Staying in the hospital- TIPS??

[karen547]

So I am hopefully having my Parathyroidectomy next week and will most likely be in for 2 weeks. I am definitely bringing some school work, along with my laptop and laptop lock, and a few books and magazines. What have any of you guys brought along with you to the hospital? I know its not meant to be pleasant but I plan on making my stay as easy as possible! Thanks!!

[monrein]

I always bring my own pillow.

[jbeany]

A small battery op fan - good for when they over heat you, and the white noise is good for sleeping.  A bag that will tie to the bed rails - there's never enough space on the little table.
A family member to keep the nurses from killing you while you are too groggy to defend yourself.

[Des]

I take an eye cover.... in ICU they never put the lights off so I cannot sleep.
slip on slippers (I could not bend to put shoes on)
fruit juice boxes.... that way you measure your own input liquid.

[natnnnat]

As a newbie to surgery I wish I had known to bring a toothbrush, as I ended up staying overnight
and throat lozenges, I didn't know about them sticking a tube down my throat
I did bring my knitting.  Made a beanie for Gregory during the waits.

[okarol]

Two weeks in the hospital? Is that typical? I thought it was a one day procedure - but I guess I just assumed that from what I had read in other posts. The best thing you can have in the hospital is a friend or family member who can stay with you the days you're on pain meds, because that's when most errors happen (wrong meds, missed symptoms, etc) but that's not always possible.
Hope all goes well!

[Stoday]

A little bottle of salt.

My hospital cooks food without salt because the average consumption is 9g whereas the optimum is 3g and max recommended 6g. A pinch of salt which makes all the difference in taste, is only 0.1g.

[chook]

My best hospital buddy is a good book and my iPod - I'm into escapism!
All the best for a problem surgery

[chook]

My best hospital buddy is a good book and my iPod - I'm into escapism!
All the best for a problem surgery

I meant "All the best for a problem-FREE surgery! Hope I haven't jinxed you.
(Spell check can only help an old blonde so much  )

[murf]

I find a small stand up clock useful as most rooms don't seem to have any wall clocks.

[Zog]

I don't know if all hospitals allow this, but Jenn is usually out of the hospital gown and into a tshirt and pyjama pants by day 2.

You may want to preemptively get some generic OsCal to have when you get home.

Get ready to have random doctors and nurse's try their skills at reading Chvostek's Sign.  Don't know what you need for that.

A stash of junk food, I mean healthy snacks, is always nice.

[Jean]

Your cell phone in case you need an emergency cheeseburger?

[paris]

Two weeks in the hospital? Is that typical? I thought it was a one day procedure - but I guess I just assumed that from what I had read in other posts. The best thing you can have in the hospital is a friend or family member who can stay with you the days you're on pain meds, because that's when most errors happen (wrong meds, missed symptoms, etc) but that's not always possible.
Hope all goes well!

What all are they doing Karen?  I also thought it was a much shorter stay. My daughter had a tumor on her thyroid, the incisions was 7 inches, they removed the plum size tumor and 3/4 of the thryoid and it was just overnight.   She slept the entire time from the meds.   I hope your stay goes well.  Please let us know how you are.  Good thoughts for you.

[aharris2]

okarol and paris, The issue with the extended hospital stay is "Hungry Bone Syndrome". After the parathyroidectomy, the bones will immediately start sucking up the calcium. You don't get out of the hospital until your serum calcium stabilizes. It takes a week plus or minus.

A family member to keep the nurses from killing you while you are too groggy to defend yourself.

I second that! If you are diabetic, bring your own blood sugar tester, insulin (severely frowned upon), and snacks.

Cell phone and charger!

Extension cord (outlet strip) for the laptop and cell phone charger.

[paris]

Thanks AHarris.        With all the members who have gone through this procedure, no one has posted this before.   We learn something everyday!!    You are a walking medical encyclopedia!!!