What goes into your just in case bags?

I found myself in hospital for Neutropenic Sepsis for 4 days from Saturday to Tuesday and was absolutely gutted. Managed to avoid it on Tax and it gets me on first FEC!

I was more gutted however because I had not prepared a just in case bag and my poor other half was coming up every night after work with another load of stuff I found I needed.

I have searched but maybe am looking in the wrong place and can’t find any tips.

I thought maybe we could post our can’t do without’s and questions here?

I found major problems with toothbrush storage and as many of us know,our mouths need extra care at this time. So, at the risk of annoying the nursing staff by asking for boiling water to sterilise the toothbrush everytime I cleaned my teeth, I know that should there be a next time I am going to buy disposable toothbrushes to take in.

Any tips would be gratefully appreciated, I am not the worlds most organised.

Thanks

Scrapper

Night clothes, slippers, my ‘summer’ dressing gown, at least one pair of knickers, toothbrush & sensitive toothpaste, wipes for washing, sample sized bottles of skin care stuff and hand lotion. Perhaps I should have put an extra bottle of Difflam mouthwash in as well, but I was assuming an emergency overnight stay was most likely. (So far not needed.)

It might make sense to have a list of things to be brought in case of a longer stay, which for me would include things to read, medicines (such as the Difflam), more knickers and a few bras, fruit and juice or fizzy water. I’d have to be very far gone before forgetting to grab at least one book on the way out the door. Headphones & charger for my mobile, so I could listen to the radio? Many hospitals provide a list of things they want you to bring with you or leave at home, so you could make personal additions and put it on the fridge or next to the emergency number. Perhaps change for phones or cards for using television/computer and so on, if your hospital has that system, or for magazines, snacks, etc.

I suppose you could ask for an extra drinking glass to keep a toothbrush in. I have a travel case, but would probably leave it open in the locker as more hygienic than closing it up.

I’m interested in other people’s ideas.

Cheryl

Hi Cheryl

Fantastic list you have there. I forgot hand cream as well and had to use my facial moisturiser.

I did manage to get a bottle of Difflam on ward but it was on my second day.

Thanks for your suggestions, they will definately be put to good use as I am still to have Mx after Chemo.

Our TV/Phone/Internet was operated by a card and cost £10.00 for 48 hours, including free local calls, which I thought was quite good value.

I too look forward to more ideas.

Thank you.

Scrapper

I travel so much in my normal life that I always have a set of toiletries, lipgloss, toothbrush/paste etc ready packed, although it hasn’t been used for a few months, so new toothbrush added!
So just a case of grabbing pyjamas, knickers, lightweight dressing gown, travel slippers (yes really!), book, i-pod and phone - and trying to remember to leave the work blackberry at home I think! Anything beyond a night or two and hubby would have to bring supplies - laptop springs to mind lol! But seriously, would probably want clean clothes for going home etc. too. Again, I am hoping the frequent packing for travel will mean I won’t forget too much in a hurry, but not sure about the chemo brain!

When I’ve been in for surgery, I’ve worn something I want to go home in, and so far I’ve never had to be in more than overnight, so I’ve just needed clean underwear. I’ve wound up sitting around a good part of the day waiting to go into surgery, but usually at least half that time has been in a hospital gown.

I keep samples of toiletries for travel, so it was easy to put some in the emergency bag.

Cheryl

chocolate for the emotional stuff.

I packed a bag for 4 days after reading about someone on here who developed neutropenic sepsis so had a bag ready just in case. Just as well as was in for 3 nights after fec2.
3 changes of PJ’s pants, socks, slippers, toiletries , including all the hypoallergenic skin care products. Scarfs . Most hospitals now don’t have ice machines because of health and safety so took in a metal flask with ice cubes which seemed to last until visiting time and visitors brought replacement- best present I could have had!
The hospital I was in allowed use of mobile phones as long as no long noisy conversations- but I was in isolation room anyway.
Visitors brought sweets, goodies, fruit without being asked. lol
An Ipod was also worth it’s weight in gold - not needed it since but repacked just in case,
margaret

I think earplugs are a must!! Noisy night staff always keep me awake (I’m a light sleeper), not to mention other patients who snore very loudly!!
X

I completely agree about the earplugs.

When I went in straight after FEC1 I was already in my PJs, and went in from OH’s house so there wasn’t a pile of stuff he could dump in a bag for me.

My suggestions for adding to the list, but maybe just leave the list rather than packing it all in a bag? Don’t know about you, but I don’t necessarily have enough of the things needed to be able to pack a whole bag for it to just sit around for ages. (And I’d probably lose the bag among all the rest of the crap in my house, so a list on the fridge might be something I’ll go for.)

One outfit of casual clothes, in case you feel like getting dressed while you’re in.
Sanitary towels, seeing as periods can be so squiffy if on chemo.
flannel or sponge if you use them. Can also be handy if you want a sinkful of water, as they don’t tend to provide plugs!
Hand cream - the hand wash in hospitals is notoriously drying.
Body lotion, it can be nice to smell good, and the air can be very drying too.
Kindle. Or a book or two, depending how rubbish you’re feeling you might not be up for reading anything you want to keep in your head so something very light and insubstantial rather than deep and meaningful.
Bottle of squash, if you don’t like the taste of water. It’s a good thing to keep your fluids up but sometimes there’s only so much plain water you can drink.
Some kind of music or radio. You can get very cheap and cheerful FM radios for less than a fiver. They’re rubbish if you’re moving around at all, but stuck in a hospital you should be able to find a reasonable signal. Or your ipod or phone, of course.
A pack of your favourite nibbly biscuits. Avoid food that needs to be kept cool. I found chocolate turned into mush and I was very when I eventually got round to trying the chocolate bar I just happened to have with me.
Make-up bag, if you’re into make-up. Sometimes a little swish of lip gloss can make you feel so much better.

Some hospitals ask you to bring disposable wipes instead of flannels or sponges, so it is a good idea to check any information your hospital puts out. I use little make up sponges for travel, or you could cut a slice off one to go into the emergency bag which and replace it if/when it starts to smell, if your hospital is ok with sponges.

Cheryl

Thanks ladies, fantastic advice here, already packing, not going to be caught out again.

Earplugs are now on order from Amazon, the wax ones look quite good.

CM agree about the make up too, got OH to bring in concealer and lip gloss, made the world of difference:)

xxxx

Scrapper

Dont forget your running shoes to ensure you get out as fast as possible.

And maybe a ‘difficult patient’ attitude to encourage them to send you home quickly, if they talk about keeping you in.

:wink:

Cheryl

Lol i have that and it works every time ha ha.