’s office told me I was did the right thing calling 911. If it had gone on long enough, I’d passed out and since I was alone, that would probably been the end.
My husband has been gone for 6 years and the nurses weren’t like that then.
In the meantime, I’m alive like No.5 in Short Circuit!! And I’m glad for that.
Do have a merry Christmas, everybody.
Betty in Rapid City
Betty that is one of my all time favorite movies ever! “Your momma was a snowblower “
Wow!!! What an awful experience at world famous Mayo!
Have a Merry Christmas to all.
I stayed at St. Mary’s/Mayo in Rochester twice in March and I’m happy to say they have USB ports right in the beds by your head, along with a holder for a phone (I put my iPod in there and played white noise at night to try to sleep). It was very handy. They also have nice big cups with handles and a long straw for water. The slide-on shoes was a great suggestion. I had them and they worked great. I would also suggest your own pillow with a pillowcase that makes it easily recognizable as your own. It made a world of difference to me.
I’m sorry you had a hard time with some of the nurses at Methodist. St. Mary’s nurses were almost all good, though I will say I’m happy to get female nurses–male nurses don’t have the same nurturing spirit and it doesn’t seem to occur to them to do some of the things that are second nature to women.
I’m so happy for your good news post surgery. How wonderful to have that off your mind!
Mary, next time you have large pills to take, turn your head to either the left or right & take a swallow of water with the pill, it goes down so much easier.
One of the major life experiences we would all rather not come to know is more than one day in a hospital room. Thinking that it would be a challenge to relax and get any amount of decent sleep. The slides and insulated cup are a great recommendation.
Healthcare in Canada is horrible too. 24 hrs After my knee replacement my fever spiked to 102.5 so we were told to go to emergency. I was in so much pain it was unbelievable. I had gone from being able to weight bear to I couldn’t stand with my foot resting on the ground. At the hospital several times they asked me to walk here or walk there. Every time I said I had knee replacement 24 hrs ago. I’m not allowed to walk unassisted. They all just looked at me like I was nuts. The last straw was when I was seen by my surgeon and he said when she can walk well with a walker she can be released. After he left they wanted me to leave the reclining chair they had put me in and wanted me to wait three hours (which is when my ride could be there)in a regular chair with no way to elevate my leg. I refused. They weren’t happy but oh well. I also had to continually ask for ice for my knee- the one thing they told me was ice 20 min in 20 min off. And the er nurses just didn’t understand the importance of it. And they too were laughing and talking all night complaining how busy they were, on their phones, etc. The light in my cubicle finally got turned off at 3am when a nurse notice I had my coat sleeve over my eyes. After 3 nurses said. I don’t know why your light is on, it’s the only light that is on and it needs to go off and I said please turn it off. Then they would say I don’t know where the switch is and walk away.
It breaks my heart to see what healthcare is now. I worked as a nurse in the dark ages when patients and their comfort were the focus. We were stretched very thinly even then but managed to truly care for our patients. It makes me feel as though I’ll tough it out at home if I can at all do that. I’m appalled to hear of your experience, but it sadly happens all the time.
I too was a nurse “in the dark ages”. And only retired 11 years ago. We treated our patients like royalty. We were allowed to give ice chips in small amounts to patients with NG tubes. It’s a shame how Mary was treated. And to threaten with a catheter before trying to get her up first is just cruel . The last 13 years was in labor and delivery and we even got them up during labor if thy did not have an epidural. The bane of nursing is the cell phone. This is sad. And Mary I am so sad to hear of your experience.