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What’s Included in Your Hospital ”Go” Bag?
Recently, we had some engaging conversations about hospital stays. Several members shared how they plan for hospitalizations, including having packed an emergency “go” bag.
I, too, usually have one ready, but I update it every few months. Lately, I have fallen behind. This is an important reminder of the need to prepare things in a hospital “go” bag for emergencies.
Some items I’ve included before are:
- Extra clothes
- Cute and comfy PJs( I love to have ones specifically for this bag. Think buttons and pockets to make it easy for heart monitors, IVs, etc. )
- Books and magazines
- Puzzles
- Medication lists and backups of PH medications that smaller hospitals may not have access to these.
- Copy of most recent Advance Directives and Living Wills, etc.
- My PH specialist’s and other care team’s contact info
- Phone charger
What types of things are included in your hospital “go” bag?
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9 Replies
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Come on, y’all. I bet many have a “go-bag” and stay prepared for emergency hospital visits.
Another thing I like to keep with me is paper or a notebook and pens or pencils. My late close PHriend, Moma Hen, always wanted puzzle books, pencils, dry shampoo, and nicely scented sprays when she needs in the hospital and wasn’t prepared. I’ve called the hospital gift shops many times, and they began to remember me and what I would order for them to carry up to her room. Lemon drops and other hard candies were her favorites to help with dry mouth. Ughh- that is always an issue for me when in the hospitals.
If you don’t have a go bag, do you plan on creating one?
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@jenc speaking for both myself and Cullen, we always brought at least 1 pillow for each of us from home and a throw blanket. Headphones or ear buds to listen to music or TV so we wouldn’t bother anyone else and/or they wouldn’t bother us. I also kept a phone charger in our to go bag that stayed in the bag. This was to make sure we never forgot it. We also carried an outlet strip that had a USB built in because often Cullen would find from where he would plug his phone in the cord wouldn’t reach his bed. If we received gift cards I would keep them in the to-go-bag so we would have them when we really needed them.
For caregivers my biggest advice is yes, make sure you maintain a to-go-bag for yourself and keep it stocked with over-the-counter meds like Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen, tums, whatever you know you might need. You can get these things in the gift store but they aren’t always open and you might not have the time or the energy to walk over to it.
These are the biggies that I can think of.
Brittany keeps sheets in hers. I never thought of doing that! I think that is a great idea too!
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All of those are great ideas! I just wanted to pop in and add phone chargers, chap stick, lotion and warm socks for you and your caregiver and a sweater or hoodie.
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Hi @kygon, how are you this year? You’ve been MIA; you must be getting ready for those grandbabies later this year. 😀
I love warm fuzzy socks, not the ones they give you at the hospital. You know those color-coded non-slip ones? Those are excellent additions.
Hoodies and maybe even a blanket or two from home for the patient and caregiver. Those hospital rooms are so challenging to get to the right temperature. Do y’all struggle with that too?
Chapstick is important. They usually have some generic ones at the hospital, but I typically have my own and keep in it those “secret drawers” on my bedside table. I usually have that, a brush, and maybe some hard candy or snacks on the other side, LOL.
Thanks for sharing; these are a few more essentials for the “go bag.”
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Hey JenC, yes I have been MIA.. not intentional we have been super busy and step throat decided to visit our house (not fun) and I sprained my foot and our son and expecting daughter came in from Texas for a baby shower and I am hosting the other one next month. We are also hosting a KayLyn’s memory night for her one year death anniversary, nothing huge just providing a place and food for everyone to come together lean on each other sort of thing. So I guess it is just life continuing on. But as always this community is always in our thoughts and prayers!
Good call on the blankets and brush.. Confession time, the only reason those are not in my go bag is because I keep one of each in both cars .. (I am not OCD or anything) hahaha. Great call on snacks! Hope everyone is having a wonderful year with something amazing to look forward to!! And I pray we all get a hospital free year this year, wouldn’t that just be amazing?
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Wow, @kygon, you amaze me as you never stop, girl! You know you, our caregivers, often are guilty of running themselves ragged! That wouldn’t be you, would it? 😉
Oh no, strep throat, too? I hope that’s all resolved now. Geez, and a sprained foot? Come on, confession time? Tell us you didn’t kick Bryan, hehe. You know I am kidding.
One baby shower is done already! Next month will be here soon, too, for number two. Of course, you are hosting! That’s exciting, yet such a busy time for you and your family.
How are you coping with the first anniversary of losing your beautiful KayLyn? What a hard time of year. You are in my thoughts; sending you hugs and love. ????????????
It’s incredible that you continue to think of others while dealing with your issues!
I have an idea that’s why you keep yourself so busy! I love that you are having a “lean on one another” day. Will you be enjoying some of Kay’s favorite foods? What would that include?
Too funny; I also usually have a blanket and at least one hoodie in my Jeep. No brush, though. I do have those flossers for my teeth, hehe. Thanks for sharing, and let us know how we can best support you.
Yes, no hospitalizations all year would be incredible!
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@kygon you have been on my mind. It’s nice to hear an update from you. I’m sure KayLyn’s memory night will be emotional but also heartwarming. It’s good that you and your husband will be surrounded by family and friends to remember and grieve together. My heart and prayers go out to you!
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@JenC and @Colleen, thank you both so much for all you do here and in your lives you really help everyone here!
@JenC I wink wink cheers .. you do have an idea why I stay so busy indeed. And Actually we are doing Bryan’s favorite foods because none of us can eat Kay’s without tearing (there will be enough of that) so comfort food for Bryan day as she was a daddy’s girl. so fried chicken, corn, potato’s and biscuits it is. (Actually Kay tolerated this meal LOL)
Her fave foods my chicken broccoli bake, homemade soup, make your own pizza night and donuts.. I don’t think any of us have had a donut since.. just not the same! She also asked us for regular Mcdonald chicken nugget deliveries and none of us ever said no .. LOL
Love and light to you all and have a glorious weekend!!
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Aww, big hugs for you, @kygon! You’re so kind with your heartfelt thanks to Colleen and me despite all on your plate. You truly are an inspiration.
Yeah, I thought that was a big reason you keep busy, especially this time of year. Yummy, tell Bryan I am coming over for comfort food and lots of hugs to you both. Will this comfort food meal include gravy, too? Man, it’s been a while since I’ve had that meal, my southern roots, I guess.
Now you just had to share that comfort meal as I plan to run and grab a few groceries later. And we are supposed to be keeping it healthier. However, yesterday I made a skinnier(if possible) lasagna, salad, and some fresh sourdough with garlic butter. Of course, now we have a ton left and I may need to freeze some.
I love broccoli, chicken, and rice bake with cheddar. Manny is not a huge fan, so I rarely make it since my KK is now grown and out of the house. Was that the one you made?
Too funny about the chicken nuggets. I bet Kay was spoiled rotten and could get everyone in the family to deliver those MCD nuggets often. Extra love, hugs, light, and thoughts are with y’all, girl.
Is Kay’s memory night going to be on the weekend?
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