Thursday, September 16, 2010

Hospital Bag

Let's get realistic, I'm sure this past week won't be my first admission in the next 12 weeks. So, I guess I need to pack a bag. I'm not talking for baby, I'm thinking for me. I look at it as I am warding away evil spirits.

I'll have a bag ready for those "Ya, I want you to come in and get checked, see you in triage" moments.

On Tues, Chris and I laid in bed ALL day and were just getting ready to go grocery shopping when my headache wasn't going away. So after taking my BP and having a high reading, I decided maybe it was a fluke and I would re-check it at Publix. Well there we were in Publix calling my OB in the last minutes of the office day to tell her 2 different machines, same reading. By time we got the go ahead to come in, I had NOTHING ready. I figured it wouldn't hurt to pack some pajamas and necessities.. Which ended up being a huge help since they did keep me. But now I need a bag that is ready to go, a "no thought" type of grab and go.

So this weekend I plan on getting this all together, stick it in my closet and hope I don't drag it out for a few weeks. SO what, a few pairs of pajama pants, tank tops, a hoodie, underwear, bras, toiletries, some snacks and OMG GLEE Season 1 DVD! And most importantly, a framed picture of Nolan. Simple enough. I think I am a pretty easy going patient as long as I have cute pajamas, my laptop and my own pillows. I'm good.

Now I am hoping pre-packing this will ward away the evil spirits. Am I forgetting anything? Any suggestions?....
Things you found you couldn't live without while on hospital bed rest?

17 comments:

Katie said...

Praying you DON"T need your hospital bag for a while!! While I was preg I spent lots of time in triage, most ending in "let's admit you for 24 hour observation". After about 3 unexpected nights spent in the ugly hospital gown, I packed a bag too. My favorite thing in my bag were my soft cozy socks. I also packed a headband to keep my greasy hospital-hair out of my face.
Will continue to pray for you! :)

Kristy said...

You'll feel much more comfortable if you have your own pajamas, and your own pillow and blanket.

For when you can't take a shower-- dry shampoo and mild lotion/perfume.

More importantly -- your personal phonebook to be used to spread the blessing that is bound to come after far too much heartache

Hang in there, be positive, have faith. Praying for you.

babyrndeb said...

sounds like a plan ~ and like we always do at work...when you are prepared you never need the stuff, it is when you are not prepared that you do.
Keep hanging in there!!

Our story said...

While on bed rest I became obsessed with card games, Sudoku, and crossword puzzles. A bathrobe, fuzzy socks and my own pillows became a must in the hospital as well.

Dana said...

Slippers and socks!

Unknown said...

This is soooo not sexy but those adult body wipes, they are almost like disposable washclothes but moistened. I take them camping all the time and when I had to go to the hospital (and ultimately lost one of the boys) it was nice to be able to wipe my arms and chest and face - a little freshening up, you know? They wouldn't let me shower...

Andrea said...

Praying dilligently for you...and praying that you don't have to drag that bag out of the closet anytime soon. I'm so sorry you are experiencing these headaches honey with elevated BP. Again, I will pray for you, just as I am "right now".

And you are right, cute pajamas rock!

xxx

Kaitlyn said...

Books, crossword puzzles, warm socks, my own soap and shampoo (if your allowed to get up and shower)jornal, a calander was a big one for me so I could see my goal getting closer.
Sending good thoughts your way!

Carly said...

I think it is a good idea. I never got to pack a bag the first time around, and I'm sure you didn't either. All I had was my purse! It will feel good to have your own things and not have to keep asking people to bring you your stuff! I'm praying for you and thinking of you.

Unknown said...

How about books on tape so you can really multi-task while laying there with your computer in your lap. That way you don't have to "hold" a book.
Libby

Liz said...

i, too, hope you don't need that bag...

but i do know that pjs, my laptop, cell phone, and pillow made the world an easier place to be in...

aspen said...

OMG I would have died without my electronic Yahtzee game...seriously (it is also great entertainment while pumping LOL)


Best of luck and lots of prayers for your remaining weeks Ashley!

Erin said...

You poor thing -- I hope the bag stays in your closet until December! I definitely appreciated the "no-slip" rubbery headbands to keep my hair under control, and those disposable face wipes so I could wash my face whenever I wanted, even if I couldn't get out of bed. I would also pack a million snacks -- hospital food gets a little nauseating very quickly, and I liked having a variety of things to choose from in my vanity drawer. I also liked having trashy magazines -- I don't usually let myself read them, but they proved to be a great distraction. Hang in there!!

Christinie said...

Hair tie covered rubber bands, razor, fuzzy socks, journal and Bible. good smelling lotion!! For awhile I went in every Friday night.

Holly said...

If you have a fav blanket have that ready too!

Johanna said...

Todd says, "reading material for Chris!" Pack his favorite magazine and a book or two. I think everyone else made great suggestions for you. Especially, your favorite blanket! Praying that bag stays put by the door till December!

Lori said...

I totally hope this bag is for NOTHING! But I don't blame you for having it ready. Hoping that like having an umbrella keeps the rain away, so will this bag.

I totally second the comfy fuzzy socks or slippers--I've got a thing about my feet!!!

Also...do you have a Kindle or something similar? There are lots of free ebooks out there, as well as podcasts for ipod.