Not Your Average Packing List
So believe it or not, when you have brain surgery you are in the ICU for a week or so, surprise, surprise. A week of all but no sleep, every hour someone coming in to take vital and constant monitoring. I swear I have PTSD from the beeping monitors now. Anyways, since everything happened so fast I had very little time to do any research, or maybe it was more so because I was in complete denial.
But there were small things I wish I had been better prepared for like what should I pack to bring to the hospital? Cue the legal language, I am not a medical professional and these are from my own unique thoughts and experience, if you have any questions consult your doctor).
My bag originally consisted of books, magazines, headphones, clean underwear, headphones, deodorant, Hibiclens and a toothbrush. L-O-L I laugh at that list now because half of my bag was USELESS. Like I said I was in denial...I thought I was going to be able to read a book or listen to music?! Now I know I couldn't do that for months after the surgery nonetheless in the ICU. Let me be honest with you, my time in the ICU was not watching TV, reading a good book sipping a latte or good conversations. 95% of the time I was sleeping the other 4% I was having vitals taken and the final 1% was me laying there listening to the world around me trying to make sense of it all. I hope the ICU all but in the past for me but I made a list of items through the week I ended up getting and using.
1. Face wipes, yes this was a game-changer, after a few days in the ICU I started to become more aware of myself and people around me. When you're stuck in a bed and can't move for a few days you start to feel grimy they offer to give you a sponge bath but you’re poked and prodded so much you want to just be left alone. I found that moistened face wipes helped me feel clean and fresh in addition to deodorant you can apply later in the week. Being that I was nauseous for most of the time anything with a scent made my stomach turn. 2. Covered that already, deodorant. 3. Toothbrush and toothpaste, oral health kind of takes a back seat when you're in the ICU but its extremely important when you have brain surgery since the mouth is close to the brain you must avoid infections, cavities etc. It was very difficult for me to hold a toothbrush to brush my teeth, especially the first few days so during those days I would use 4. Mouthwash which I hadn't thought about until I was at the hospital. I was easily dehydrated, unsure why since I had the IV might have been the lack of water I was drinking since I wasn't active, but 5 chapstick is always nice to have on hand. As I said before a toothbrush was hard for me to hold and I felt dehydrated at times, this is where item 6, comes in. A cup with a straw, liquid foods were much easier for me to consume a sandwich took me forever to eat but a strawberry banana protein smoothie- that I could do. I had very little mobility of my head and my hands weren't steady to pick up anything to drink so a straw and cup were my best friend in the ICU and out. And now for the clothes, which I might add I packed I believe only underwear (mistake) first off you are in a gown the entire time you’re in the ICU (no underwear just in case something happens and you have to go back into surgery)...just so you know. But once I was sent to the general floor after the ICU it was amazing when they changed me into fresh clothes. I had my family running out to Lululemon around the corner bringing me fresh clothes. 7- Pack clean underwear 8- sports bra you won't want anything tight fitting on you will feel bloated and blah from all the medications. 9 pack a few bottoms, shorts were best for me, with the medication I was sweating one second and freezing cold the next but the hospital has heated blankets so shorts were best for me to wear but pack a back-up, TMI but the drain from my head opened and I had brain fluid all over my shorts, yes it was as lovely as it sounds. 10 sweatpants for when they have you walk before you can be discharged ( I had to be able to stand on my own and walk a few feet and take a few stairs….stairs, I was winded by step 3.11 zip up sweatshirt 12 loose fitting tops, remember you just had brain surgery putting things over my head...I was not thrilled about so things that I could layer with for my uncomfortable changing body temperature. Finally 13 Hibiclens, this you will need before surgery and after but it was something I kept in my bag more so to confirm it was the correct cleanser. OHH but the ride home, don’t forget to 14 pack socks for the ride home, you'll be in those funny hospital socks while you're there. 15 shoes that are easy to slide on (you'll be wheeled out in a wheelchair, you might consider slippers, long as you aren't walking). Finally, finally, 2 things I did not think of is for the ride home, have a 16 blanket and 17 pillow. I was incredibly uncomfortable leaving the hospital, it was hard to keep myself propped up in the car and I was freezing. Having a pillow to help support me and blanket would've been pretty helpful, guess we live and we learn. Overall, you have to pack what is best for you, but those are items that helped me.