Can you help me get an idea on what to take to hospital.

2Floridiansisters
2Floridiansisters Member Posts: 384 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Even though I still have plenty of time, I just like to be prepared well in advance. Can you give ideas on what I need while there.

Thanks Love Ronda

Comments

  • faith_trust_and_a_little_bit_of_chemotherapy
    faith_trust_and_a_little_bit_of_chemotherapy Member Posts: 319 Member
    #2
    Dear Ronda,
    Hmmm...I guess a lot depends on your procedure and how long your stay will be.

    My hospital advised me before hand and my mastectomy was a one night stay. Their gown was more comfortable than my PJs would have been. I brought a comfort blanket, something akin to a security blanket and special as it was from home. The magazines I brought went unread and I was told to leave my valuables including my cellphone at home. I always overpack when it comes to underwear so I had plenty. I basically just changed back into the clothes I had worn the prior day when it was time to go home. I was grateful I wore clothing that was easy to get on after surgery.

    My hospital had someone from the ACS visit, another woman from their women's center came with a pink gift bag and information about their services, a chaplain dropped by, not to mention my surgeon and my gynecologist both paid me visits. I was glad to get home and get some rest.

    I didn't need much at the hospital.

    Best wishes.
  • 2Floridiansisters
    2Floridiansisters Member Posts: 384 Member
    #3
    faith_trust_and_a_little_bit_of_chemotherapy said:

    Dear Ronda,
    Hmmm...I guess a lot depends on your procedure and how long your stay will be.

    My hospital advised me before hand and my mastectomy was a one night stay. Their gown was more comfortable than my PJs would have been. I brought a comfort blanket, something akin to a security blanket and special as it was from home. The magazines I brought went unread and I was told to leave my valuables including my cellphone at home. I always overpack when it comes to underwear so I had plenty. I basically just changed back into the clothes I had worn the prior day when it was time to go home. I was grateful I wore clothing that was easy to get on after surgery.

    My hospital had someone from the ACS visit, another woman from their women's center came with a pink gift bag and information about their services, a chaplain dropped by, not to mention my surgeon and my gynecologist both paid me visits. I was glad to get home and get some rest.

    I didn't need much at the hospital.

    Best wishes.

    Thanks faith trust and (I'm assumming hope)
    I'm going to be having the double mastectomy, ewwwww not because I want to it's out of necessity. But besides a loose fitting top is there anything else I'll need? I know having visitors is the last thing I'm gonna want to see.

    Thanks again, Love Ronda
  • mollymousemom
    mollymousemom Member Posts: 18
    #4
    what to wear......
    I also wore the hospital gown the first day(I had surgery on a Thursday & went home on Saturday........but wore my pj's on Friday & on Saturday, put on what I wore to hospital...had a camisole that I wore(had pockets for the drain bulbs to fit into & was quite comfy...wore my front buttoning blouse over that......I did notice that if tops & blouses were printed fabric that it wasn't as noticable that you were flat on one side...of course, you will want underware...took a note pad to write down any questions that I had...I can't remember "jack"....I slept most of time, so didn't have time to do much reading....wishing you a swift recovery & sending prayers your way.
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
    #5
    Hi Ronda
    You really don't need to bring anything. I wore the hospital gown for my one night stay. The next morning the nurse bought me toothpaste, toothbrush, soap to wash off with, and lotion. Make sure bring a button down shirt to wear home. I wore the same clothes home that I wore in the day before. They will be able to pin your drains to your shirt if you don't have pockets (which I did). Once you get home, I found pajama tops that buttoned down the front were much more convenient. Plus you may want to shop for other button down shirts (if you don't have them). They are much more easier in the beginning, especially for doctors appointments.

    When is your surgery?

    Hugs, Jean
  • 2Floridiansisters
    2Floridiansisters Member Posts: 384 Member
    #6
    Jean 0609 said:

    Hi Ronda
    You really don't need to bring anything. I wore the hospital gown for my one night stay. The next morning the nurse bought me toothpaste, toothbrush, soap to wash off with, and lotion. Make sure bring a button down shirt to wear home. I wore the same clothes home that I wore in the day before. They will be able to pin your drains to your shirt if you don't have pockets (which I did). Once you get home, I found pajama tops that buttoned down the front were much more convenient. Plus you may want to shop for other button down shirts (if you don't have them). They are much more easier in the beginning, especially for doctors appointments.

    When is your surgery?

    Hugs, Jean

    Hi Jean
    I'm one of those people that get everywhere a half hour early, LOL I just like knowing what's gonna happen. So did any of you bring your toothbrushes, heck I'll probably be too sore to even do that.

    I think my surgery will be in September but it's not scheduled yet. I will finish chemo if all goes according to plan on August 25th. Then I get the yucky double mastectomy.............ewwwwwww

    Thanks, Love Ronda
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
    #7
    2Floridiansisters said:

    Hi Jean
    I'm one of those people that get everywhere a half hour early, LOL I just like knowing what's gonna happen. So did any of you bring your toothbrushes, heck I'll probably be too sore to even do that.

    I think my surgery will be in September but it's not scheduled yet. I will finish chemo if all goes according to plan on August 25th. Then I get the yucky double mastectomy.............ewwwwwww

    Thanks, Love Ronda

    HI Ronda
    Me too, I hate being late. Yes, definitely take a toothbrush, in case they don't give you one. I actually was happy to brush my teeth & wash my face the next day. I only had a mastectomy of my left breast and a reduction of my right breast. My last chemo treatment is August 25th too. Keep in touch and let me know when your surgery is. Hugs, Jean
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #8
    I just wore
    I just wore the johnny for my 2 night stay. The hospital gave me toothbrush, paste and soap & lotion the next day. I wore the same shorts home, clean undies and I brought a camisole that held my drains which I wore under a button front blouse. I was also told to leave all valuables home. I did bring a comb, brush, crossword puzzle book, pencil and a paperback book I had been reading. I slept a lot too. A nice young woman from ACS came by with a tote full of items w/info, a cookbook, etc....
    Char
  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    #9
    cahjah75 said:

    I just wore
    I just wore the johnny for my 2 night stay. The hospital gave me toothbrush, paste and soap & lotion the next day. I wore the same shorts home, clean undies and I brought a camisole that held my drains which I wore under a button front blouse. I was also told to leave all valuables home. I did bring a comb, brush, crossword puzzle book, pencil and a paperback book I had been reading. I slept a lot too. A nice young woman from ACS came by with a tote full of items w/info, a cookbook, etc....
    Char

    Hi Ronda. In addition to
    Hi Ronda. In addition to what others have suggested, you might want to take a robe and slippers or sandals for walking the halls. I would recommend any toiletries that you'd normally use: even though they gave me a toothbrush, it didn't work that well. My hospital actually encouraged the use of cell phones, so they are all different.

    Joyce
  • MNLynn
    MNLynn Member Posts: 224
    #10
    hospital - what to bring
    I agree with the others - bring a top that closes in the front - buttons or zipper or whatever (I had a mastectomy - rt breast). I like my flavored water, so I brought some of that with me. And the notepad is a great idea - questions definitely came up while I was in the hospital that I wanted to ask my doctor - and you can also write things down that the nurses & doctors tell you (that may not actually be written out in your take-home instructions). Hope all goes well!!!
  • Scotch Freckles
    Scotch Freckles Member Posts: 273 Member
    #11
    Not Much
    I only took my tooth brush,slippers, and wore comfortabale clothes to and from hospital. My husband brought a nice pillow along for the ride home to rest my arm on, which was greatly appreciated. You won't fell like getting dressed when it is time to go home, and when you get home you will want to just go back to bed. So dress comfortable for returning to bed. Take care.
  • 2Floridiansisters
    2Floridiansisters Member Posts: 384 Member
    #12
    Scotch Freckles said:

    Not Much
    I only took my tooth brush,slippers, and wore comfortabale clothes to and from hospital. My husband brought a nice pillow along for the ride home to rest my arm on, which was greatly appreciated. You won't fell like getting dressed when it is time to go home, and when you get home you will want to just go back to bed. So dress comfortable for returning to bed. Take care.

    Oh heavens thanks jk...
    I completely forgot about a robe and slippers! Yes I definitely think I might need those items, and that pillow suggestion too for the ride home. Thanks ladies!!!

    Love Ronda
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #13
    2Floridiansisters said:

    Oh heavens thanks jk...
    I completely forgot about a robe and slippers! Yes I definitely think I might need those items, and that pillow suggestion too for the ride home. Thanks ladies!!!

    Love Ronda

    yes I was going to mention
    yes I was going to mention the pillow, I had a small one from target that I ended up using quite a bit to position my arm I took it with me everytime i went in the car. You might need a bigger one for the ride home but a couple of smaller ones to aid in positioning.
  • mollymousemom
    mollymousemom Member Posts: 18
    #14
    I forgot
    to say that I had my husband bring one of my bed pillows when he picked me up to go home....I guess I was paranoid about getting in a car crash on way home......I put the pillow in fron of me to cover my breast & hooked the seat belt over it.....kept the seat belt from pressing on the surgery site & I thought gave ma a bit of added protection if I did happen to get in an accident......I used that pillow everytime I went anywhere...it added to my comfort......
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #15
    mollymousemom said:

    I forgot
    to say that I had my husband bring one of my bed pillows when he picked me up to go home....I guess I was paranoid about getting in a car crash on way home......I put the pillow in fron of me to cover my breast & hooked the seat belt over it.....kept the seat belt from pressing on the surgery site & I thought gave ma a bit of added protection if I did happen to get in an accident......I used that pillow everytime I went anywhere...it added to my comfort......

    I felt it was nice to rest
    I felt it was nice to rest my arm on too as it just felt less painful.
  • slynch
    slynch Member Posts: 82
    #16
    Pillow
    The nicest thing I got was a small pillow that my sister-in-law made for me. It was pink and she embroidered hope, love, faith and courage on it. It goes around your neck but hangs over your breast area to keep the seat belt in the car from laying across your chest. I never would have thought of such a thing but I cannot tell you how greatful I was for that pillow since I had an hour and a half ride to get home. I used it over and over again for trips back to the doctor. I guess any small pillow would do as long as it keeps the seat belt away from your chest.

    It could also be used over your shoulder so that the bulk of the pillow was under your arm. This was great for the side that they checked the lymph nodes on.
  • wendybia
    wendybia Member Posts: 73
    #17
    mollymousemom said:

    I forgot
    to say that I had my husband bring one of my bed pillows when he picked me up to go home....I guess I was paranoid about getting in a car crash on way home......I put the pillow in fron of me to cover my breast & hooked the seat belt over it.....kept the seat belt from pressing on the surgery site & I thought gave ma a bit of added protection if I did happen to get in an accident......I used that pillow everytime I went anywhere...it added to my comfort......

    car crash
    when i went home they told me to sit in the back seat (cause of the airbag) and only get in a car for doc appts. until they ok'd me to drive
  • wendybia
    wendybia Member Posts: 73
    #18
    mollymousemom said:

    I forgot
    to say that I had my husband bring one of my bed pillows when he picked me up to go home....I guess I was paranoid about getting in a car crash on way home......I put the pillow in fron of me to cover my breast & hooked the seat belt over it.....kept the seat belt from pressing on the surgery site & I thought gave ma a bit of added protection if I did happen to get in an accident......I used that pillow everytime I went anywhere...it added to my comfort......

    car crash
    when i went home they told me to sit in the back seat (cause of the airbag) and only get in a car for doc appts. until they ok'd me to drive
  • wendybia
    wendybia Member Posts: 73
    #19
    mollymousemom said:

    I forgot
    to say that I had my husband bring one of my bed pillows when he picked me up to go home....I guess I was paranoid about getting in a car crash on way home......I put the pillow in fron of me to cover my breast & hooked the seat belt over it.....kept the seat belt from pressing on the surgery site & I thought gave ma a bit of added protection if I did happen to get in an accident......I used that pillow everytime I went anywhere...it added to my comfort......

    car crash
    when i went home they told me to sit in the back seat (cause of the airbag) and only get in a car for doc appts. until they ok'd me to drive
  • wendybia
    wendybia Member Posts: 73
    #20
    mollymousemom said:

    I forgot
    to say that I had my husband bring one of my bed pillows when he picked me up to go home....I guess I was paranoid about getting in a car crash on way home......I put the pillow in fron of me to cover my breast & hooked the seat belt over it.....kept the seat belt from pressing on the surgery site & I thought gave ma a bit of added protection if I did happen to get in an accident......I used that pillow everytime I went anywhere...it added to my comfort......

    car crash
    when i went home they told me to sit in the back seat (cause of the airbag) and only get in a car for doc appts. until they ok'd me to drive
  • wendybia
    wendybia Member Posts: 73
    #21
    wendybia said:

    car crash
    when i went home they told me to sit in the back seat (cause of the airbag) and only get in a car for doc appts. until they ok'd me to drive

    sorry
    about the multiple post

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