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Advice on hospital stay, please

(43 Posts)
ninathenana Wed 25-Mar-15 18:15:06

Good luck newist

I too can vouch for not remembering anything after being sedated for a procedure.
One thing not mentioned above is a hand towel and a larger one if you are going to shower. If you have false nails they will need removing or any varnish you have used.

newist Wed 25-Mar-15 18:10:37

You really cannot imagine how much better you have all made me feel, I got back from Glasgow earlier today, very tired with legs and feet hurting from quickly having to get about, a bit upset to be told I have cancer on my face caused by sun damage which more than likely happened when I was a child .
I don't really have anyone I can ask these questions from, so thank you so much you lovely ladies for all your help,

Soutra Wed 25-Mar-15 18:10:34

Can't add much except maybe nice hand crem (to counteract "hospital smell") and maybe black out eye mask and ear plugs to block out other people's snoring and the permanent (although usually) dim light.
Hope it all goes smoothly and you are soon back with your ain folk!flowers

JessM Wed 25-Mar-15 18:10:24

iron rations in case you get hungry. Food is not ample in hospital. e.g a nice packet of shortbread. But lots of them have cafes or shops you can walk to once you are mobile. Hope it all goes well and you can escape quickly. But I guess they will want to be happy for you to fly, so may not be quite such a quick turn around as usual.

Ana Wed 25-Mar-15 18:08:13

You're right, rosequartz, I couldn't get the hang of the shower during a hospital stay and managed to soak my slippers thoroughly before I'd had a chance to take them off! grin

Mishap Wed 25-Mar-15 18:06:07

Good luck - and do not worry about the sedation - you will know nothing and you will remember nothing.

rosequartz Wed 25-Mar-15 18:05:26

All of the above, plus I would add to the list some toilet wipes to wipe the toilet seat before you use it (and anywhere else eg the handle of the flush, the door handle etc.
Some flip flops could be useful to use in the shower (the shower mat looked a bit suspect when I was in our local hospital).

loopylou Wed 25-Mar-15 18:00:17

Good Luck newist!

Ana Wed 25-Mar-15 17:57:09

Don't forget to take the charger for your mobile phone as well, if it's likely to run down while you're in hospital! They let you plug it in by your bed.

You won't have to take your ring off, although they may put tape round your finger.

loopylou Wed 25-Mar-15 17:55:01

No, they'll put tape over your wedding ring.
Face/hand wipes are very useful as Ga suggested, as are fruit sweets for a dry mouth.

newist Wed 25-Mar-15 17:51:39

It never crossed my mind about paying for TV , living here I am out of touch, will I have to take (my stuck) wedding ring off? Thanks everyone flowers

NotTooOld Wed 25-Mar-15 17:40:35

I had sedation plus a spinal injection for a hip op very recently and I knew absolutely nothing until I woke up in recovery, so I shouldn't worry about that. Tell the anaesthetist when s/he comes to talk to you before the op (as s/he will) that you want to be 'out of 'it'. I was also told I could have music if I wanted it but I wouldn't have heard it anyway!

What you need to take with you rather depends on how long your visit is. You will be wearing the hospital gown for the early stages but after the op you will need two or more nighties plus something to put round your shoulders if you are a chilly person. I bought two long t-shirt type nighties in Sainsbury and didn't need anything else as it was warm on the ward. Take something to read and maybe a puzzle book (and pen) if you like that sort of thing also moisturiser, toothbrush and toothpaste, soap and a face flannel. I took some of that special hand cleanser and kept using it. Don't forget your mobile phone and some knickers to wear under your nightie if you are shy!

Good luck, newist. It won't be as bad as you think.

grannyactivist Wed 25-Mar-15 17:34:04

What you should take if going into hospital in the UK is:
*Your glasses
*Mobile phone
*Any medication you're on (both prescribed and over the counter)
*Lip salve, tissues, hand wipes, moisturiser
*Toiletries, nightclothes, dressing gown and slippers
*Light clothing to get dressed in if you're going to be in for a few days
*Cordial, fruit, or light snacks if you usually eat between meals
*Enough money or debit card to pay for TV (expensive)
*Something to pass the time - tablet, puzzle book, novel, game, magazine
*Usual advice is not to take in valuables or lots of money, although you will have a bedside locker and staff will sometimes agree to keep things safe for you

My guess is that, from what you've said, you will likely only be in for one or two nights so don't worry if you forget something. There is usually a little shop on site that sells everything obvious that you might need.

loopylou Wed 25-Mar-15 17:28:21

You'll be fine, utterly oblivious to anything going on around you.
I had my seriously disorganised ankle manipulated under sedation and knew absolutely nothing about what went on! I would add too that I'm an absolute wimp.......

newist Wed 25-Mar-15 17:25:19

Thanks Grannyknot that's made me feel better already

Grannyknot Wed 25-Mar-15 17:13:42

I should add "your memory of the incident or the procedure" - not permanently!

Grannyknot Wed 25-Mar-15 17:13:01

Hi newist sorry to hear this! All I can tell you re the sedation, is that I can only assume it is similar to e.g. what they use for doing investigations like gastroscopy or colonoscopy and when I've had that I just remember warm fuzzy feeling and nothing else! It's as if your memory is wiped out.

Re taking what you need for a stay in hospital, I have no idea, but no doubt someone will be along soon to advise you. Good luck!

newist Wed 25-Mar-15 17:05:34

Can any of you (very knowledgeable) Gnetters advise and hopefully reassure me? I have just been diagnosed with a kind of skin cancer.
The local doctors have had a go at it, but now it has to be removed.
What I would feel much better knowing is..... I will have anesthetic but wont be completely out, because I have a heart condition and they think this is safer, I would much rather be sound asleep totally unaware of whats happening, so how spaced out will I be? they did say I can have music.
I also would like to know, because its a while since I have been in hospital, what do I take for a stay, They cannot tell me exactly how long I will be in for, which is dependent on recovery time. Being in a distant place I will have to take every thing with me on the plane, with not much chance of getting stuff if I forget anything